Is It Cheaper to Build Up or Out?
In most areas, building outwards is significantly cheaper than trying to build upward, but it often depends on the price of real estate and labor in your area. The reason building out is typically cheaper is because building upward requires more labor, more materials, several permits, as well as the help of a structural engineer.
Because of the extra labor and materials required with building upwards, the only time you can safely assume it’s cheaper is when you’re dealing with extremely high-priced land. Even then, you still might find yourself asking others, “Is it cheaper to build a second story or build out?”
If you can buy land to build out with, do it. There are only a handful of areas where buying land can become a significant issue, and most of them are cities. So, if you have a house in Brooklyn or Manhattan, you might be better served by building upwards.
Factors Influencing if it's Cheaper to Build Up or Out
- Land Availability and Cost: If land is scarce or expensive, building up may be more cost-effective.
- Structural Feasibility: The existing structure must be evaluated to determine if it can support additional stories without excessive reinforcement costs.
- Zoning and Building Codes: Local regulations may influence the decision, such as height restrictions or setback requirements.
- Project Scope and Needs: Consider the purpose of the expansion and how it fits with the current use of the property.
- Budget: Evaluate the overall budget, including both immediate construction costs and long-term maintenance and utility costs.
Why Is Building Up So Expensive?
- Extra Labor
- Extra Materials
- Permit Costs
It’s all about stability and safety. Simply put, it takes a lot more effort to make sure a home stays stable with several thousand pounds added on than it does to add another room on solid ground. Not all homes are sturdy enough to expand upwards without additional help, while there are no such concerns when building out.
1. Extra Labor
Because building up means that you’re tacking on an extra room or two to your first floor, there’s a good chance that you may need to add structural support to keep your home stable. You also will need to have a structural engineer check out your home to see whether or not you will need to do any additional repairs.
Moreover, it’s important to realize that building up also means removing the roof and parts of the home that are already there. Since this is more involved than your typical outward move that may just require demolishing a wall and removing siding, your labor costs will also increase.
2. Extra Materials
No matter what your extra room will be used for, there will be certain things that you will need to buy that wouldn’t be necessary for outward expansion. For example, a typical first-floor expansion will not need stairs, additional support beams, or materials that involve adding extra sturdiness to your flooring.
When you have an upward expansion, you’re going to need those things. With regular outward additions, all you really have to worry about are the basics—like electrical wiring and plumbing. This makes building outward a lower-cost endeavor in most cases.
3. Permit costs
No one likes to think about permits, but they do have to be considered when working with a remodeling project. Since there is an inherent risk with building upwards, most cities will require additional permits and inspections to make sure that everything is safe. This, too, adds on money to your price tag.
How Much Easier Is It To Expand Outward?
It's typically much easier to build out than to build up. This is because it usually requires less money, takes less time, and is easier to plan. Barring any sort of major permit obstacle or a lack of land, most people find expansions outwards to be a far easier type of renovation to work with.
Reasons to Expand Out
- Cheaper
- Easier Planning
- Fewer Repairs
- Faster
- Space is Often Already Available
1. Cheaper
The biggest reason to expand out instead of up is that it is cheaper. You'll need to spend less money to build out as you don't have to worry about costs related to stairs and other materials that are required to build up.
2. Easier Planning
Planning is also more straightforward when building out. If you dislike having to jump through hoops to get stuff going, then building out is almost always the better choice. Even planning how you’re going to be able to add additional structural boosters can take a while!
Attaining permits is usually easier, too. Townships are well aware of the issues that come with building up instead of building out. As a result, permits are often harder to attain, with some areas going so far as to ban building up entirely.
3. Fewer Repairs
Another pro of building out vs building up is that fewer repairs need to be made. When you build up, you often have to repair the wear and tear that occurred on your existing structure before anything else can be done. This usually eats up both time and money.
4. Faster
Expanding upwards usually takes longer. Because of all the added work (structuring, roof removal, etc.), opting for an upward expansion can take several months longer than an outward expansion.
5. Space is Often Already Available
Most people have enough land to add an extra room or two. It also comes down to availability. In most cases, people have enough space to build out. This means a lot less hassle.
Why Should You Expand Your Home?
Ask any homeowner who’s currently doing an addition onto their home, and they’ll probably give you a different reason for wanting their expansion. There’s no one-size-fits-all reason to expand a house. Some of the more popular reasons include:
- Expanding the family: Many home addition projects get their start from having another child or deciding to make the switch to a multigenerational home.
- Increasing property value: Bigger homes are generally seen as being more desirable and can command a bigger price tag.
- Getting a home office: If you work out of your home, you might want to get a room that’s entirely dedicated to it. This is one of the few ways to make an expansion into a tax advantage for you.
- As a treat: Sometimes, people want to expand their homes because they’ve always wanted a dedicated room for themselves. Who wouldn’t want their own hobby room?
- Keeping up with the neighborhood: Let’s face it. No one wants to be the tiniest house on the block. If everyone else is expanding, it’s safe to say you might feel the pressure to do so, too.
How To Choose Your Expansion Style
Obviously, the perks of building out are very real, but building out isn’t for everyone. Even if it is the cheaper option, there are certain moments where building up might be a better option. For example, if you don’t have the land or building out, it would turn your home into an eyesore, and upwards is a better choice.
At times, building outwards won’t be feasible. For example, if your township has a law that bars the use of additional land for home expansions, building upwards may be the only way to get the extra room you want.
Is it Cheaper to Build Up or Out Bottom Line
In most cases, the answer is that building your home outwards is going to be cheaper than building up. However, having it as a cheaper choice doesn’t mean that it’ll be the best possible solution for you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether building up or out is better; it depends on specific circumstances and project requirements. Generally, building out can be simpler and cheaper if land is available and affordable, while building up may be more cost-effective in areas with high land costs and limited space. Careful consideration of structural, regulatory, and financial factors is essential to making the right decision.