In-law Home Addition: An Expansive Addition to Life, Family, and Generational Wealth
Nestled in Stoughton, Massachusetts, this in-law home addition on Daly Drive Ext. is not just about adding more space to a home; it’s also about fostering a safe and enriching space for this multi-generational family to grow physically, emotionally, and financially — free of the stresses and endless roadblocks.
We took great pride in completing this home addition for them. To meet the needs of multi-generational living, more living space was needed. Rather than go with a conventional house addition, we specifically built an in-law addition. This in-law addition sat at 800 sq. feet and was the best-suited option based on the requirements set forth by the homeowners.
Meeting these requirements posed challenges, but we successfully delivered.
Now, let’s delve deeper into this in-law home addition, take a closer look at some of the products we used, and better understand how this home addition came together to make this a reality for these homeowners!
Homeowner Requirements For In-law Home Addition
When these homeowners approached us seeking to accommodate their growing multi-generational family, they had us focus on these three critical aspects:
- Privacy: With separate living quarters imperative, we crafted an in-law suite that serves as a standalone apartment within the home. It comprises a full kitchen, living area, bedroom, bathroom, and office—affording the family the desired layout.
- Efficiency: Despite the challenges posed by the winter season, we aimed for an expedient build. Clear lines of communication and our logical approach allowed us to manage construction efficiently and systematically, completing this project within four months!
- Budget: Staying within these homeowner’s budgets without compromising quality was non-negotiable. We accomplished this and increased the property’s market value to the homeowners’ delight. Once they refinance, the home will be worth a whole lot more!
In-law Home Addition Deliverables
Exterior Deliverables
- Prep the site and excavate all materials associated with the foundation
- Remove Sewer Basin
- Re-route and Install a New Sewer Line
- Install footings, concrete walls, and concrete slab
- Frame floors, walls, and roofing system
- New 200 amp Electrical Service with two panels
- Propane Tank Installation and Hook-up
- A/C Condensor
- Roofing Installation
- Siding Installation
- New Construction Windows
- Entry Doors
- Gutters
- Decking
Interior Deliverables
- Interior Electrical, outlets, fixtures, and accessories
- Installation of new plumbing, plumbing fixtures and accessories
- Expansion of HVAC to new addition with propane conversion
- High Efficient NPE230 Navien Tankless water heater
- Blueboard and Plaster
- Interior Paint
- Flooring and Tile
- Interior Doors
- Interior Trim and Baseboard
- Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops
- Bathroom Cabinets
Adding More Space and Value To This Daly Drive Ext. Home
Site Preparation and Foundation Installation
First on the agenda was re-routing the sewer line. Where the build area was, there was a sewer basin in the way that needed to be removed and the line re-routed. After we removed the sewer basin, we re-routed and installed a brand new sewer line to the road. After sign-off from the sewer engineer, we began making way for our footings and basement walls.
This in-law addition includes a full walk-out basement with 8-foot high foundation walls. The cellar, designated for storage only, is accessible from the rear of the property to comply with building regulations. Access from the first floor is restricted due to zoning limitations. The building department strictly prohibits separate living spaces in residentially zoned areas for single-family dwellings from being rented as apartments to maintain the neighborhood’s appearance. To balance homeowner needs, the Stoughton Building Commissioner implements specific criteria when building an in-law addition in these neighborhoods.
Shortly after pouring the footings, basement floor, and foundation walls, we applied the waterproofing and began backfilling around the foundation. Then, we moved into our framing phase of the project.
Framing and Enclosing Of Addition
We began the framing phase by installing double 2×6 pressure-treated sill plates around the perimeter of the foundation. After all the sill plates had been installed, we moved on to installing the floor joists. We used 2 x 10 floor joists for this project at 16 inches in the center. Then, we applied glue to the top floor joists and installed the subflooring. Next, we began framing the exterior walls. The plans called for 2 x 6 framing 16 inches on center with half-inch zip sheathing with all seams taped and sealed. Lastly, we began framing the roofing system, using 2 x 10 roof rafters 16 inches on center with 5/8 CDX roof sheathing.
Now that the framing is complete, we can move on making this home addition weather-tight!
Roofing Installation
The roofing system is the first crucial step in making your home weather-tight. Our crews initiated the process by installing CertainTeed’s Integrity Roofing System, which includes various components such as drip edge, Winter Guard ice and water shield, Roof Runner underlayment, Shadow Ridge hip and ridge caps, SwiftStart starter shingles, ridge vent, and Landmark Pro architectural shingles. With CertainTeed Integrity Roofing System in place, Landmark Pro shingles, and our certified installers, these homeowners can feel comfortable knowing their roofing system is protected by a SureStart Plus roofing warranty from CertainTeed, offering a 50-year manufacturer warranty.
Installation Of New Construction Windows and Entry Doors
The next step in weatherproofing this in-law addition was the installation of windows. After exploring various window options and discussing the qualities and warranties offered by different manufacturers at length, the homeowners decided on Harvey Classic new construction windows for their home addition. These windows boast the new 7.0 Energy Rating glass package introduced in October 2023, providing top-notch energy efficiency and significant annual savings on heating and cooling costs.
In addition to the windows, we installed the following:
- A Velux fixed skylight
- Two ThermaTru S4816 entry doors
- One ThermaTru S262-FXG entry door
- One ThermaTru steel basement door
The homeowners chose a factory-painted black finish by REEB Door Solutions for the two front S4816 doors and a factory-painted white finish for the S262-FXG door at the back of the vestibule. Finally, we completed the window and door installations by insulating all windows and adding interior trim.
Vinyl Siding Installation and New Gutters
The last step in ensuring this home addition is weather-tight involves installing siding and gutters. During discussions with the homeowners about siding options, they emphasized matching the new siding with the existing vinyl siding on the main house. This approach allowed them to maintain a cohesive look while staying within budget. To address this, we obtained a sample of the main house’s vinyl siding and found an exact match with Alside D4 Charter Oak. Our team then flashed and installed aluminum coverage on all fascia and rakes. After seamlessly integrating the new vinyl siding with the main house and the addition, we moved on to installing new 5-inch seamless gutters.
In conclusion, adding in-laws in Stoughton, Massachusetts, embodies more than just an expansion of physical space. It represents a foundation for a family to thrive across generations, offering privacy, increasing the home’s market value, and enhancing collective well-being without compromising quality or budget.
Through efficient execution, even in challenging winter conditions, the dedicated contractors delivered a customized space that met all the homeowners’ critical requirements—including a full kitchen, living area, bedroom, bathroom, and office—within four months. This in-law addition affords the family’s independence and is an intelligent investment for future financial stability.
Pride in craftsmanship, adherence to budget constraints, and a commitment to delivering dependable solutions shine through in the success of this home addition. With the added peace of mind provided by comprehensive in-house and manufacturer warranties, these homeowners can rest assured that their investment is secure.
This in-law addition is a testament to what can be achieved with excellent logistics and execution, resulting in a high-quality home addition that is both budget-friendly and tailored to support the unique dynamics of multi-generational living. It stands as a beacon of potential for families considering an in-law addition—not just as a space to live but as a wise investment into the future of their familial and financial legacy.
Home Addition Before and After Photos
