So, you’re ready to add on to your home. That’s exciting—and let’s be honest, probably a little overwhelming too.
You’ve got a vision: more room to breathe, better flow, space that finally fits your life. But between permits, budgets, and design decisions, you may be wondering... where do I even start?
At Gilbert Design Build, we’ve walked alongside homeowners in and around Sarasota who are adding an addition to their house—and we’ve seen what helps a project thrive (and what can slow it down).
In this blog, our goal is to set you up for success. Here's a sneak peek:
1. Ignoring How the Addition Blends with Your Home's Exterior
2. Skipping Setback Research
3. Not Working With an Experienced Designer or Architect
4. Underestimating the Budget
5. Not Considering ROI by Room Type
6. Hiring the Wrong Team for the Job
7. Not Starting With a Clear Purpose
8. Overbuilding for Your Neighborhood
9. Overlooking Storage and Utility Needs
10. Forgetting About Natural Light
11. Not Planning the Space Around How You'll Furnish It
One of the biggest mistakes we see in residential home additions is treating the new space like a completely separate structure. A successful home room addition should look and feel like it’s always been there, not like it was tacked on as an afterthought.
That means matching the architecture, rooflines, siding, windows, and proportions to your existing home.
A poorly integrated addition to your home can impact curb appeal and resale potential.
Before you start dreaming about where your new room addition will go, you need to know exactly where it can go.
Setback allowances determine how close your addition can be to property lines, and in Utah, those rules vary by municipality. Not understanding local zoning can lead to costly redesigns or even stop your project in its tracks.
Before building an addition, make sure you or your contractor has checked all zoning and setback requirements for your property.
Thinking you can skip expert-level design help in a house addition is like deciding to build a home without a blueprint.
Sure, it might seem simple at first, but the layout, flow, and structural details are what make or break the finished result.
A skilled architect or designer who's experienced in home additions will ensure your home add-on not only looks good, but also meets code, fits your family’s needs, and flows naturally with your existing home.
It’s easy to focus on square footage and forget what really drives the cost of a home addition.
Things like foundation work, roof tie-ins, and updates to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems can significantly increase the investment, especially when you’re building a kitchen addition, bathroom addition, or expanding a primary suite.
These are complex spaces that require more than just framing and drywall. From high-end finishes to system extensions, costs can add up quickly if they’re not properly accounted for from the start.
At Gilbert Design Build, we believe your budget should reflect the full scope of what it takes to build it right. That’s why we help you plan early and honestly, so the final number feels expected, not alarming.
All home additions add value—but not always in the same way. A key part of smart planning is knowing which types of additions offer the best return on investment, both for your lifestyle and long-term resale.
Additions like kitchen expansions and bathrooms tend to bring the strongest ROI, thanks to their high use, broad buyer appeal, and potential for luxury home finishes.
Other spaces—like a mudroom, sunroom, or even a new walk-in closet—might bring a lower financial return, but deliver a major boost in your convenience and comfort.
At the end of the day, the best home addition is the one that aligns with your priorities. Our job is to help you weigh those decisions clearly so you can invest wisely in what matters most.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when adding an addition to your house is choosing a team that isn’t the right fit.
A great addition needs more than just a contractor—it takes smart planning, strong design, and seamless coordination.
At Gilbert Design Build, our design-build process brings everything under one roof, so your project stays on track, on budget, and aligned with your vision. When you're adding a home addition in Sarasota, choose a builder with a proven process—and the portfolio to back it up.
It’s easy to get excited about the idea of adding on to your house, but without a clear goal, even the best-designed addition can fall short.
Are you creating more space for family? Looking to improve resale value? Need better functionality day to day?
Defining your “why” early helps guide design, layout, and budget decisions—and ensures your home room addition actually solves the problem you started with.
We love a bold vision—but when adding an addition to your home, it’s wise to consider the surrounding properties. Going too big or adding features that are out of step with your neighborhood may not offer the return on investment you’re hoping for.
We help clients strike the right balance between what they want and what adds long-term value.
It’s not just about adding a new space—it’s about making sure that space works. Many homeowners forget to plan for closets, utility access, or HVAC routing when building an addition on a house.
The result? A beautiful room that doesn’t quite function right.
We make sure storage and systems are part of the conversation from the beginning. After all, as the homeowner, this isn't something you should have to worry about, but it's a good idea to be aware of it regardless.
One of the easiest ways to make a new space feel disconnected from your home is poor lighting, especially natural light.
When adding on to a house, it’s important to think about window placement, sightlines, and how sunlight will move through the space. We often incorporate skylights, larger windows, or borrowed light from adjacent rooms to keep things bright and balanced.
Square footage is important, but how that space works matters even more. We’ve seen additions that look great on paper, but once the furniture’s in, there’s no room to live.
When you’re adding an addition to your house, think beyond the floor plan.
Will it still feel open, comfortable, and usable once it’s furnished?
At Gilbert Design Build, we plan for how you’ll actually live in the space so your addition adds more than just walls. It adds ease, flow, and function.
Your home addition should be exciting, not frustrating. With the right planning, the right people, and the right process, it absolutely can be!
At Gilbert Design Build, we don’t just build additions—we build trust.
We help Sarasota homeowners expand their homes with smart design, clear communication, and craftsmanship that blends beautifully with what’s already there.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start planning, we’re here to guide the way. Let’s talk about how to add the space you need, without the headaches you don’t.