Outgrowing Your Farmingdale Home? The Guide to Dormers and Extensions

It’s the classic Long Island dilemma: You love your neighborhood, your schools, and your low mortgage rate… but your house is bursting at the seams. Maybe you have a third child on the way, or maybe you need a dedicated home office. You start looking at Zillow, only to realize that buying a larger home in Farmingdale or Massapequa will cost you double what you paid for your current one.

The solution isn’t moving; it’s expanding. At Lee Home Improvement, we specialize in turning 3-bedroom Capes and Ranches into 4 or 5-bedroom Colonials. This guide breaks down the two ways to add space: Building Up (Dormers) vs. Building Out (Extensions).

Option 1: The Dormer (Building Up)

If you live in a Cape Cod style home, your second floor is likely cramped with slanted ceilings that make half the room unusable. A dormer literally raises the roof.

The Rear Dormer

This is the most popular renovation on Long Island. We lift the entire back roofline of the house to be flat. This instantly turns a cramped attic into full-height bedrooms and allows for the addition of a full second bathroom. It adds massive square footage without changing the footprint of your home.

The “A-Frame” or Doghouse Dormer

These are smaller, window-sized pop-outs on the front of the roof. While they add curb appeal and natural light, they don’t add as much walkable floor space as a full rear dormer.

Option 2: The Extension (Building Out)

If you have a large backyard, building out might be the answer. Extensions are perfect for:

• Great Rooms: expanding a small kitchen into a large open-concept family room.
• Master Suites: Adding a first-floor master bedroom and bath (ideal for aging in place).
• Sunrooms: Creating a 4-season room for dining and entertaining.

The Comparison: Up vs. Out

Which is right for you? It depends on your lot size and your budget.

The “Shell” vs. “Full Finish”

For budget-conscious homeowners, Lee Home Improvement offers a “Shell” option. We build the structure, do the roofing, siding, windows, and framing—making the house weather-tight. You then handle the insulation, drywall, and painting yourself (or hire us later to finish it). This can save you thousands upfront.

Love Your Home Again

Don’t leave the neighborhood you love just because you need another bedroom. Let us help you unlock the hidden potential in your current house.

Ready to expand? Call Lee Home Improvement at (516) [Insert Number] for a feasibility consultation.