01→
HORIZONTAL ADDITIONS
Build out.
Expand your home’s footprint with a rear addition, side addition, or bump-out. Think a larger kitchen, a new living area, or a main-level suite.
More space on the ground floor ↗CHICAGOLAND HOME ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS
More room.
Same roots.
Your first home doesn’t have to be your last fit. BigR Home helps Chicagoland homeowners create the space for what’s next—with an addition that builds on the place you already call home.
Explore your home’s potential ↗Build out. Build up. Think BigR.
Explore Chicagoland communities ↗CONCEPT ILLUSTRATION · EVERY HOME IS DIFFERENT
THE BIGR IDEAKeep the address.
Rethink the space.
Rethink the space.
A bigger kitchen.A dedicated office.Room for everyone.A home that fits again.
THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GROW
Same home.
New possibilities.
Maybe you need one more room. Maybe you need a whole new level. Start with how you want to live, then explore the right direction.
02↑
SECOND-STORY ADDITIONS
Build up.
Explore a full or partial second-story addition. Create room for bedrooms, bathrooms, or a quiet workspace above your existing living space.
A new level of possibility ↗03↗
ROOFLINE & ATTIC EXPANSIONS
Raise the roof.
Explore raising or reframing the roof, dormer additions, and attic conversions where the structure and available headroom allow.
Make the most of what’s overhead ↗The right approach depends on your existing foundation and framing, lot setbacks, height limits, utilities, and local approvals. Structural and zoning review comes before a final scope.
OUTGROWN DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN MOVING ON
You love where you live.
Let’s work on how it lives.
The kitchen feels small. The dining table doubles as your desk. The spare room isn’t spare anymore.
BigR Home is built around a simple idea: give your home room to grow with you. Tell us what isn’t working—and what a bigger space could change.
Tell us what you’re imagining ↗MAKE ROOM. MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.
A BigR renovation.
Or a bigger home?
Before you commit to an addition, take a look at both paths. The right choice should fit your life, your property, and your budget.
Start with what your home is worth today.
A comparative market analysis can help you understand your home’s value in its current condition. Then explore its potential market value after the proposed renovation, using comparable homes and the planned scope. Pair those insights with your project budget and the cost of buying a larger home.
STAY & EXPAND
Build on what you love.
An addition may make sense when you love your location and your property can accommodate the space you need.
- Review construction, architecture, engineering, permit fees, and a contingency for unknowns.
- Factor in financing, temporary housing, and potential changes to property taxes and insurance.
- Compare the investment with the home’s potential finished value and the years you plan to enjoy it.
SELL & BUY
Find the space that fits.
A move may be the better fit when your current lot, structure, or renovation budget limits what is possible.
- Estimate sale proceeds after your mortgage payoff and selling expenses.
- Compare available larger homes, purchase costs, moving expenses, and any immediate improvements.
- Review the new monthly payment, property taxes, insurance, and how the location fits your needs.
Let’s compare your options.
An optional real estate consultation can add another perspective as you weigh your next move.
A broker’s market analysis is an estimate, not an appraisal or a guaranteed sale price. Potential post-renovation value depends on the completed scope, quality, and market conditions. Renovation costs do not necessarily translate dollar for dollar into resale value.
YOUR PATH TO A BIGR HOME
From the first conversation
to the final walkthrough.
A clear plan makes a big project feel more manageable. Here’s the typical path for an Illinois home addition or major renovation.
MEET
Meet the BigR Home team.
Tell us how you live, what feels tight, and what you want your home to become. We’ll discuss your priorities, budget, timing, and whether building out, building up, or reworking the existing space is the best starting point.
EXPLORE
Review feasibility & an initial estimate.
Review existing conditions and early zoning questions, including setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits. The team provides a preliminary budget range for the approach that best fits your needs, subject to design, structural review, selections, and site conditions.
DESIGN
Meet your architect team member.
Turn your wish list into a workable design with the project’s licensed architect. Develop layouts and construction drawings, with structural engineering and a survey as needed. Refine the plans and budget together before moving forward.
DEFINE
Finalize the scope & agreement.
