Outdoor living space is a luxury. It invites you to slow down, disconnect from the daily hustle, and tune into what matters — plus it adds to the size and value of your home. Many homeowners have already taken the first step and invested in an outdoor living space addition for these reasons. But what comes after that? 

Throughout life, what you need out of your home changes as you and your family grow. The problem is that your home doesn't change with you — at least not on its own. Only you, as the homeowner, have the power to update your home to fit your current and future needs. A remodel might do the job, but often reconfiguring your current space simply isn't enough; to achieve a home that truly meets your needs, you require more space.

Feeling crowded in your small home? Dying to do something with that unfinished portion of your basement? The extra space and function offered by building an addition to your home might be the solution to your problem. Chances are, you’re already considering one. 

When you’re planning an addition to your Portland, Oregon, home, it’s best to take a team approach to a job that has so many facets. Your team will include players such as your own family, financial professionals, city officials, architects, engineers, designers, builders, subcontractors, and more. Let’s consider where you should start.

Portland, Oregon is a city brimming with a rich past and, if you own a historical home, you have your very own personal piece of that history. As such, it’s your responsibility to preserve your home, its architecture, and the bygone era it represents so it can be enjoyed by future generations. That means remodeling a historic home can be pretty high stakes (as if remodeling an older home isn’t difficult enough to begin with). 

Maybe your family is outgrowing your home and you don’t want to move, or you bought a small house that you’d always planned to expand. Whatever the reason, tackling your Portland, Oregon home addition can be serious work. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. We pride ourselves on giving our customers the best experience possible; that means giving them — and you — the information you need to plan ahead. So, if you’re wondering how to add an addition to your home in the suburban Portland, Oregon area, start by answering these questions!

The prospect of a whole home remodel can be exciting—even if many aspects are relatively unknown, including the cost. Below is a look at a few average prices of remodeling jobs that are typically included in a whole-house remodel. Keep in mind that the figures below are based on collective data for the Portland metro area; actual figures may vary. As a next step toward understanding what such a makeover could cost for your home, contact local architects, builders, and design-build companies like COOPER Design Build. We have a long history of creatively remodeling and expanding homes in the Portland, Oregon area.

It seems like everyone these days has a smart home. If you’re starting to feel left out, you should know that making a smart home isn’t as complicated as you might think. The latest systems integrate seamlessly so that you don’t have to spend all your time with tech support to figure it out. If you’re thinking about remodeling your home in Portland, OR and you wonder how smart technology might fit in, we’ve got a few ideas for you to consider.

If you have the means to undertake a high-end remodel of your Portland, Oregon, home, take plenty of time to dream about the luxuries you might include. And then start prioritizing your list of features to determine which ones will be essential to your remodel. Of course, everyone’s list will be different, based on lifestyle, family situation, interests, and budget. Here are some features that will appear on most lists, and some more extreme choices that won’t be for everyone.

What IS The Ask Cooper Anything Q&A Series?

We asked our community to anonymously send us any questions they had regarding remodeling, interior design, or general home improvement.