House Bump Out: Create More Space with a Bump Out Addition

Do you find that certain rooms inside your kitchen are slightly smaller than you need them to be? If so, you may want to build a bump-out addition.

House bump-outs can turn out to be the perfect additions to your home. Whenever you need that extra bit of space to make a room more comfortable or functional, you can build a bump-out to solve the problem.

In this article, we will learn more about the house bump out. We will define what a bump out is and highlight how it benefits your home. We will also get into how much building a new bump out will cost.

Defining the Bump Out Addition

To get things started, let’s first define what a bump-out addition is. You may sometimes hear people refer to bump-outs as home additions, which can be confusing. Technically, a bump out is a type of home addition.

The main characteristic that separates the bump-out from other types of home additions is its size.

Bump-outs are small. An addition may only introduce about two feet of space to your home, and it would still be considered a bump-out.

Being small is seen as a desirable quality for some bump-outs. Because of the size, you will not need to add any foundation to accommodate it. The bump-out can be cantilevered from your current foundation and still stand well.

Typically, bump-outs also do not require homeowners to install any additional roofing or ductwork. The bump-out should already receive more than enough heating or cooling from the system you have in place.

Although bump-outs are often small, you can also make them larger if you need a good supplemental space. Some can extend 15 feet away from the original wall.

However, building a bump-out that adds a lot of space will be more costly and labor-intensive. At that point, you may also need to add foundation, roofing, and ductwork.

Where Are Bump Outs Typically Installed?

You can install a bump-out anywhere if there is an exterior wall there. The exterior wall is necessary because that is the one you will open to create the space for the bump-out. Without that wall, you cannot construct the bump-out.

That condition aside, you have free rein to choose where the bump-out will go. Still, you will most often see homeowners add it to an existing kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.

Let’s discuss why those parts of the home are such popular destinations for bump-outs.

Adding a Bump Out to Your Kitchen

The kitchen is not always a comfortable space.

The temperature in the kitchen tends to rise when the burners are going, and steam is rising from the dishes you are preparing. It is often the most humid room in any home.

In addition to the warm temperatures, kitchens can also become uncomfortable due to how cramped they are. Space can be hard to come by inside the kitchen, especially with all the appliances and cabinets.

Creating an open concept kitchen is an option, but you may not want to change your current layout.

Those issues underscore why adding a bump-out to the kitchen is such a good idea.

The addition frees up the space you need. With the additional space available, you can arrange the appliances better. You can even make use of that space to build some new cabinets or construct a kitchen island.

All that space also allows the air to circulate better. You do not need to be exposed constantly to the humid air anymore.

Adding a Bump Out to Your Bathroom

Early on, you may have been content with having a shower, sink, and toilet inside your bathroom. Now that you have more money to spend on improving your home, you may be interested in transforming your bathroom.

A bathtub, a vanity, and a sauna are just some of the fantastic new features that are worth adding. You can add them to your bathroom after they build the bump-out.

You can also use the extra space created by the bump out to update the fixtures you currently have installed. Install larger and more comfortable fixtures if you need them.

Adding a Bump Out to Your Bedroom

Lastly, you can also add a bump-out to your bedroom to improve that part of your home.

After installing it, you can use the space to create a larger cabinet. You may even build that walk-in closet you have always wanted.

You can also use the space provided by the bump out to create a lounge area. Add some cushions there and some good lighting, and it can also become your reading nook.

The point is you can do all sorts of things with that space. Consult with a contractor if you want to get some ideas regarding that additional space at your disposal.

The Pros and Cons of Bump Outs

It can be difficult to decide if your home could use a bump-out addition. Even if you feel like your bathroom or kitchen could benefit from some additional space, you may be having a tough time justifying the construction.

When faced with a conundrum like that, it helps to gain some perspective. Here in this section, we are highlighting the pros and cons of building a house bump out. Check them out yourself and decide if the benefits are worth the drawbacks.

Let’s start by detailing the pros of building that new bump-out.

