Your goals and project fit
Space with a purpose
Think about what the added space should make possible: more room for family, a different bedroom arrangement or a more usable shared living area. Consider whether reorganizing existing rooms could also address the need.
Property suitability
The initial consultation considers goals, space, feasibility and constraints such as zoning and site conditions. The Plans Package then includes site evaluation and feasibility review.
Connecting old and new
Start with how you want to move between the existing rooms and the added space. Identify the parts of the home you want to keep, as well as the spaces the addition would change.
Prepare for an addition
Start with the problem the new space should solve. Consider how the addition connects to existing rooms, which site and structural questions need assessment, and what the proposal will include.
Read the addition planning guideRelevant project work
Added area and total home area
Added heated area describes new space; completed heated area describes the whole finished home. QCGC’s Tudor-inspired second-story addition added 925 sq ft within a completed home of approximately 1,900 sq ft. Existing-house connections remain part of the work even when they add no floor area.
Explore the second-story additionExpanding a ranch to the rear and upward
The Sedgefield project combined a whole-home renovation with rear and upper additions to the original brick ranch. Its recorded total heated area is not the area added.
Explore the Sedgefield transformation
Charlotte Tudor-inspired second-story addition
Completed project
QCGC designed a second-story addition that expanded a compact brick ranch and changed its exterior character.
Define the project before construction
Design Guide
Layouts and selections
Plans Package
Agreed construction documents
Construction proposal
Scope and proposed terms
Design and plans define the work QCGC prices. Design and Plans fees are separate from construction costs.
From design to construction
Your goals become layouts and selections in a Design Guide. The separate Plans Package develops the agreed construction documents, with engineering as required. QCGC develops the construction proposal from completed design and plans. The build team becomes involved after contract signing, with plans required before pre-construction and permitting begin.
Explore the processCharlotte Tudor-inspired second-story addition
Budget considerations
Cost considerations
A defined layout, selections and project constraints give QCGC the scope for a construction proposal. Design and Plans fees are separate from construction costs.
Explore budget guidancePractical questions
Can I start if I already have plans?
Yes, bring them to the conversation. QCGC’s current process requires a completed Design Package for each space it works on, even when plans already exist. We will review what is available and what still needs to be defined.
What is included in design?
Consultations, layout and space planning, material and finish selections, 3D renderings, and budget alignment are brought together in a Design Guide. The separate Plans Package addresses the construction documents needed for the project.
When will I receive construction pricing?
The construction proposal is developed from completed design and plans. Its scope, selections, allowances, exclusions and remaining conditions should be clear before you decide to sign.
What should I prepare?
Bring your goals, project location, planning stage and budget expectations. Available plans, surveys, photos and inspiration help explain what you want to create or change.
How much can I add?
The answer depends on your property, zoning, site conditions and structural requirements. The consultation and planning work assess those constraints before the size and layout are finalized.
Is added floor area the same as the completed home’s size?
Added heated area describes only the new space. Completed heated area describes the whole finished home. Connections to the existing house remain part of the work even when they add no floor area.
Can an addition be planned with a whole-home renovation?
The completed Sedgefield project combined a whole-home renovation with additions to the rear and above the original brick ranch. Bring both your existing-room priorities and your need for new space into the planning conversation.
Tell us what you’d like to build or change
Share your project type, location and planning stage so we can discuss the right next step.
Discuss your project