The cost of living is going up, which means that many families are choosing to blend generations under one roof. While the theory of sharing financial burdens with loved ones can seem like a good idea, the reality is that traditional home layouts don’t often cut it when it comes to shared living spaces.
If you are a homeowner and facing the need to bring elderly parents or adult children back into your home, then it might be time to call a New Jersey excavation contractor for assistance. In this guide, we will explore some of the options that you might consider so that your home accommodates multiple generations comfortably, including features to ensure the safety of aging parents or family members with disabilities.
The Rise of Multigenerational Living in New Jersey
The Pew Research Center recently reported that multigenerational living is increasing in popularity across the United States, and we are seeing these trends here in New Jersey. Why are families choosing to share residences? While many people have the dream of owning their own homes, the reality is that this goal might be out of reach for various reasons.
These are some of the most common reasons why more and more people are choosing to live in a multigenerational household:
- High living costs, make it less affordable to live alone
- Housing shortages, which are also driving up housing costs
- Elder care needs for people who are no longer able to live alone because they need support
- Cultural values that include a long history of the younger generations caring for the older generations
- Some people have a desire to build deeper family relationships, which can be achieved through sharing a household
- Shared responsibilities for families who want to live in a community environment
When family members move in together, it can simplify finances for everyone involved. Additionally, caregiving is more accessible if there are other people in the house to assist.
But in order to make this work, it’s critical that you have the right setup to support the needs of everyone involved. The renovations or changes that you make to your home can have an undeniable impact on comfort, privacy, and access.
Three Options for Upgrading Your Home for Multigenerational Living
What is the best way to prepare your home for multigenerational living? Every situation is unique, which is why you need to consider your current floor plan, available space, and whether there is room on the property for an expansion. If you need help with planning and you are getting ready to move forward with the project, then reach out to a New Jersey excavation contractor for more information on how to prepare your property.
Adding an Addition
Consider adding a full suite or a “mother-in-law apartment,” which gives your family members a private space where they can live. If you want more privacy, then you’ll need to include a bedroom, bathroom, and even a small kitchen or kitchenette. If you create a big enough living area, then the extra space feels independent (while still being connected to the main structure). This type of addition requires permitting, design work, and even basement excavation or a foundation extension. But it’s worth the investment when you consider the long-term benefits. Even if your family members are no longer living in the addition in the future, you can always turn it into an income source with renters.
Pool Removal
If you have an old pool that is no longer being used, then it might be time for pool removal to free up space for your new home expansion. Keep in mind that it’s necessary to hire a New Jersey excavation contractor to help with full pool removal – a partial removal isn’t sufficient when you are repurposing the land or building over the area. So, if you want to put an addition on your home or you are looking at options for an accessory dwelling unit, then complete pool removal will be a prerequisite. Putting the extra living area in the backyard can allow your family members to have a separate entrance to access their apartment.
Guest House or Auxiliary Building
Another option for multigenerational homes is to build a guest house or small auxiliary building on your property. An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can take open space on your property and turn it into practical, usable space for a member of your family, providing the warmth and support of multigenerational living while still providing some level of privacy. If the lot and your municipality allow for the addition of an ADU, we can clear and prepare the land for construction, priming the space for your next steps towards completing your project.
The Role of an Excavation Contractor in Upgrading Your Home
There’s no question that you will need to hire a New Jersey excavation contractor for your upcoming project. It doesn’t matter if you are investing in an addition, an ADU, or a basement conversion: you need the experts on site to ensure a successful completion. Our team is here to help with the necessary excavation for your multigenerational home upgrades, including soil prep, grading, foundation digging, drainage systems, and more.
Hire an Experienced New Jersey Excavation Contractor
What questions do you have when you are preparing your home to accommodate multigenerational living? As you are exploring your options, we invite you to reach out to a New Jersey excavation contractor you can trust: Mikula Contracting. Our team is always just a phone call away and ready to help with your upcoming projects.