Pros:

• Get the Exact Amount of Space You Need – Building a bump out is a great idea if you want to add a precise amount of space. Determine how much space you need and build accordingly.
• Avoid Disrupting Your Outdoor Landscape – Bump-outs add more space without taking over your yard. Preserve your outdoor landscape and architecture by building bump-outs instead of full room additions.
• Compatible Design – It is possible to add a bump-out without disrupting your existing décor. That is part of the reason why many homeowners prefer building bump-outs.
• More Affordable – Accessory dwelling units provide a lot of space, but they can be expensive to build. You can save more money by building a bump-out instead.
• Faster Construction – Building a bump out is advisable if you need that extra space as soon as possible. Compared to other home additions, you can finish it relatively quickly because they are simpler projects. Cons:

• Limited Space – Do not expect to turn the bump-out space into a new living area. If your goal is to create a new room, you should build a new dwelling unit.
• Cannot Be Built Anywhere You Like – You must choose the right spot for your bump-out. Choose a spot where you will not be interrupting any supply lines; otherwise, the project will be more expensive and complicated.
• Finishing Items Required – A bump-out can be integrated easily into your home décor but doing so requires using the right finishing items. Unless you use those items, the bump-out will appear detached from the rest of your home.

How Much Will Building a Bump Out Addition Cost?

Hopefully, you now know if adding a bump-out to your property makes sense. If you have decided that you want a bump-out, you must understand how much that will cost.

So, how much will building that new bump-out cost? That depends on a variety of cost factors.

We have highlighted those cost factors below, so you have a better idea of what to expect when the time comes to start building.

Size of the Bump Out

The size of the bump-out is arguably the most important cost factor you must consider. Decide how large you want it to be before worrying about other matters.

According to Home Advisor, a bump-out that adds 20 square feet to your home will cost $1,700 on the low end. You may also find yourself paying as much as $4,200 for a bump out of that size.

Bump outs that add 90 square feet are among the largest options you can build. You should expect to spend at least $7,650 if you want a bump-out that provides that much additional space. On the high end, a bump-out that adds 90 square feet may cost nearly $19,000.

As you can see, the price range is quite large if you are accounting for size. Be as precise as you can when deciding how big you need the bump out to be. That way, you will not spend more than what is necessary.

Essential Components

We have already mentioned previously that a bump out does not need additional foundation. That is true, but only if you are building a small bump-out. If you want a large one that extends far from your wall, you will need to lay down a new foundation.

Roofing and ductwork typically are not required for small ones, but that is not the case if you are building something big.

Connections

You should think carefully about the items you want to place within the bump-out space.

Do you want to install a new countertop along with an outlet in that area? Are you interested in positioning the new bathtub there, so it is out of the way?

It is up to you to decide which items go in the bump-out space but remember that additional installations may be required to accommodate certain features.

For example, you will need additional wiring to make the new outlet functional. You will also need to install new plumbing for the bathtub.

Carefully plan how you will use the space if you do not want to take on those additional expenses.

Finishing Items

We already touched on this briefly, but you may need finishing items to complete the bump-out. Those finishing items will help it blend in with the rest of your home.

Examples of finishing items you may need for the bump-out include floor tiles, wallpaper, paint, and some siding.

If the old wall you are removing previously held windows, you may need to add windows to your bump out too.

Labor Costs

Even though a bump out is a relatively small home addition, it is still not a project you should tackle solo. The project still requires completing numerous steps that may be unfamiliar to hobbyists and DIYers.

This specific building project will involve opening your wall, cantilevering your flooring, and installing temporary supports. If you are not going to cantilever the bump-out, you need to create some new foundation.

There are also other steps you may need to complete, such as installing new roofing, pipes, and wiring.

Leave the task of building the bump-out up to the professionals. You will pay more for their services, but that is the best way to ensure that the bump-out will turn out exactly as you expected.

Permits

Do not start working on your new bump-out without securing the relevant permits first. Failing to secure those permits, and you may receive onerous fines. In some cases, they may tear it down because you built it without a permit.

According to Angi, a building permit for this type of project will cost somewhere in the range of $400 to $1,500.

You can ask your contractor to get the permit. They may also secure it faster because they are already familiar with the process.

House bump-outs give homeowners a way to increase their interior space without paying for a full-fledged home addition. Building a bump out is a cost-effective way of solving the issues presented by your cramped home.

Contact us at Eco Minded Solutions if you want a bump-out added to your property. We will work closely with you to ensure that the bump out fits your home perfectly.