Expert: Dan Griffin - 10/4/2011

Question
I'm considering an addition to the back of my Colonial Style home. On the main level the addition would include a larger kitchen, half bath, laundry, and master bed/bath. Our basement is currently small, half-finished, and has no natural light, no walk out. If we did the addition to the main level, could we knock out the existing cement wall to the basement and gain all that same square footage as the main level? Is doing so extremely difficult/costly? My husbands main concern is that our septic, electrical and plumbing runs in the back yard in the place we would add on to the home.

Answer
Lindsey, virtually anything is possible if you have enough money.  The best approach in my opinion would be to sit down with either a competent builder or with a design specialist (architect).  Do NOT expect them to spend much time for free and make this clear.

Realize that half the weight of the house is sitting on the wall you want to remove and there will need to be some major structural planning.  I assume you intend to live in the house during the work - MAKE SURE YOU THINK THIS THROUGH WELL!  Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms to work on in a home and take the most time.  Your existing kitchen will probably be out of commission throughout the work.  If the utilities need to be relocated, plan at least a day each - more likely, a week for each.  This is so very subject to the particulars that I cannot see as I am not there.  Gas and electric can be extended and moved on a temporary basis to keep you operating, but the work will need to be done twice.

A good builder should be able to sit down with you, discuss the project, and project some ROUGH costs.  Do NOT expect a bid, do NOT expect drawings.  Ask him for a feasibility meeting at your site, and ask him what he would charge to come and discuss possibilities.

I hope this gives you some good ideas.