Home Addition vs. Moving: What Homeowners in Vermont Should Know

If you are reading this, I am guessing you love your neighborhood, you love your yard, but you are officially out of space inside your house.

Maybe your family is growing, you need a dedicated home office, or you want an in-law suite. Whatever the reason, you are now facing the big question: Do we pack up and move, or do we build an addition?

As a general contractor handling home additions in Vermont for over 50 years, I have this exact conversation with homeowners all the time. Before you call a realtor or start looking at listings in Burlington or Essex Junction, here is why adding on to your current home might be the smartest move you can make.

1. The Real Estate Reality in Vermont

Let’s talk honestly about the housing market. Right now, inventory in Chittenden County is incredibly tight. If you decide to move, you are going to be competing in bidding wars, paying high closing costs, and, worst of all, you will likely have to give up the great mortgage rate you locked in years ago.

When you build a home addition in Vermont, you get to keep your current equity, your current mortgage rate, and the neighborhood your kids already love. You are putting your money directly into the value of your own property, not giving it away to real estate fees.

2. You Build Exactly What You Want

When you buy a new house, you are buying someone else’s choices. You might get the extra bedroom you need, but you might hate the kitchen layout or the cramped bathrooms.

When we design an addition together, you get exactly what you want.

• Want a massive master suite with a custom walk-in closet?
• Need a sunroom that flows perfectly into a new, open-concept kitchen?
• Want handcrafted built-ins that perfectly match the original character of your home?

Because we handle full design-build services and custom woodworking, we make sure the new space flows seamlessly into the old space. It won't look like a box awkwardly glued to the side of your house; it will look like it was always meant to be there.

3. Navigating Local Zoning

This is the one thing that catches people off guard. Building a home addition in Chittenden County, VT requires navigating local zoning laws, property setbacks, and town permits.

Williston has different rules than Shelburne. South Burlington is different from Hinesburg.

If you hire a company that doesn't know the local landscape, your project can get tied up in red tape for months. Because I have been building here for five decades, my team and I handle all the site management, planning, and final inspections for you. You don't have to stress about the paperwork.

Let’s Look at Your Property

Adding onto your home is a big decision, but you don't have to figure it out alone.

If you are wondering if your lot is big enough, or what an addition might cost, let's set up a time for me to come out and walk the property with you. I provide free, open-book, itemized estimates. I will tell you exactly what is possible, what it will cost, and how long it will take. No hidden fees, no sales pitches.

Give me a call directly at (802) 585-9112 or send me a message through the website. Let’s build the space your family needs.

A Few Common Questions About Home Additions

Can I live in my house while the addition is being built?

In most cases, yes! Because we are usually building the shell of the new structure on the exterior of your home, the disruption to your daily life is minimal for the first few phases. We only "break through" the existing walls when the new space is framed and weather-tight. My team is incredibly respectful of your living space and uses heavy dust barriers to keep your home clean.

Do you build second-story additions or just ground-level extensions?

We do both. Ground-level extensions (like expanding a kitchen or adding a master suite into the backyard) are very common. But if you don't have the yard space because of property line setbacks, "building up" with a second-story addition is a fantastic way to double your square footage.

How do I know if my town will allow an addition?

That is exactly what we figure out during the planning phase. I will review your town’s specific zoning bylaws, look at your property lines, and determine your allowable "lot coverage." We handle the permitting process so you don't have to guess what is allowed.

How do you match the new addition to my old house?

This is where 50 years of craftsmanship comes in. We go to great lengths to match your existing rooflines, exterior siding, and interior millwork. A successful addition shouldn't look new, it should look like it was built the exact same day as the original house.