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Remodeling Kitchens

Advice on a bump out

6 years ago

We would like to build a kitchen bump out on the back, outside wall of our house. An addition with a foundation proved to be too expensive. One contractor said he could build a small addition on a post foundation. He said with proper insulation, it won’t be cold. Other contractors seem skeptical. From what I have read, it seems that if properly constructed, with blown - in insulation to eliminate all air leaks it can be warm and comfortable. We don’t need to add a lot of square footage to make a big difference for our layout. Any experience, advice would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

If you can’t figure out a layout within the current constraints of the home, then you need to weigh moving vs adding 50K-100K to the standard 60K kitchen redo. If the kitchen is a symptom of the rest of the house, then it doesn’t suit your needs overall. Adding a bigger addition will actually cost less per square foot than a small addition. But if none of that is within your budget, then you need to live within your footprint.

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Comments (8)

User
6 years ago
Insulating the bump out is not the real issue.

A bump out that is not physically connected to the foundation can act like a porch or deck that is not connected and settle/pull away from the house.
User
6 years ago
Hacks will promise you the moon. The moon is not for sale. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

There is no cheap or easy way to do what you want to do. Either you have the 100K+ budget to do it right, or you don’t do it. And maybe move to a house that suits your wants better.
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mark_rachel
6 years ago
My parents added a bump out for a large master closet. They had to extend the foundation. It is a bit colder in there, but they didn't put an AC/Heat duct to it. It can be done, but I would get multiple quotes and contractors to look at it. It's going cost some money. A screened in porch addition around here cost around $25K with a legit roof, so that might give you an idea of how extensive this project is.
mjlb
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I'm confused. I live in a Deck House, and my entire main floor is cantilevered 2-ft all the way around the foundation. And I'm pretty sure Sarah Susanka books show cantilevered bump outs. Is there not a way to do what OP wants, without a foundation under it?
User
5 years ago
mjlb, there are ways to cantilever the bump out---during the design phase. Trying that now would be more expensive than putting in a foundation.

The weight of the overhang has to be supported. When cantilevered, that weight is carried by joists/beams into or across the structure. Your house was easier to cantilever because the extensions are equal and carried into the center. All that weight transfer and support is designed into the structure.

Adding that type of weight transfer and support would mean major changes in much of the main floor of that house b y adding the necessary joists/beams/center support. Much less expensive to just add foundation.
felch2
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the advice and suggestions. We have thought of a cantilevered “ micro addition “ I had read about. No seems enthusiastic about that idea either.
mjlb
5 years ago
Thanks, handymac.

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