Remodel
Same footprint. Layout, systems and finishes change inside the walls you have.
Change the home you already have.
A remodel reworks the space inside the walls you have. An addition makes the house bigger. Both start with the same question: what is the existing structure able to take?
Before
AfterAddition
A bigger house. New rooms are built onto it and stay part of one home.
Who this may suit
The house is the right size but works badly
Closed-off rooms, poor light, too little storage or dated systems: a remodel changes the layout and what is behind the walls.
You need more room for the same household
An addition extends the house, and the new rooms stay part of one home.
You want to stay in the neighbourhood
Improving the house you own can be an alternative to moving; comparing both for your property is the honest way to decide.
Remodel, addition or attached ADU?
All three change an existing property. Reading them side by side shows which one matches what you need, and why an addition is not the same as an attached ADU.
Remodel
Rework the space you already have.
- What changes on the property
- The footprint stays the same; layout, systems and finishes change inside it.
- What it may suit
- The house is the right size but does not work the way you live.
- What needs checking first
- Which walls carry load, the condition of plumbing and electrical, and what is behind the walls.
- What can affect scope and budget
- How many rooms are involved, whether walls move, system upgrades and finish level.
- A sensible next step
- List what does not work today, room by room.
Home addition
Make the existing home bigger.
- What changes on the property
- New rooms are built onto the house and connected to it; it stays one home.
- What it may suit
- You need more space for the household already living there.
- What needs checking first
- Setbacks and lot coverage, how the new structure ties into the existing one, and whether existing systems can carry the extra load.
- What can affect scope and budget
- Size, where it connects, foundation type, roof tie-in, and how much of the existing house is opened up.
- A sensible next step
- Measure the existing house and confirm where it can grow.
Attached ADU
A separate dwelling joined to the house.
- What changes on the property
- A new, self-contained unit is built against the house, with its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom.
- What it may suit
- You want a separate home on the property but have limited yard space.
- What needs checking first
- ADU size and setback rules for your city, fire separation from the main house, utilities and entrances.
- What can affect scope and budget
- Unit size, the shared wall, utility connections, and city fees that apply to ADUs.
- A sensible next step
- Confirm what your city allows for attached ADUs on your lot.
Whether a route is allowed on a specific property depends on the lot, the existing structures and the city’s current rules. Nothing here is an eligibility decision, a price or a timeline.
Two ways to change the house
The remodel keeps one room and one view; the addition keeps the existing house fixed while a new wing takes shape.
The existing house stays exactly as it is while a new wing takes shape beside it.
Connection
- What happens
- The existing house is measured and the new footprint is marked where it will join.
- What you decide
- Where the addition connects and how the rooms will flow into it.
- What must be checked
- Setbacks, lot coverage and the existing structure at the connection.
What the work can involve
Remodels and additions share trades and inspections. The difference is how much of the existing house is opened up or extended.
- Measuring and assessing the existing house
- Design of the new layout, or of the addition and where it connects
- Structural review where walls are removed or the house is extended
- Permits and plan check, where the work requires them
- Protection and phasing if you live in the home during the work
- Demolition or opening up, then framing and systems
- Rough inspections before walls and ceilings close
- Finishes, fixtures and the final walkthrough
What must be checked first
In a remodel or addition, the existing house sets the limits. These checks come before design.
- Which walls carry load, and what runs through them
- The condition of the plumbing, electrical panel and mechanical systems
- For an addition: setbacks, lot coverage and where the house can grow
- How a new structure would tie into the existing foundation and roof
- Whether existing systems can carry the extra load
- Whether you will live in the home during construction
What is behind the walls is the main unknown; some of it is only visible once work starts.
What shapes the scope
How much changes, and what the existing house hides, drive a remodel or addition more than size alone.
Existing property and site
What is already there sets the starting point: the lot’s size and slope, existing structures and their condition, and where water, sewer, gas and power come in.
Questions worth answering
- Do you have a survey or old plans?
- Where do utilities enter the property?
- Is anything on the lot in poor condition?
What it can change: Site preparation, what can be reused, and how far new connections need to run.
For your project: What is behind the walls is the main unknown in a remodel.
Nobody can price a project from a web page. These are the questions that make a first conversation useful.
Remodeling and addition questions
Short answers, grouped by project type. Specific rules depend on your property and your city.
An addition enlarges your existing home and stays part of one dwelling. An attached ADU is a separate unit with its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom, reviewed under ADU rules.
Often yes, with planning around noise, dust, utilities and access. Some stages, such as work on kitchens or main systems, may make it harder.
Work that changes the structure, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems usually does; purely cosmetic work often does not. Your city decides, so confirm before work starts.
Through a new foundation beside the house, framing that ties into the existing walls and roof, and weatherproofing where old meets new. How the roofs meet and whether the floor levels match are decided early in design.
Not exactly from a web page. For remodels, additions and ADUs, the cost calculator on the homepage shows an early planning range based on published California builder pricing; it is not a quote. Cost depends on the site, the size, the design and finishes, so a realistic number for your project comes after the property has been reviewed and a concept exists.
Size, site conditions, how much of an existing structure changes, and finish level. The scope section on each service page explains each one.
Yes. Plans are reviewed and approved by the city before physical work begins, and inspections happen at stages during construction.
You talk through your goals, the property and your questions. Bringing the preparation checklist from the Resources page makes it more useful.
Start a remodel or addition brief
Pick the route that sounds closest. You can change it inside the brief, and nothing is sent anywhere.