Your living space is getting crowded, yet you are unsure whether to move ahead with another remodeling project.

Why not move to a different house and start over again?

This may sound like a simple solution, but the thought of moving raises many issues.

• Will you have to leave your treasured neighborhood?
• How much will you have to spend for a bigger house or one that has the type of floor plan you are seeking?
• Will you find just what you’re looking for or will you be getting a house that needs work?

Make sure you consider the pros and cons of each scenario.

What You Have Versus What You Want

Start by thinking about what is missing from your current house. Is it a playroom for a growing family? A sun room that overlooks a large yard? A second bathroom or one that allows you to turn around in the space without bumping into the fixtures?

Then consider whether you can change your existing space to add those features. Is your lot large enough for a room addition? Can you expand your master bathroom by taking space from another room or by eliminating a closet? Can you add a room over the garage?

There also are structural issues and zoning regulations to be addressed if you renovate:

• If you finish the basement, for example, will you have to move all the heating ducts to provide a higher ceiling clearance? Is this feasible and how much will it add to the cost?
• Can your foundation support a second story addition?
• Will you have to seek a zoning variance for the project? How likely is it that the variance will be granted?

If you made those changes, would the space fit your needs or would you be trading one problem for another? By eliminating a closet to add space to a bathroom, for example, you are taking away storage space. If storage is at a premium in your house, that may be unwise.

A room addition that enhances your floor plan without taking away too much yard space, however, might be worth the investment. It also can be completed with minimal disruption to the household, unlike a kitchen project that will drastically change your meal routine.

Long Term Solution or Just a Band-Aid?

Also consider how long you could live comfortably in the house after the renovation. If you are adding a second story with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, you may be happy with that extra space for many years to come. If you are adding a powder room in the only place where it will fit, you may just be buying yourself a few years of comfort. 

Costs and Return on Investment

Then find out what the renovation will cost. You can gather estimates from contractors or sketch out your own rough estimate from your past remodeling experience. Even an educated guess will give you an idea of whether to proceed further in this direction. Consider asking a real estate agent whether the improvements will enhance the value and marketability of your home.

After all this research, you may find that remodeling is a short term solution. You might spend $20,000 for extra space that will keep you comfortable for another three to four years.

In the end, the decision may be based partly on emotion. Can you bear to leave the sculpted garden or the ornate wood work that drew you to your house in the first place? Are you so tired of living with tiny rooms that moving seems inevitable?

In some instances, it is best to avoid costly structural changes and move onto the next house. In that case, consider:

• where you will look for housing?
• what type of floor plan will fit your needs?
• will your children have to change schools?
• how will a move affect your commute to work?

In addition to the cost of the new house, add in any extra fees for commissions, legal advice, moving and other related services.