Are you long dreaming to have your own house? Who doesn’t want to have a place they can call their own home, right? On one hand, some would prefer renting to be near their place of work or because they are not able to afford a house yet. On the other hand, some would avail mortgage loans for a property of their choice.

Meanwhile, some homeowners do not want to relocate and consider building a home addition instead. In building a home addition, a lot of people would still choose affordable home additions that will save them extra money afterward. But before that, it is a good idea to know your home addition options.

Pre-fab or build from scratch?

For one thing, buying a brand-new house can cost you a lot of money. But for some reason, many home buyers are still able to afford it. Some may have saved enough money for a downpayment. Meanwhile, some are able to avail of a mortgage loan in order to buy a real estate property or home addition.

On the other hand, there are others who choose a pre-fabricated home addition instead of building entirely from scratch. By availing a pre-fabricated or modular home addition, it is said to be cheaper and requires less time to assemble. But if you want a customized home addition design, building from scratch is a good option for you.

Both options come with a price, although pre-fab houses are cheaper than hiring a home addition builder and construct from scratch. However, it will still depend on how big your home addition, bump-out, or attic renovation will be. Nonetheless, you should consider your home building options carefully.

Pre-fab home addition: Pros and cons

Also known as “building systems”, prefabricated homes are getting popular these days. For one thing, these are more affordable and easier to build and assemble. The cost per square foot depends on the total size, location, and other amenities included in the package. As the name suggests, pre-fab homes are constructed prior to shipment and then assembled in a specific site within a few days.

There are also different types of prefab homes you can choose from. Each of these pre-fab homes has different construction methods and also vary in costs. They also have different designs and built that will suit every homeowner’s needs and preferences.

As mentioned, pre-fabricated homes are more affordable than building a new one. They are also easier and faster to build – some even take only a day to complete. Plus, pre-fab homes can be disassembled and rebuilt in another location depending on the need.

On the downside, pre-fab homes may be limited in terms of customization. If you want a customized house, pre-fab homes may not be a good option for you. It is also recommended that you are near a pre-fab home factory so that you won’t much on transporting the materials to your property. You may encounter zoning issues along the way, so it is best to update yourself with the latest zoning standards in your area.

Building from scratch: Pros and Cons

Meanwhile, there are other homeowners who think that building a bump-out or a home addition from scratch is a better choice. Apparently, some of the building materials’ components come with a warranty which can help a lot in case of structural issues in the future. Roof and appliance replacement may not be necessary when building a new home because everything else is most likely brand-new.

As mentioned, building from scratch enables you to customize your bump-out or home addition accordingly. Likewise, you can adjust your budget according to your home needs. However, there is that constant rise in building materials and finding land to build your house (unless you already have one).

Conclusion

Some would say that building a home addition from scratch is better than choosing a pre-fabricated home, or vice versa. However, it all goes down to your personal housing needs. If you are not sure, you can discuss such matters with a professional home addition builder.

At the end of the day, it will be your budget and your personal needs that should be taken into consideration. You can choose a fast and easy installation or a customized home addition. There is no right and wrong answer here. For your home addition needs, just contact the best home remodeling architects in DC today!