Do you need a new bathroom? Do you want a new and functional kitchen? Maybe you want to add a second story to your home. A home expansion can be very involved with decisions about home addition costs, home addition floor plans, building materials, and financing. It's not something you go into lightly. The best home additions provide increased value for your home while at the same time increase the home's livability. Start first by deciding all the things you really want and need. Then prioritize that list and narrow it down. You may be able to include most of what you want but your budget will be a determining factor. Here is a list of the most popular projects for home additions. In no particular order: 1) You simply need more space: A growing family, more "things", more visitors ... and many other reasons create the need for more space. This is the most popular reason to add on. 2) To build more equity in the home: This could be considered a by-product of all the other reasons for a home addition. But, many people add on just for the potential to create equity ... especially if they're in the smallest home in the neighborhood. 3) To gain more storage space: Storage seems to be one of the most sought after features of a home. Certainly, a home with inadequate storage space is a liability. Additions of a garage and RV and boat shelters are included in this. 4) To add an entertainment center, billiards room, hobby/exercise room: These popular add-ons can really make a home fun. As going out for recreation becomes more expensive, having fun at home becomes more attractive. 5) Create a rental unit for income: It's important to comply with local codes regarding number of units on the property and the number of families that can legally live there. Added and ongoing income can be very attractive. 6) Creating private but accessible living quarters for aging parents/in-laws: This is a growing need. Again, codes can be restrictive but the personal value of this expansion can be considerable. 7) Building a home addition for a home business: Often, homes need more space for a home business and home businesses can benefit from separate access that doesn't require going through the home. Proper design goes a long way towards making this work well. 8) Expanding popular living spaces like Great Rooms, Family Rooms, & Dining Rooms: Very often these cannot be achieved through a simple remodel. Extra square footage is needed. 9) Adding a bathroom: A very popular home addition. It is most common when a master bedroom has no master bath or when a family grows too big for the number of bathrooms currently in the home. 10) Adding a laundry room: Older and smaller homes often had no separate laundry rooms. For this reason, laundry room additions have become quite popular. 11) Sunrooms, screened porches, and green houses: Outdoor living is in. These will likely become more and more popular in coming years as well. Home additions represent a major home improvement. This requires professional help. You can start with an architect, General Contractor, or a Home Building Coach. I prefer a home building coach. Either way, get professional help from the start. So, the “best” home addition for your money is the addition that suits your needs and fulfills your dreams.