Every year, a dozen families sit at our table with the same dilemma: the house is too small, but everything else is right. Here's how we help them decide — with a calculator, not a sales pitch.
The true cost of moving
Start with what leaving costs before you price what staying costs. Selling and buying a $450,000 home typically burns 8–10% in realtor commissions, closing costs, transfer taxes and the move itself — that's $36,000–$45,000 gone before the new house gets a single improvement. Then add the premium: bigger homes in the same school district routinely list $80,000–$150,000 above what yours sells for.
The true cost of adding on
A 300-square-foot family room addition in our area typically lands in the same range as those transaction costs — except you keep it in the form of walls, windows and square footage that appraises. A primary suite addition costs more; a sunroom or converted garage costs less. All of it adds to the home you already love, on the street you already chose.
Three questions that decide it
1. Do you love your location? If the schools, commute and neighbors are right, moving trades a space problem for a location gamble. Add on.
2. Can your lot take it? Setbacks, coverage limits and septic fields decide what's buildable. We check all three free during a consultation visit — most lots can take more than owners think.
3. Is the house worth investing in? If the roof, foundation and systems are sound, an addition is an investment. If everything is failing at once, we'll tell you to move — and we have, more than once.
Our rule of thumb: if you love where you live, build where you live. Read how additions work in practice on our home additions page, or bring us your dilemma — the visit is free either way.
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