Inside the house
Without changing the house’s footprint: we transform what’s already there.
Additions & extensionsMore space,
More space,
without moving.
An addition, a second storey, an attic or a basement that becomes an office: we add the space you’re missing.
Picture my addition01 / 02
Two ways to gain spaceInside or outside,
Inside or outside,
the room is there.
Outside the house
The house extends: to the side, to the back or upward.
A PBE Rénov expert, ready to listenYour addition,
Your addition,
shall we talk?
Describe your project in a few minutes.
It’s the first step toward your renovation.
The house that growsChoose how
Choose how
it grows.
Inside
Outside
A basement that becomes an office
An office, a bedroom or a family room, without changing the house’s footprint.
What we check
- The clear height under beams and ducts
- Moisture and the waterproofing of the foundation
- A window large enough to get out, if someone sleeps there
A finished attic
A bedroom or a workshop under the roof, lit by a skylight or a dormer.
What we check
- The roof structure: trusses are never altered without calculations
- The usable height under the slope
- Roof insulation and ventilation
A garage turned into a room
A ground-level room, already under the same roof as the house.
What we check
- The slab: its level, its insulation, moisture
- The municipal parking by-law
- Heating and ventilation for the new room
Walls opened up
More space without adding anything: the kitchen, dining room and living room come together.
What we check
- Is the wall load-bearing? The beam and supports are calculated
- The ducts and wiring running through it
- Continuous flooring from one room to the next
An addition
Enlarge the kitchen, add a bedroom or a family room on the ground floor.
For an addition 16 ft wide: about 224 sq ft more.
What we check
- Setbacks and the city’s zoning
- The addition’s foundation and how it ties into the existing one
- Tying in the roof and the building envelope
An extra storey
Double the living space without taking up more of the lot.
What we check
- What the existing foundation and walls can carry
- The height allowed by zoning
- The staircase: where it lands, and the space it takes
A four-season sunroom
A room bathed in light, livable all year round.
What we check
- Glazing and insulation designed for Québec winters
- Orientation: summer sun can overheat it
- A foundation, as for a real room
From the idea to the extra roomThe frame
The frame
goes up.
Visit and feasibility
We visit, measure and check the zoning: what the city allows, and what the house can carry.
Plans and structure
Plans and structural calculations are prepared, with support from PBE Expert depending on the project.
Permit and schedule
The permit application is filed with the city, and the schedule is set with you.
Foundation and framing
The new part takes shape: foundation, floor, walls and roof structure.
Roof and envelope
Roofing, insulation, windows: the new part is closed in before opening into the house.
Finishes and handover
Floors, walls, electrical: the extra room is ready to live in.
The tie-inNew and old,
New and old,
stitched together.
A successful addition is one where you can’t see the join. That is where the work’s durability is decided.
The roof
Slopes, flashing and water runoff meet without a weak point.
The foundation
How the new foundation ties into the existing one is set by the structural calculations.
The envelope
Continuous insulation, air barrier and vapour barrier: no draft at the join.
The systems
Heating, ventilation and electrical are extended, and checked for the added load.
The finishes
Floors at the same level, exterior siding matched to the house.
Before drawingEverything must be
Everything must be
plumb.
Zoning first
Setbacks, allowed height, lot coverage: the city sets the limits. We check them before drawing.
What the house can carry
A storey or an addition adds weight. The existing foundation and structure are assessed before committing.
Systems to extend
More space means more heating, ventilation and sometimes electrical: the existing capacity has to keep up.
A permit before the first shovelful
An addition requires a municipal permit. Preparing it early avoids waiting in the middle of the season.
Structural calculations, with PBE ExpertHeating the new part: solar and heat pump
The extra roomAn office, a bedroom,
An office, a bedroom,
a family room.
Every addition answers a specific need. We start from yours.
Talk about my additionBefore you startThe right
The right
questions.
Do I need a permit to build an addition?
Yes. An addition, a second storey or a garage conversion requires a municipal permit. We prepare the application with you.
How long does an addition take?
Finishing an interior space is generally quicker than an addition or a storey, which also require plans and a permit. The schedule is set after the visit.
Can we stay in the house during the work?
Often, yes, especially for an addition: the opening into the house is made late, once the new part is closed in. We plan the more disruptive moments together.
Who handles the plans and calculations?
We coordinate the plans and, depending on the project, the structural calculations with the required professionals, including our sister company PBE Expert.
Basement or addition: how to choose?
Finishing existing space often costs less than adding a new part. We compare both with you, based on your needs and your lot.
It all starts with a conversation.
What transformation do you have in mind?
Even if your ideas aren’t fully drawn yet. We take the time to understand what matters to you.
Talk about my project