OT-anyone built a house or done major renos

[mommytodarlings]

We are trying to decide what to do with our house. Right now a 3 bedroom bungalow just isn't enough for our family of 6.

We have looked at some houses in our area and we would have to spend at least $350,000 for a 5 bdrm home.

We like our location, have a huge lot 68X215' so we have the room to add on and it would definitely add to the value for the area we are in. We talked to a builder a few years ago and he said the cost was about $100 a square foot for an addition.

Just wondering if this is still roughly the same and has anyone done major renos recently? Was it terrible trying to live in the mess.

We are thinking of a 2 storey addition on the back of the house.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[maryliz]

HI there. If I had a lot that big, no way would I ever get rid of it. We paid a lot premium of over 8K to get a lot that's 32x123 on one side and 32-115 on the other side of the house. If you can do the reno, I'd go for it. I don't know what city you live in, but for a 5 bedroom here in London, you're definitely looking well over 300K for a new house.

Good Luck!

 

[jtdl]

We totally renovated and had an addition put on our house before we moved into it, so I can't really answer your question about living with the mess. The addition was pretty much up and built before they cut the doorway into the existing part of the house, so there really wouldn't have been any mess from construction of the addition until after the outside walls were built - just the finishing carpentry - drywall, etc. The drywall installation does cause most of the mess but I think as long as you covered the doorway with plastic, the majority of the dust and mess would stay within the addition. If you are in the city with a lot that big, I would definitely think about keeping it!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I agree - keep the lot and put up with the mess!!

We just bought new and our lot is 41X147 and we paid a premium of $4K for that small area.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

Yes, the price is approx $100 sq foot for an addition. And that should be high quality - pot lights, hardwood, etc.

If I had a lot that huge I would stay, the property will only appreciate. Our 4 bedroom on a 40x120 is $400,000 and we are in between Toronto and Barrie!

 

[mommytodarlings]

We decided we are staying and doing an addition.

We are in Cambridge and the other nice thing about our property is it backs onto conservation land to the Grand River, so no one is behind us.

Now, just getting through renos with 4 small kids and 2 dogs should be fun, lol.

 

[F4disneyfan]

We are in the process of a full on reno the outside is pretty much complete and the inside starts in the spring. We looked at moving also and the lots are just way way to small anymore. We are going to look into it again when the mortgage is up for renewal at that time it will almost be paid off also.

 

[tigger2on]

Have a Huge lot in prime Etobicoke area... it was a "spur of the moment" buy as it had a ramp into the back of the house with a main floor in-law suite to meet Ryleigh's needs. (She is wheelchair bound, non-mobile, non-verbal and 100% dependent) However we have some issues that will need to be met...
The inlaw addition is not attached to the house's heat and air conditioning... we use an electric heater in winter, there is a gas fireplace in the sitting/ kitchenette area as well as a built-in air conditioner. It doesn't do much for Ry though.
So that's one thing we need to do... plus we need to make the ensuite bathroom accessible... replace the bath with an accessible shower, wheel-under sink and vanity and higher toilet.
We also have a horrible fromt enterance... when you open the door, if there is more than 1 person, you have to stand on the stairs to close the door. We want to add a front covered porch room with the outside door to the side to stop the breeze from flying up into the bedrooms upstairs.
And last our 3rd upstairs bedroom is like a large walk-in closet... not big enough for a single bed. It is great as a nursery or toddler room but eventually we need to extent onto the back addition and make it a bigger functional room.
We have no idea how much this will cost, nor do we have the $$ but these are the bare necessities that need ot be done betwwen now and 2010ish.
Not to mention a wheelchair accessible van, new driveway, new furnace and possibly a new air-conditioner.
If anyone has a good tip on lottery #'s, a horse race or just a spare amout of cash lying around... pls. feel free to donate in our direction. :O)