Add Space Without Moving
Love your neighborhood but need more room? A home addition might be the perfect solution. Instead of going through the hassle and expense of moving, you can add the space you need right where you are. At Realtree Construction, we help Nashville homeowners expand their homes with additions that look like they were always part of the original design.
Whether you need an extra bedroom, bigger kitchen, home office, or expanded living space, we handle every detail from design to final walkthrough. We've been building home additions across Middle Tennessee for years, and we know how to do it right.
Why Build a Home Addition?
- Stay in Your Neighborhood - You love where you live. Your kids are settled in school. You know your neighbors. Why leave if you don't have to?
- Avoid Moving Costs - Moving is expensive and stressful. Realtor fees, closing costs, moving trucks, time off work – it all adds up fast.
- Get Exactly What You Want - With an addition, you design the space to fit your exact needs. No compromising on someone else's floor plan.
- Increase Home Value - A well-designed addition adds significant value to your Nashville home. You're investing in your property.
- More Affordable Than You Think - Depending on what you need, an addition can cost less than buying a bigger house in your neighborhood.
Types of Home Additions We Build
- Room Additions - Add a bedroom, home office, sunroom, or any single room you need. These are usually built off the side or back of your house.
- Second Story Additions - Go up instead of out. Great for smaller lots where you can't expand the footprint. We add a whole second floor or just a master suite above the garage.
- Bump Out Additions - Extend a room by a few feet. Perfect for expanding a small kitchen, adding a breakfast nook, or making a bathroom bigger.
- Master Suite Additions - The most popular addition we build. A spacious master bedroom with attached bathroom and walk-in closet. Some include sitting areas or office space too.
- Kitchen Additions - Expand your cramped kitchen into a real cooking and gathering space. More counter space, bigger island, room for a table.
- Bathroom Additions - Add a full bath, half bath, or expand an existing bathroom. Great when you're tired of everyone fighting over one bathroom.
- Family Room Additions - Extra living space for the whole family. More room to spread out and relax.
- Garage Additions - Extra garage bays, workshop space, or garage with bonus room above.
- In-Law Suites - Self-contained living space with bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. Perfect for aging parents or adult kids.
- Sunroom or Four-Season Room - Enjoy the outdoors year-round. Great for homes with nice views or yards.
Our Home Addition Process
Step 1: Dream and Design
We meet with you to understand what you need and why. What's not working in your current home? How will you use the new space? What's your budget?
Step 2: Site Assessment
We evaluate your property, check setbacks and zoning rules, assess foundation and structural needs, and look at how to match your existing home's style.
Step 3: Create the Plans
We design your addition to blend seamlessly with your existing home. It should look like it was always there, not tacked on as an afterthought.
Step 4: Permits and Approvals
We handle all permits with the city of Nashville or your local municipality. We deal with the paperwork so you don't have to.
Step 5: Foundation and Framing
We pour the foundation, build the structure, frame walls, and install roof framing. This is where you really see it take shape.
Step 6: Enclose and Secure
We get your addition dried in quickly – roof, windows, doors, siding. This protects the interior work.
Step 7: Interior Build Out
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, paint, fixtures. We finish everything to match or exceed your existing home.
Step 8: Final Inspection and Walkthrough
We do a final inspection with the city, then walk through everything with you. We make sure you're completely happy.
Matching Your Existing Home
One of the biggest challenges with additions is making them look like they belong. We're really good at this. We match:
- Siding materials and colors
- Roof pitch and shingle color
- Window styles
- Brick or stone patterns
- Trim details and architectural features
- Interior finishes and flooring
When we're done, neighbors won't be able to tell where the old house ends and the addition begins.
How Much Does a Home Addition Cost in Nashville?
Home addition costs vary a lot based on size and complexity. Here's a general guide:
- Bump Out (2–3 feet extension) - $15,000 - $30,000
Great for expanding kitchens or bathrooms slightly. - Single Room Addition - $30,000 - $80,000
One bedroom, bathroom, or office space. Around 200–400 square feet. - Master Suite Addition - $75,000 - $150,000
Large bedroom with attached luxury bathroom and closet. Usually 400–600 square feet. - Two-Story Addition - $100,000 - $250,000+
Full second floor or major expansion. Adds multiple rooms. - Per Square Foot Range - $150 - $400 per square foot depending on finish level and complexity.
