Okay, here’s my blog post about my “split-level home additions” experience, written in a casual, conversational style, just like the example:
So, we finally did it. We added onto our split-level. It was… an experience. Let me tell you, I thought I knew what I was getting into, but boy was I wrong, kinda. Still, we got through it, and I figured I’d share the whole messy journey, start to finish.
The “Why” (Before the Chaos)
We bought our split-level because, well, it was what we could afford at the time. Good bones, decent neighborhood, but cramped. Especially the living room, It felt more like an oversized closet. And the kitchen? Don’t even get me started. It had one of those tiny peninsulas that just… got in the way. We needed more space, plain and simple. And we wanted a real dining area, not just a corner of the living room.
Planning (and Re-Planning, and Re-Re-Planning…)
First, we had to figure out what we actually wanted. Did we want to bump out the back? The side? Go up? We sketched out a million ideas on napkins and graph paper. I even tried using some free online design tool, which was a total disaster. Ended up with, I hired a local designer, which was money well spent. He helped us visualize the addition and make sure it wouldn’t look like a giant box just stuck on the house.
The Permit Process (Ugh)
Getting permits? Fun. Not! It involved so many forms, and so many trips to the city planning office. I felt like I was living there. They wanted everything: detailed drawings, site plans, soil reports (seriously!), and who knows what else. We had a few hiccups, mostly because our lot is a weird shape, but eventually, we got the green light.
Finding a Contractor (The Real Challenge)
This was almost as bad as the permits. We interviewed, like, five different contractors. One guy showed up late, another gave us a quote that was basically double everyone else’s, and one just seemed… off. We finally found a contractor who seemed to know what he was doing, and his references checked out. We signed a contract, held our breath, and crossed our fingers.
Demolition Day! (aka, “The Point of No Return”)
This was exciting and terrifying. Watching a backhoe tear into the side of your house is… something. It’s amazing how quickly they can demolish stuff. One minute it’s a wall, the next it’s a pile of rubble. My kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. I just hoped it would all go back together properly.
The Build (Months of Dust and Noise)
- Framing: This went up pretty fast. It was cool to see the new space taking shape.
- Roofing: This was a bit tricky, tying the new roof into the existing one. We had a couple of minor leaks during a rainstorm, but they fixed them quickly.
- Windows and Doors: We splurged on some bigger windows to get more light into the new space. Totally worth it.
- Siding: We had to match the existing siding, which was a bit of a pain, but they found a pretty close match.
- Electrical and Plumbing: This seemed to take forever. Lots of wires and pipes everywhere.
- Insulation: Gotta keep that heat in (and the AC in the summer!).
- Drywall: Finally, the walls started to look like… walls.
- Painting and Flooring: We chose a light, neutral color for the walls and some nice, durable flooring.
The Finished Product (Finally!)
It took longer than we expected (doesn’t it always?), and there were definitely some stressful moments, but… we love it. The new living room is so much bigger, and we finally have a real dining room. The kitchen is still a work in progress (we’re doing that in phases), but the extra space makes a huge difference. It’s still our same old split-level, but it feels like a whole new house.
Would I do it again? Maybe. Ask me in a few years. But for now, we’re just enjoying our new space.