Additions, ADU's & Exterior Structures in Asheville, NC
Add More Space and Possibility to Your Property
In January 2026 Asheville City Council voted to let owners convert pre-existing accessory structures like old garages and sheds into accessory dwelling units by right, removing the variance step that had blocked thousands of parcels with nonconforming setbacks. Building Carolinas Construction and Remodeling builds those conversions in Asheville, NC along with room additions, second story additions, detached garages, decks, porches, screened rooms, and freestanding pergolas. We also work in Hendersonville, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Brevard, and Weaverville.
Adding onto a house is really two projects, and the second one is joining new construction to old without it looking bolted on. Across 24+ years the details that matter have stayed the same: matching the roof pitch, tying the foundation in correctly, and flashing the intersection so it never leaks. Zoning, setbacks, and slope rules all get checked carefully before anything at all is drawn. Send us your address and your idea through our contact page.
Additions, ADUs, and Exterior Structures We Build
Room Additions and Bump-Outs
Fresh footings are tied into the existing foundation, floor and roof framing are matched to what is already there, and the wall opening is made only once the new structure is dry. Siding, roofing, and trim are blended to disappear.
Second Story Additions
Adding a level means proving the existing foundation and framing can carry it, which usually calls for an engineer. Temporary weather protection, staged demolition, and a tight schedule keep the house protected while the roof is genuinely open.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Detached and attached units both need their own kitchen, bathroom, entrance, and utilities, along with compliance with size, height, and setback limits. Converting an existing structure follows quite different rules than building new, so the correct pathway gets confirmed first.
Garage and Carport Construction
Standalone garages need footings below frost depth, correct setbacks from the property line, and a slab poured with the right thickness and reinforcement. Attached construction adds fire separation requirements between the garage and the living space beside it.
Decks, Porches, and Screened Rooms
Ledger attachment and flashing are where decks fail, so those details come first, followed by footings, framing, guards, and stairs. Screened rooms and covered porches then add roof structure, drainage, and connection details that a plain deck never needs.
Pergolas and Exterior Structures
Shade structures, arbors, outdoor kitchens, and pavilions all still need real footings, proper connections, and sometimes a permit. Building them to the same structural standard as the house itself is what keeps them upright through a mountain windstorm.
See Our Work
Explore Building Carolinas Construction & Remodeling’s remodeling projects in Asheville, NC. See our quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and results.
FAQ's
Do I need a permit to build a home addition?
Always. North Carolina's low-cost permit exemption specifically excludes additions, load-bearing structural work, and any change to plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or electrical wiring, so an addition requires a permit no matter what the project itself happens to cost in the end.
Does adding a second story require a new foundation?
Not necessarily, but it does require proof the existing one can carry the load. An engineer evaluates footing size, soil bearing, and wall framing, and reinforcement is sometimes needed at specific points rather than throughout the whole foundation.
Can you add a room over an existing garage?
Frequently yes, though the garage was rarely framed for it. Floor joists usually need sizing up, the foundation gets evaluated, and code requires upgraded fire separation between the garage below and any habitable room that is built above it.
Can I build an ADU in my backyard?
In Asheville, generally yes on a residential lot with a single-family house, subject to size, height, and setback limits. Building Carolinas Construction and Remodeling confirms the specific pathway for your own Asheville, NC parcel before any design work begins.
How big can an ADU be?
Asheville caps accessory dwelling size relative to the primary house, with detached units historically limited to the lesser of 70% of the main dwelling or 800 square feet, and height capped at 25 feet. Current limits should be confirmed.
Can you convert a detached garage into an ADU?
Yes, and Asheville made that route considerably easier in 2026 by allowing conversions of pre-existing accessory structures by right. Insulation, egress, plumbing, electrical service, and a full kitchen all have to be added to meet residential dwelling standards.
How deep do deck footings have to be?
