More room, built into the house you already own
A successful addition should feel as though it was always part of the house. That takes more than framing a new room onto an exterior wall. The floor elevations have to meet, the roof has to drain correctly, the new foundation has to respond to the existing structure, and the heating and electrical systems have to support the added load. Dena House coordinates those decisions before work begins so they do not become expensive surprises after demolition.
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A successful project resolves the work behind the walls with the same care as the rooms you see.
We work on substantial additions for older homes across Montgomery County, Maryland: expanded kitchens and family rooms, primary suites, second stories, in-law space and multi-room rear additions. The principal stays involved from the early site walk through structural coordination and construction. You have one point of contact who understands both the drawings and what is happening in the field.
Scope
We examine setbacks, lot coverage, access, grades and the existing framing before a design is treated as buildable. Structural loads, bearing points and connections to the existing house are coordinated with the design team and engineer.
Scope can include excavation, concrete footings and walls, waterproofing, drainage, framing, sheathing, insulation, windows, exterior cladding and the roof tie-in. Temporary protection is planned so the occupied house stays secure and weather-tight.
An addition often changes more than square footage. We evaluate HVAC capacity and distribution, electrical service, plumbing routes, fire protection requirements and energy-code details rather than assuming the existing systems can absorb the new space.
We prepare the construction path around the actual address. Montgomery County additions may require building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, drainage, WSSC, zoning and municipal approvals, depending on the project and property.
Budget
Addition budgets are driven first by size and type. A simple one-story room on an accessible, level site is fundamentally different from a second-story addition that requires reinforcing the house below. Foundation depth, excavation access, underpinning and retaining work can move the budget quickly.
The next major variables are the number of kitchens and bathrooms, window and door packages, exterior materials, HVAC strategy and whether the electrical service needs to be upgraded. Matching hard-to-source brick, stone, roofing or trim on an older house also affects cost and lead time.
We do not publish a universal price per square foot because it hides the decisions that matter. After a site visit and review of the intended scope, we organize an estimate by trade so you can see where the money is going and make useful choices before construction starts.
Working timeline
These are planning ranges rather than promises. Address, scope, design completeness, review agencies, procurement and concealed conditions all affect the actual schedule.
Survey, zoning review, design development, structural coordination and selections. Complex sites or multiple design rounds need more time.
Timing depends on jurisdiction, completeness of the drawings and any WSSC, municipal, historic, zoning or neighbor review.
Excavation, structure and weather-tight enclosure come first, followed by rough trades, inspections, insulation, drywall, finishes and final approvals.
Before design advances
Questions we hear
Most substantial additions require measured drawings, zoning analysis and coordinated architectural and structural documents. We can work with your architect or help define the team needed for the project.
Often, yes, but it depends on how much of the existing house is opened and whether a kitchen, bathroom or main stair is affected. We discuss safe separation, utility outages and realistic living conditions before work starts.
Design and permits often take several months before construction. Field work commonly takes four to ten months or more depending on scale, access, structure, weather and finish complexity.
That is the goal, but exact matches are not always available. We study roof geometry, window proportions, masonry, siding and trim early enough to decide whether to match, blend or make a deliberate transition.
Dena House coordinates required building and trade permits, keeps approved documents on site and schedules the inspections tied to our scope.