Do you have accurately dimensioned floor plans showing the existing and proposed?

Have you considered working with a designer?

No, just talked to a contractor about what we’re wanting. Haven’t talked to a designer or anything.

Thanks

I wouldn't do any project like this without engaging an architect. This is something that may seem simple on the surface, but if it's botched has the potential to negatively impact the resale value of your home, or at best, just leave you dissatisfied with the result.

The site looks flat. Are you excavating completely for the garage and it's driveway? An architect may better direct your space requirements to the existing house and lot.

IMO an arvhitect can make the plans to have this appear cohesive with the original you can't just plunck an addition onto a home and with a bilevel level home even more planning needed to keep this looking right . What exactly is planned for the space above the garage since I see this lonely little gable bumpout that does not work IMO. It also seems like this is very close to the proerty line on the left or is taht just a line on the drawing. I assume you have an acreage if that is not the property line. I also really dislike underdrive garages where you get snow .

Anything is doable with enough money, however, if most of the homes in the area are currently like yours you maybe turn yours into the most expensive in the neighborhood and that is never a good strategy so be careful. Any addition you do should mimic the pitch of your current gable so attaching a high-pitched roofline as you illustrate onto your existing home is never going to be successful. Your home style is more MCM and the addition will need to follow suit.

Please note the pitcher of the total roof was changed to accommodate the style change on the house below.

The lot is flat in that area then gently slopes down. We had been planning on excavating down so we would have a way out of the lower level.

We live in a subdivision with each home having 1 1/2ac yard, unfortunately whoever built the houses here ran everyone’s driveway and home against their neighbors property line. We need to expand our garge desperately so the only option we have is to add it to the other side of our house and create a new driveway, it’s taking us way over budget. Any design ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Check with the city first to see what's allowed for additions and new driveways. It's better to know in advance before making plans. You may have to get rid of your current driveway.

Also consider a standalone garage if that is really all you need. Do you need the extra living area?

What is your comfortable budget range, including driveway, permits, grading, soil tests, and so on?