The only constant in life is change. For many of us, that change means outgrowing our homes. Maybe there’s a baby on the way, or siblings who once happily shared a room are becoming teenagers and need more privacy. Or perhaps a recently purchased home is in the perfect neighborhood, but the house itself is older and lacks a true primary suite. Whatever the reason, you're left with managing the limited space you have, moving to a new home, or expanding.

If expansion is your plan, there are essentially three options: dig down, pop out, or build up. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages and deciding on the ideal approach can be challenging. But educating yourself on what is involved in the design and construction process, as well as how your choices will impact project costs, is a great place to start.

Digging Down

The notion of a dark, dank, and stale basement is a thing of the past. Today, clever designs and high-end finishes can transform this once-maligned area into a cozy, intimate space perfect for family and friends to gather. From playrooms and home cinemas to bedrooms, offices, home gyms, or even your own bar, the possibilities are endless.

To make this happen, construction crews will need to dig around the property, potentially disturbing flowerbeds, outdoor play areas, and patios. However, this disruption presents an opportunity for you to build back better. If that was something you were already considering, your expansion project will be the perfect time to also cultivate your dream backyard.

Creating or renovating a basement is especially valuable in cities like Santa Monica, Culver City, or Los Angeles, where lots are small and space is at a premium. Plus planning and zoning restrictions in these areas may even prohibit you from building up or out as you may have originally envisioned. So, if your home is in a high-density area, your best, and sometimes only, option is to dig down. Also, in Los Angeles, the square footage used for a basement does not count towards your maximum allowable square footage, if certain requirements are met, allowing you to increase the size of your home beyond what is otherwise allowed. Talk about a bonus!

The challenge with this option is bringing natural light and airflow into a subterranean space. Any good architect, design-build firm, or general contractor understands this and will provide solutions tailored to your site's specifics. They will also ensure the space is properly waterproofed, the house is supported during construction, the stairs are carefully planned and positioned, and the new basement is seamlessly integrated with the rest of the house.

Digging Down Pros:

• Perfect solution for tight neighborhoods and lots
• Great for secondary spaces you don’t want on your main floor
• You can retain your yard space
• Bonus square footage

Digging Down Cons:

• Expensive and complex
• Requires extensive waterproofing and shoring
• Less natural light and ventilation
• Digging up the yard, including plants and patios

Building Out

The lateral expansion of your home is considered the most affordable option of the three, as it can be done without significantly affecting the existing structure. If your property has enough undeveloped, useable square footage and you want to leave most of your home untouched, the build-out option is an excellent choice.

It is generally easier than digging down or building up, as it avoids the need for adding a staircase. With good architectural planning and design, you can create extra space for rooms like your primary suite while keeping important areas, such as the living room, intact.

Building out can also improve curb appeal by dramatically change the exterior appearance of your home. However, there is a trade-off—expanding outward reduces your yard space, and that loss may not be ideal for everyone.

Building Out Pros

• Avoid major structural changes to the existing home
• Easily accessible, no staircase required
• Great for creating more space for some rooms while leaving the others untouched
• Least expensive

Building Out Cons

• Takes up yard space
• Potential missed opportunity for views

Building Up

When it comes to creating more space in your home, the hands down most popular option is building up. By literally taking your home to the next level, you benefit from increased natural light, ventilation, and better views than your original home offered.

A second story also increases the square footage of your home while preserving yard space and can add considerable value. With the significant changes to the look of the home's massing, rooflines, and materials, your curb appeal reaches new heights too.

However, most existing houses were not engineered to support a second story that meets today’s strict code requirements. As such, your contractor will likely need to open up walls and floors to structurally reinforce the home and prepare it to handle the added weight.  And like the digging down, you will also need to find the right spot for a staircase. This means you may have to partially remodel the existing floorplan, which results in additional budget costs.

But, if you love your location and building up seems to be your best option, just hire a great, licensed architect and general contractor and they will help you make it happen.

Building Up Pros

• More value added to your home
• Better lighting
• Better views
• Maintains yard space

Building Up Cons

• More significant structural upgrades
• Typically requires extensive work on the main floor
• More expensive

Ultimately, your choice of which option is best is often determined by your budget and location. Whether you’re building up, out, or down, it's important to understand that all of these modifications come with a cost. The surest path to success is to hire a great licensed architect or a design-build firm like LETTER FOUR. We’re a local, full-service design and construction firm, ready to provide honest, expert advice on the best choice for you and your family.

Reach out to us and say hello! We look forward to hearing from you!