Home Additions in Bloomington, MN

Bloomington grew fast after World War II, and most of its houses went up between the 1950s and the 1970s. A typical East Bloomington rambler was built with two or three modest bedrooms, one bathroom and a small kitchen. That suited family life in 1958 far better than it suits a family now. The streets, though, are why people stay: mature trees, parks close by, neighbors you know. Rather than trade all of that for a bigger house in a newer suburb, many owners keep the address and add the space.

The house itself points to the right addition. A rambler can often take a second story if the foundation and walls can carry it, or a primary suite off the back where the yard allows. Split-levels need more thought, because any new room has to meet one of the existing floor levels. A common answer is extending the upper level over a new lower room. In West Bloomington and near the Minnesota River bluffs, where the ground rolls, an addition can step down the slope and add finished space on two floors. Sometimes a bump-out is enough: a few feet for a bigger kitchen or an entry with real storage.

Every addition here starts with the lot. We confirm what the City of Bloomington's zoning code allows: setbacks from each property line, lot coverage and height. The application often calls for a certificate of survey, so dig out any old one you have. A second story or a long beam brings in a structural engineer to size the framing and footings. Ramblers often have low roof pitches that are easy to get wrong, so we draw the new roof, overhangs and siding to match before framing. Then you get one written price, and we pull the permits and schedule the inspections.