Residential additions are a great way to expand living space without having to move.  The back part of the house tends to be the best place to make residential additions.  Sometimes the sides of the house are also suitable for enlarging the floor plan.  Building up is another option to be considered.

The back of a home is hidden from the street, making it the best place for residential additions.  Here, any structural change to the home will not affect the curb appeal.  For homeowners who want to maintain their current home equity, this is an important factor.  Sometimes, the value of a home is directly linked to how it appears from the street.  The hope is to increase the value of the home through this construction project.  Preserving its current value and creating more floor space at the same time compounds the overall worth of the property.   Another reason that the back is a good choice is because it usually has the greatest amount of land space available.  As a family grows, increasing square footage is a great way to relieve the cramped feeling.  Kitchens or living rooms tend to be located at the back of a house, and are great rooms to choose to enlarge.  Curb appeal, more land availability, and ideal rooms all contribute to the popularity of this choice.

Sometimes, the back is not practical for expanding the home.  In such cases, the sides may be a good location for which to investigate the possibilities.  Extending the home that direction can allow the house proper to move into an existing garage, with some renovations, of course.  Then, the family can use the new space as the garage.  This is also a great place to make residential additions for those looking to add an extra bedroom that is somewhat detached from the main residence.  Sometimes, relatives have a need to join the core family, yet desire their own space.  Furthermore, many young adults are finding it necessary to stay at home for more years before moving out on their own.  For these reasons, among others, a separate living space that is a little distant, but still attached to the main structure is ideal.

The third good location for more square footage is the roof - that is, to build up.  Increasing floor space in this way doesn't take away from the outside space on the property.  For those who have limited area, or like as much outdoor space as possible, this is a good choice.  However, there are drawbacks and limitations.  First, the current structure has to be able to support an additional story.  Sometimes, the way that the house is laid-out prohibits this type of construction.  Second, the city or county regulations must be consulted to make sure that increasing the height of the house is within legal guidelines.  Some places have rules against such skyward advances. 

Homeowners choose to have residential additions made on their homes for a variety of reasons.  As a family gets larger, the need for more space often becomes apparent.  Sometimes, an owner simply wishes to increase the value of the property.  Other times, another adult member of the family needs to join them.  The motive will help guide the owners on where to locate the structure.