Review the detailed scope, specifications, selections, allowances, and updated pricing. Put responsibilities, payment milestones, estimated timing, and the process for written change orders into the construction agreement. Confirm financing and a contingency.
APPROVE
Secure local permits.
Submit the required plans and documents to your municipality—or county for unincorporated property. Address plan-review comments and any required zoning approvals. Required permits must be issued before the work they cover begins.
SCHEDULE
Confirm your start date.
With approvals in place, coordinate the crew, material lead times, and construction schedule. Review site access, utility interruptions, dust protection, and whether temporary relocation is needed. Confirm the start date and key milestones with the team.
BUILD
Construction begins.
Work progresses through the stages your project requires: demolition, excavation and foundation work, structural framing, roof and exterior enclosure, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-ins, insulation, and finishes. Required inspections occur along the way; scope and cost changes are documented for approval.
WELCOME HOME
Walk through your finished space.
Complete final inspections and any required occupancy approval, review the punch list, and resolve remaining items. Walk through your new space with the team and collect applicable warranties, care information, and closeout documents.
Every home has its own path.
Meet with the BigR Home team ↗Design, pricing, and permit review may overlap or require revisions. Requirements and review times vary by municipality and scope; weather, material availability, and existing conditions can affect the schedule.
Illinois planning resources
Arlington Heights permits · Local inspections · Illinois home repair consumer guide. Confirm the requirements for your address with the local building department.
BEFORE WE MEET
Bring your ideas.
We’ll help with the next steps.
You don’t need finished plans to get started. A few details can make your first conversation more useful.
- Your wish listThe rooms you need, what isn’t working, and your must-haves.
- A few photosCurrent rooms and the outside of your home, ready to discuss at your meeting.
- A budget & timing rangeEven an early range helps frame practical options.
- What you already haveExisting plans or a property survey, if available. No need to order new documents before we talk.
LET’S MAKE ROOM
What would you do
with a BigR Home?
Tell us a little about your home and the space you need. The BigR Home team will help you explore the next steps for your project.
No obligation. Just a starting point.GOOD QUESTIONS. A BETTER START.
Before you go BigR.
Where does BigR Home serve?+
BigR Home serves the Chicagoland area, including Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Share your city and ZIP code through the inquiry form to discuss your location and the scope of your addition or renovation.
Can my home support a second story?+
That requires a property-specific review of the foundation, framing, load paths, and local height restrictions. An inquiry is the first step—not a determination of structural feasibility.
Is building out or building up the better option?+
It depends on your lot, existing structure, goals, and budget. Building out uses ground area; building up adds floor area above and may require reinforcement of the existing structure.
How much will an addition cost?+
There is no one-size-fits-all price. Square footage, structural work, kitchens and bathrooms, finishes, site conditions, and design requirements all affect the scope. The budget ranges on this form help start the conversation; they are not estimates.
Can I stay home during construction?+
It depends on the scope, access, utilities, and safety requirements. Roof removal or major structural work may require temporary relocation. Discuss occupancy planning before work begins.
CHICAGO & THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS
Your neighborhood.
Your next chapter.
Explore our Chicagoland service-area guide. Select your community to start a conversation about a home addition or renovation.
54 communities shown
Chicago neighborhoods
Northwest suburbs
North Shore & nearby suburbs
West & southwest suburbs
Don’t see your community? This is a starting guide, not an exhaustive list. Availability is confirmed for your address, project scope, and scheduling. Local zoning and permit requirements vary.
Ask about your area ↗AN OPTIONAL RESOURCE FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Meet the Broker.
A local real estate perspective,
whenever you need one.
HomeSmart Connect
Jay Caracci
Real Estate Broker · Chicagoland
Whether you’re weighing an addition, wondering what your home could sell for, or exploring a larger home, Jay can help you understand the local market and compare your options.
Explore your home’s current market value and potential value after renovation, or discuss buying and selling through a separate real estate consultation.
Real estate services are optional and separate from your BigR Home project inquiry. You’re welcome to work with the broker of your choice.
Meet Jay at JayCaracci.com ↗