These are ballpark numbers. We'll give you a detailed estimate based on your specific project. Adding a bathroom costs more per square foot than a simple bedroom because of plumbing. Second story additions cost more than ground-level because of structural requirements.
Zoning and Setback Requirements
Nashville and surrounding cities have rules about how close you can build to property lines. These are called setbacks. We know all the local regulations and make sure your addition complies.
We also check:
- Lot coverage limits (how much of your lot can be covered by buildings)
- Height restrictions
- HOA rules if you have one
- Historical district requirements if applicable
We won't start designing until we know exactly what's allowed on your property.
Can I Live in My Home During Construction?
Yes, most homeowners do. We work hard to minimize disruption to your daily life. Here's how:
- We set up dust barriers to protect living areas
- We provide temporary fixes so you can use rooms as needed
- We clean up every day before we leave
- We communicate clearly about when we'll need to shut off power or water
- We work efficiently to get the addition enclosed quickly
It's not always convenient, but it's definitely doable. Most families prefer staying home rather than finding temporary housing.
How Long Does a Home Addition Take?
Timeline depends on the size and type of addition:
- Bump Out - 4–6 weeks
- Single Room Addition - 8–12 weeks
- Master Suite Addition - 12–16 weeks
- Second Story Addition - 16–24 weeks
Weather, permit approvals, and inspection schedules can affect timing. We'll give you a realistic timeline at the start and keep you updated throughout.
Structural Considerations
Adding onto your house isn't as simple as building new walls. We have to consider:
- Foundation Requirements - Your addition needs a proper foundation that won't settle differently than the existing house.
- Roof Tie-In - We connect the new roof to your existing roof properly to prevent leaks.
- Floor Level Matching - We make sure floor heights match so there are no weird steps.
- Structural Load - We ensure your existing structure can handle the additional weight, especially for second-story additions.
- HVAC Capacity - We check if your current heating and cooling system can handle the added square footage. Sometimes upgrades are needed.
We assess all of this during the planning stage so there are no surprises later.
Electrical and Plumbing
Your addition will need power, outlets, lighting, and possibly plumbing. We handle all of that:
- Extend electrical service from your main panel
- Install all wiring, outlets, switches, and fixtures
- Run plumbing for bathrooms or kitchens
- Connect to your existing HVAC or add mini-split systems
- Everything is done to code and inspected
Serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee
We build home additions throughout the Nashville metro area:
East Nashville, Green Hills, Belle Meade, Sylvan Park, Germantown, The Nations, 12 South, Donelson, Hermitage, Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, Spring Hill – if you're in Middle Tennessee, we can help.
Why Choose Realtree Construction for Your Addition?
- Seamless Integration
- Structural Expertise
- Licensed Contractors
- Project Management
- Quality Materials
- Clear Communication
- Fair Pricing
Permits and Inspections
All home additions require permits. We handle everything:
- Submit plans to the city
- Pull all necessary permits
- Schedule inspections at required stages
- Ensure everything passes inspection
- Obtain final certificate of occupancy
You don't have to deal with any of the red tape. We take care of it all.
Thinking About an Addition vs. Remodeling?
Consider an Addition If:
- You truly need more square footage
- Your lot has room to expand
- You want to add bedrooms or bathrooms
- Your current layout works, you just need more space
Consider a Remodel If:
- You have enough square footage but poor layout
- Your lot is maxed out on allowable building coverage
- You want to update and reconfigure existing space
- Budget is a major concern (remodels are usually cheaper)
We can help you figure out which approach makes the most sense for your situation.
Other Services We Offer
- Custom home building
- Whole home remodels
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom remodels
- Basement finishing
- Roofing and siding
- Fire damage restoration
- Emergency tree removal
One company for all your Nashville construction needs.
Ready to Add Space to Your Home?
Let's talk about your project. We offer free consultations where we visit your home, discuss your needs, evaluate your property, and talk through options.
No pushy sales tactics. Just honest conversation about what's possible and what it would cost. We'll help you figure out if an addition is right for you.
Most of our clients come from referrals – homeowners who were so happy with their addition that they recommended us to friends and family. That's the kind of work we do.
Call Realtree Construction today and let's create the extra space you need.
Realtree Construction - Your trusted home addition contractor in Nashville, TN.
Also offering custom home building, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, basement finishing, whole home remodels, roofing services, siding installation, and fire damage restoration throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.