Plan for home expansion in Quebec.
Category House expansion
5 May 2023,
 Off
Plan for home expansion in Quebec.

Has your home become too small for your family’s needs? Are you trying to decide if you should just sell your house and buy a bigger one or just expand your current house?

A home expansion project can be a great alternative to selling when you’re running out of space.  Many homeowners choose to add another floor or expand their home because they don’t want to leave their neighborhood and it is cheaper than moving to a new house.

There are professionals who specialize in this type of project. Whether you want to build a second floor or expand horizontally, you can get a turnkey service that will make everything much easier for you.

Read on to know more about planning a home expansion!
Fill out the short online form on this page to get FREE and NO-COMMITMENT offers
from reputable contractors in your area.

What is a home expansion?

Residential house expansion to increase space.

A home expansion essentially consists of increasing the living area of ​​a house either by:

The main reason for selling a house in Quebec is the lack of space when people start a family.

However, the option of expanding one’s property is very real. It is possible to speak with a specialist, free of charge and without obligation, to assess whether this is ideal for your needs and your property.

Home Addition VS Floor Addition – What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between expanding a house and a floor addition project?

In both cases, you increase the livable space. However, it is not done the same way.

A floor addition project is often more complex than an expansion project but provides a bigger space, in most cases. 

Below you will see how these two projects differ.

Home Expansion

A home expansion is done by adding a structure at ground level. We add a room that is annexed to the existing building, either on piles or on a concrete slab or foundation. The size of the expansion depends on the zoning and other regulations of your municipality.

Floor Addition

A floor addition is made by constructing a floor above the existing building. This involves architectural changes to the existing building, circulation in the house, and more. You can make a full floor addition, or just part of the property.

What are the reasons for extending your house?

An expansion project can seem impressive at first sight, and we don’t always understand its relevance.

However, there are many reasons to expand your home in Quebec.

Here are some good reasons why homeowners choose a home expansion:

To know if your current property can be expanded or can support a floor addition, fill out the form on this page and connect with experienced contractors in your area.

Contractors in our network can offer technical expertise and discuss your options so can you get the best value from your project.

6 Ways to expand your home

Regardless of the home’s square footage, homeowners usually long for additional space for a special purpose such as a home office, a home gym, or a patio. 

Before embarking on this type of project, you have to consider municipal ordinances, the neighborhood, and building codes. 

Here are some ideas to consider for your home expansion.

Main floor expansion

Room addition for bigger square footage.

Expanding the ground floor is the most common home expansion project.  This will allow you to expand the home’s footprint in a way that blends with the existing design. You can expand the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, patio, etc. Typically, an exterior wall is removed and new frame is installed for the additional space and a roof is added.

Other updates that will be needed are electrical and plumbing.

Contractors may also refer to a bump out which involves a minimal expansion of the interior floor space such as adding a breakfast nook or a home office.

Second floor addition

Construction of a second floor in Quebec.

If you need a substantial increase in livable space, the best option is a vertical expansion. You can almost double the interior space by adding a second floor.  Of course, it is also possible to add a second floor directly onto a specific part of the ground floor. The bigger the expansion, the higher the cost.

A second-floor addition is generally more expensive than a ground floor expansion. It is, however, the most ideal option if your property does not have land available for a horizontal expansion.

Covered Patio addition

Covered patios for year-round use.

With more homeowners interested in increased outdoor livable space, enclosing a patio has become a popular way for increasing space that can be used throughout the year.

Covered patios are cost-effective and can be built with minor disruptions to your daily routine. You will be surprised to know that covered patios can be used for many activities such as outdoor dining, entertaining, relaxation, and even as a work area.

Finishing the Attic

Minimalist elegance in the attic.

Add livable space by finishing the attic. You can turn it into a home office, a bedroom suite, a playroom, or a family room.

There could be some challenges such as safety codes, access, insulation, or soundproofing but qualified contractors can offer solutions.

A contractor can also help with the design plan to suit your needs and your budget.

With an attic renovation, you can increase not only your livable space but the value of your home, too!

Finishing the basement

Finished basement turned to master suite.

Finishing the basement increases livable space and resale value. It is a definite advantage if you should ever decide to sell in the future.

The basement can be turned into a family room, a home office, an entertainment room, or even a master suite.

It is a cheaper alternative to buying a new house to gain more livable space.

Adding a floor above a Garage

Bedroom above a garage.

Building a floor above the garage is a cost-effective way of increasing livable space. If you need more space, you can add a bedroom, office, or whatever you need above your garage.

An experienced contractor can help you with the design and construction to ensure your addition fits the architecture of the home.

You will gain more space and increase property value at the same time with this project.

Floor addition projects in Quebec – Before and after (photos)

Every year, we help hundreds of clients find the right contractor for their home additions and renovations.

Among the projects we have handled, here is one of the most impressive.

This is a full floor addition and major renovation project. Here are the details of the project:

You can see the before and after photos of the project below. This example represents a large project, but be aware that it is possible to make a less imposing floor addition. It is possible to customize everything during such a project.

Before: Bungalow with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

After: Bigenerational house (2 units) with 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms

Floor addition starts with a good architectural plan

The architectural plan as a first step in a home expansion.

If you are thinking of adding a floor to your house, know that it starts with:

The architectural plan will take into account the current structure of your property and the additions you want to make.

The architect and contractor should also communicate to determine what is technically possible, and the cost implications.

Would you like to find an architect to help you design your floor addition project? Just fill out our short online form and get FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes today.

How much does a floor addition or expansion cost in Quebec?

What is the cost of an expansion or addition of a floor in Quebec? It all depends on the size of the project.

Do you just want to add a room or an entire floor?

The following table presents the approximate rates per square foot for certain types of home additions in Quebec.

Type of project

Approximate Cost Per Sq. Foot

Floor addition

$250 to $370 / sq. ft.

Expansion on a foundation

$310 to $400/ sq. ft.

Expansion on piles

$265 to $365/ sq. ft.

Expansion on slab

$290 to $385/ sq. ft.

4-season sunroom

$280 to $310/ sq. ft.

*Approximate rates taken from past quotes. For illustrative purposes only. No warranty offered.

How do I find a contractor specializing in home expansion?

There are thousands of construction and renovation contractors in Quebec. However, an expansion or floor addition project requires a certain expertise.

How do I find a contractor who specializes in this?

You can fill out the online form on this page and we will happily connect you to our partner contractors specializing in home additions.

You can be sure to receive quotes from qualified contractors and competitive offers to save time and money!

Checklist for choosing a good contractor

All of our partners are carefully vetted to make sure they have the right qualifications, track record, experience, and reputation. We want our users to have the best experience in using our platform to find the renovation services and contractors they need.

Free quotes from qualified home expansion contractors!

Choosing the right contractor for home expansion.

Are you looking for the right home expansion contractor for your project?

It only takes 1 minute to fill out the form on this page to receive FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes from our partner contractors.

Compare offers, speak to our partners, and start planning your home renovation with peace of mind. Our partners can help plan your project based on your needs and budget.

Contact us and get ready with your home renovation that is matched for success!

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