Building Up + Out in 2022: Year of the Addition

Following an incredible 2021, dubbed as the “Year of the Whole House,” we are excited to see what this new year will bring! This year we’ll continue ongoing projects, including several additions, adding to our growing “building up and out” list. That is why we are considering 2022 the “Year of Addition”!

Jan 24, 2022 | Projects, Shelby

Members of the crew brace the framing while the lead nails a bottom plate to the subfloor.

Antique Addition

Situated on Newburyport’s prestigious High Street, the Antique Addition entails constructing a 500-plus square foot two-story master suite, including a walk-in closet, bathroom, bedroom, and storage space. Teaming up with Benjamin Nutter Architects, we expect to finish the project around the start of Spring.

Construction began in October 2021, starting with excavation and concrete to prepare and pour the new foundation, respectively. Once the foundation was complete, the first-floor deck was framed, and the crew moved onto the exterior and interior walls of the structure. Following a few weeks of framing, the next task was to tie in the new master suite addition with the existing house and demolish the kitchen. As we tied in the two structures, our rough electrical, plumbing, and HVAC began inside, along with the roofers outside.

We recently received our insulation inspection and have been approved to close up the interior walls. This week, blue board and plaster will begin, which will line up the remaining interior finish phase. Over the next few weeks, the crew will install the interior doors, trim, and kitchen cabinets; and prepare for the hardwood floor installation. Unfortunately, the construction industry is experiencing several delays, specifically with material stock and delivery. Windows have been hit especially hard, with some lead times nearing half a year! The windows for the Antique Addition were not spared; however, we continue to kick butt on the job site and are confident we can end the project on time and within budget.

Exterior elevations of the existing and proposed structure. Drawn by Benjamin Nutter Architects.

Queen Anne Whole House + Addition

Moving a few streets down from the Antique Addition, the Queen Anne Whole House + Addition also kicked off in October 2021, starting with the interior demo only while we waited for our special permit to be approved. Once approved and the interior stripped to the studs, the crew moved outside to begin the structural demolition. Of the 3,250 square feet of space from the existing facades, we removed over 500 square feet to prepare for the future addition, located above the existing first-floor bump-out at the back of the house.

Drawn by Latady Design, the addition adds an extra 190 square feet of living space to the second floor of the house, including a new master bathroom and an enlarged spare bedroom. Not only will we be adding to the existing structure, but we will also complete a whole house remodel from the basement up to the attic.

Members of the crew mobilize material stock to the second floor of the existing structure + a floorplan of the second-floor framing. Photography and Drawing by Kevin Latady of Latady Design.

With the interior and exterior framing complete, we move into the rough phase of the project. Our plumbing subcontractor began his work this week and will take about 1.5-2 weeks to plumb three bathrooms, a kitchen, and a basement. HVAC and rough electrical will follow plumbing, so the team expects a framing inspection around mid-February. Similar to the Antique Addition, the windows are back-ordered without a solid delivery date in sight. Ideally, the crew installs the windows before the rough plumbing and electrical commence. However, to meet our contracted end dates, which is scheduled to end in the early summer months, we continue to push through and develop creative ideas to maintain efficiency.

North Reading Whole House + Addition

Branching away from the Greater Newburyport Area, BLB and crew are working alongside Gina Baran Interiors + Design to renovate and add an addition to a large Colonial in North Reading. Expected to begin in the summer, this project will be nearly as expansive as the existing structure. Already over 3,750 square feet, the addition adds another 1,500 to the home – both up and outward. Below ground, we’ll pour a new slab and foundation walls for an at-home gym, entertainment space, and wet bar. Upstairs, we plan on expanding the first-floor outwards to incorporate an expanded garage, kitchen, pantry, living, and family room. Additionally, the second floor will include another family room above the garage. Outside of the addition scope, the crew will also remodel various rooms around the house, including full remodels throughout the second-floor bed and bathrooms.

Elevation of the proposed addition at the back of the existing structure. Drawn by Vesta Architecture.

Following completion of the three projects above, each will be uploaded to our online portfolio with full details and photos. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join us along our 2022 journey and receive weekly updates regarding our projects.