We’re kicking off an exciting new project at The Cool Colonial: a first-floor bathroom addition that will not only add much-needed functionality to our home but also create the foundation—quite literally—for future expansion.

When we purchased our home last year, we knew it checked many of the boxes on our wish list. It offered more space than our previous house, a significantly larger backyard, and the opportunity to stay in the neighborhood we love.

At the same time, we knew we would be making a few compromises. Unlike our previous home, this house doesn’t have a bathroom on the first floor, and it only has one full bathroom overall. However, we saw the potential to improve the layout and thought it could potentially be in budget if we’re thinking of this as our home for the next 15-20 years.

Our Original Home Addition Plans

From the beginning, our vision was ambitious. We planned to expand the house on all three levels:

• Add a full bathroom on the first floor
• Create a primary suite on the second floor, which currently consists of three bedrooms and one full bathroom
• Extend the attic so the roofline becomes one continuous design, adding more space and keeping curb appeal

Within weeks of moving in, we invited several contractors to evaluate the project and provide preliminary estimates. Based on those early conversations, the renovation appeared to fit within our budget, so we hired an architect to develop plans and prepare bid drawings.

However, once the detailed contractor estimates came back, the numbers were significantly higher than the initial projections. After reviewing the costs, we decided we weren’t comfortable moving forward with the full project all at once.

Choosing a Phased Renovation Approach

Through ongoing discussions with one of the contractors, we developed a more manageable phased renovation plan.

Phase 1 focuses on building a full first-floor bathroom addition. This solves two important issues immediately: it gives us a bathroom on the main level and adds a second shower to the house.

To prepare for future expansion, the plumbing will be run up the new walls so it can easily connect to a future primary suite above. In addition, the foundation will be engineered to support a three-story addition, allowing us to complete the remaining phases when the time is right.

Once we decided to move forward with the revised plan, our architect updated the drawings to reflect the new scope of work.

From there, we worked through the local approval process: passing zoning review and then getting the building permits.

Where the New Bathroom Addition Will Be Located

The new bathroom will be built behind the existing dining room and sunroom, effectively squaring off that side of the house and creating a more functional footprint.

Access to the bathroom will be through the sunroom, with the new doorway located on the right side as you enter the space.

One tradeoff is that we’ll lose the dining room windows currently located on that wall. While losing natural light isn’t ideal, we’re making the decision with the long-term renovation plan in mind. We’re hopeful that future improvements during Phase 2 will restore additional natural light while helping us achieve the overall layout we envision.

Construction is Officially Underway

Just shy of one year after closing on the house, we’re finally beginning the largest renovation project we’ve ever tackled.

The trench for the footings and foundation has already been dug, marking the official start of construction. After months of planning, budgeting, redesigning, and securing permits, it’s exciting to see the construction start.

We’ll be sharing the process, including construction updates, design decisions, renovation costs, challenges, and, of course, the finished results.

Be sure to follow along as we transform The Cool Colonial, starting with this first-floor bathroom addition.