North Carolina requires footings to bear at least 12 inches below finished grade, below the frost line, and some mountain jurisdictions require more than that. Building Carolinas Construction and Remodeling confirms the required depth with each Asheville, NC inspector.
Do pergolas need footings or a permit?
Unattached pergolas need real footings to resist wind uplift regardless of permit status, and attached ones almost always require a permit because they load the house. Local requirements vary quite a bit, so verify before ordering materials or setting any posts.
Why Choose Us for Additions, ADU's & Exterior Structures
Zoning Checked Before Anything Is Drawn
Setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, ADU size caps, and slope thresholds all determine what can legally exist on your property. Confirming all of those first prevents the expensive experience of falling in love with a design that nobody will approve.
Foundations Tied Into What Exists
New footings settle differently than a foundation that has been in the ground for decades, and the joint between them is where cracks show up. Proper doweling, correct bearing depth, and thorough compaction are what keep that seam invisible for good.
Rooflines That Look Original
An addition announces itself through the roof: mismatched pitch, an awkward valley, ridge heights that do not relate. Getting the geometry right is a design decision made early, and it is the single biggest factor in the finished result.
Structures Engineered for Real Loads
Decks carry 40 pounds per square foot of live load on top of their own weight, guards need to resist real force, and lateral connections are code for good reason. Building to those numbers is not optional on anything we construct.
A House You Can Still Live In
Additions are built from the outside in wherever possible, so the existing wall stays intact until the new space is framed, roofed, and dry. That sequencing means far fewer weeks of your family living inside a partially open building.
Space That Adds Value on Paper
Finished area only counts toward measured living space when ceiling heights and access meet the appraisal standard. Designing to those requirements means the square footage you added actually appears on paper when the house is later measured or refinanced.
Add the Room You Need Without Losing the House You Have
The best additions are the ones nobody can identify from the street. Roof pitch continues, siding lines up, trim matches, and the new space feels like it was always part of the plan. That outcome comes from decisions made on paper, before any footing is dug, about geometry and structure and how new work meets old. Building Carolinas Construction & Remodeling approaches Asheville, NC additions and accessory dwellings that way, and does the same for homeowners in Hendersonville, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Brevard, and Weaverville. Tell us what you need more of, and where you were hoping to put it, through our contact page.
Why Choose Us
Locally Owned and Operated
As a locally owned and operated company, we take pride in serving Asheville and the surrounding Western North Carolina communities with personalized service and dependable craftsmanship.
24+ Years in Business
With more than 24 years in business, we bring proven construction knowledge and a long-standing commitment to quality to every remodeling and new construction project.
Pride in Our Work
We treat every project as a reflection of our reputation, taking pride in the details and craftsmanship that go into creating beautiful, functional, and lasting spaces.
Premium Materials
We use high-quality materials selected for durability, appearance, and long-term performance, helping ensure your investment continues to look and perform its best for years to come.
Read Our Reviews
They've done two major jobs at my house and I couldn't be happier with the outcome of both -- a family room after a flood, an addition of a new dining rooom and pantrym and remodel of both bathrooms. It was a lot of work, and I'm thrilled with all of it.
Leslie B.
John and Bryana redid my kitchen , laundry room, 2 bathrooms, foyer, and many other updates. They’re wonderful to work with, creative thorough, dependable, and I consider them family now.
Anne K.
They did a fantastic job and were on time and trust worthy. I highly recommend these folks . I've got more work needed and you can bet they will be the ones to do it.
Jeff E.
Areas We Served
Asheville, NC
Hendersonville, NC
Greenville, SC
Charlotte, NC
Waynesville, NC
Black Mountain, NC
Brevard, NC
Weaverville, NC
Woodfin, NC
Fletcher, NC
Arden, NC
Canton, NC
Mills River, NC
Marion, NC
Flat Rock, NC
Swannanoa, NC
Burnsville, NC
Lake Lure, NC
Rutherfordton, NC
Forest City, NC
Mars Hill, NC
Tryon, NC