Home Additions and Structural Expansions
Second storeys, rear extensions, and garage conversions that read as original to the house.
Adding to a house is the most technically demanding residential work there is. You are cutting into a building that is already carrying load, tying new structure into old framing that has moved over decades, and keeping the existing home weathertight and habitable while you do it.
We manage additions as engineered projects from day one, with a structural engineer involved before design is finalized and a weather protection plan that assumes Lower Mainland rain rather than hoping for a dry window.
Types of Addition We Build
Second storey additions gain the most space but require the existing foundation and walls to be assessed for capacity, and often need reinforcement. Rear and side extensions are generally simpler structurally but are constrained by setbacks and lot coverage limits. Garage conversions and above-garage additions are frequently the best value on a tight lot because the foundation and roof structure already exist.
Which one makes sense for you is a function of your lot, your zoning, your existing structure, and your budget. We look at all of it before recommending a direction, and we will tell you honestly when an addition is not the most economical way to get what you want.
Keeping the House Liveable While We Build
Most clients stay in the home through an addition. That requires real planning: temporary weather protection at the tie-in, dust and noise separation between the work zone and the living area, maintained access to services, and a sequence that limits how long any part of the house is exposed.
On second storey work there is usually a period where the roof is open, and we plan that phase tightly with tarping systems and a forecast watch. It is the highest-risk window in the whole project and it gets the most attention.
Quote: Home Additions
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What This Service Covers
- Second storey additions
- Rear and side extensions
- Garage conversions to living space
- Above-garage additions
- Structural engineering coordination
- Foundation underpinning and reinforcement
- Roof tie-ins and reframing
- Exterior envelope matching
- Mechanical and electrical system extension
- Permit applications and inspections
- Sunroom and covered outdoor additions
- Interior reconfiguration to suit new space
Our Process on Every Project
The same five stages whether the job is a powder room or a custom home.
Consultation and Site Visit
We walk the property with you, listen to what you want, and give you a realistic read on scope, budget range, and timeline before anyone commits to anything.
Detailed Quote and Scope
You get an itemized written estimate with allowances stated at realistic numbers, not placeholders designed to look good and blow out later.
Design, Engineering, and Permits
We coordinate drawings, structural engineering where required, and the full permit application with your municipality, and we manage inspections through to sign-off.
Construction and Weekly Updates
One project manager, one schedule, and a written update every week covering progress, what is next, and any decisions we need from you.
Walkthrough, Deficiencies, and Handover
We walk the finished project with you and build a deficiency list. Everything on it is corrected before final payment, and you receive a full warranty and specification package.
Home Additions Questions
The questions clients ask most about home additions.
How long does a home addition take?
Plan on six to twelve months end to end for a significant addition. Design and engineering typically take one to three months, municipal permitting another two to four depending on the jurisdiction, and construction four to eight.
Second storey additions sit at the longer end because of the structural review involved and the weather sensitivity of the roof-off phase.
Will the addition match the rest of the house?
That is the goal on most projects and it is achievable with attention to roof pitch, eave detail, window proportion, siding profile, and trim reveal. Matching exactly can be difficult when original materials are discontinued or when existing finishes have weathered.
Where a perfect match is not possible, the better result is often a deliberate, considered contrast rather than a near-miss. We show you both directions during design.
Do I need a structural engineer?
Yes, for essentially any addition. Municipalities require engineered drawings and sealed documentation for new load paths, beams, foundation work, and lateral resistance.
We coordinate the engineer directly as part of the project, so you are not managing a separate consultant relationship alongside the build.
Can I add a second storey to any house?
Not always. The existing foundation and wall framing have to be capable of carrying the additional load, and zoning has to permit the resulting height and floor area ratio.
Older homes on shallow or unreinforced foundations sometimes need underpinning, which adds significant cost. We get an engineer to assess capacity early, before you invest in full design.
What does an addition cost per square foot?
Additions cost more per square foot than new construction because of the demolition, the tie-in work, the weather protection, and the constraints of working around an occupied house. Expect a meaningful premium over a comparable new build.
We price additions as a full scope rather than a square foot rate, because the tie-in and structural work is where the real cost sits and it varies enormously between houses.
What happens if we find something unexpected once walls are open?
On older homes it happens: knob and tube wiring, undersized framing, rot at a sill plate, or a foundation that is not what the drawings suggested. We carry a contingency line in every addition estimate for exactly this.
When we find something, you get a written change order with the cost and schedule impact before we proceed. You will never get a surprise on the final invoice.
Home Additions Across the Lower Mainland
We deliver this service throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Select your city for local detail on permits, housing stock, and site conditions.
Other Services
Kitchen Renovations
Custom cabinetry, stone surfaces, structural openings, and the trades coordination that keeps a kitchen build on schedule.
Explore ServiceBathroom Renovations
Ensuites, main baths, and powder rooms with waterproofing done to standard, not to the minimum.
Explore ServiceBasement Development & Suites
Unfinished basements into living space or a legal, permitted, revenue-generating suite.
Explore ServiceReady to Talk About Your Home Additions Project?
Book a free site visit and get an itemized written estimate with no obligation.