It Starts With a Clear Understanding of Your Home
The right addition depends on your home's era, structure, and lot. Most homeowners come to us with one of these situations:
- A post-war ranch or Cape Cod where the choice between a rear addition or second story depends on lot coverage and setbacks.
- A 1960s or 1970s split-level that's structurally sound but missing a primary suite, home office, or connected living space.
- A 1980s or 1990s colonial that needs an in-law suite, expanded kitchen, or great room to match how the household uses the space today.
- An existing structure where the homeowner isn't sure whether an addition or a teardown-rebuild is the more practical path.
The first conversation is always about the existing home, allowing us to create a clear, stress-free plan before design begins.
Our Completed Projects Across Long Island
Our completed home additions and renovation projects across Melville and western Suffolk County reflect consistent structural planning, high-quality finishes, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction through every phase of the project.
Each project is built to integrate with the existing home while improving function and long-term usability.
Homeowner Reviews and Experiences
The success of any project comes down to both the result and the experience along the way.
We focus on clear communication, organized project management, and consistent execution from start to finish.
Here’s what homeowners have shared about working with our team.
PRO New York Remodeler of the Year Awards
Center Island Contracting received three awards at the PRO New York Remodeler of the Year Awards Gala Gold for Residential Kitchen, Platinum for Residential Exterior, and Platinum for Entire House renovation. These reflect evaluated project quality measured against the best remodeling firms in New York State.
Gold
Residential Kitchen
$60,001-$100,000
Platinum
Residential Exterior
$100,001-$200,000
Platinum
Entire House
$750,001-$1,000,000
How Home History Shapes Your Addition
Melville developed primarily after World War II, and that history shapes what additions require in terms of structural planning, permitting, and systems work.
The Range of Homes in the Area
Agricultural and Estate Era (Before 1945)
Melville, originally called Sweet Hollow, was farmland before suburban development, so pre-war homes are rare. The Walt Whitman Birthplace in nearby West Hills is a notable example. Any home from this period requires a thorough structural evaluation before planning an addition.
Post-War Ranch and Cape Cod Era (1945 to 1962)
This is Melville’s most common housing type. Ranches and Cape Cod Styles were built on former farmland after major parkways opened the area to development. These homes typically range from 1,100 to 1,600 square feet, with systems now 60 to 75 years old, making them strong candidates for additions once infrastructure is assessed.
Split-Level and Bi-Level Era (1962 to 1978)
Split-level and bi-level homes are common in Melville and the Half Hollow Hills area. Additions require careful planning around grade changes and how new construction ties into the existing structure.
Colonial Era (1978 to 1998)
Larger colonial homes, typically 2,200 to 3,200 square feet, were built in newer subdivisions. These homes generally support additions such as in-law suites, primary suites, or kitchen expansions with less structural reconfiguration.
Cost Clarity:
What Influences the Cost of an Addition
Addition costs are shaped by five primary variables:
Structure and Foundation
- Ground-level additions require a new foundation. Cost varies with soil conditions and whether the existing foundation needs reinforcement at the connection point.
- Second-story additions require a structural assessment of existing walls, headers, and foundation capacity. Post-war ranches and split-levels frequently need header or wall reinforcement.
Permitting
- All additions require a Town of Huntington building permit.
- Additions that increase bedroom or bathroom count also require Suffolk County Department of Health Services review.
- ZBA variance applications add time and cost when setback or coverage limits are exceeded.
Systems Integration
HVAC is planned during the design phase to ensure seamless mechanical integration before framing begins.
Center Island Contracting addresses duct routing, soffit placement, zoning, and system selection during the design phase.
Typical ranges on Long Island:
A fixed-price contract, produced after full pre-construction documentation, is the only way to hold a budget number with real confidence.
Proudly Serving Melville and Nearby Communities
Center Island Contracting serves Melville and surrounding communities throughout the Town of Huntington and western Suffolk County.
We regularly work in: Rollingwood | Strathmore Hills | Country Village | West Hills Ridge / West Hills Ridge II | Tuxedo Hills | The Villages West | The Estates at Melville | The Greens at Half Hollow | Northgate at Melville
Dining Near Our Melville Projects
While we are focused on transforming the interiors of Melville homes, we know the area has a great dining scene worth knowing about. Here are a few well-regarded spots close by.
Blackstone Steakhouse
One of Long Island's most celebrated dining destinations, Blackstone Steakhouse on Pinelawn Road in Melville is known for its upscale atmosphere, attentive service, and standout dishes
Dining at The Refuge
Enjoy a vibrant dining experience featuring Latin and Italian inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and one of Long Island’s favorite brunch destinations, all served in a stylish indoor and outdoor setting.
Dining at One10 Modern Italian Steakhouse
Experience elevated modern Italian dining with prime dry aged steaks, handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and an award winning wine selection, all in a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere.
What You Need to Know
Planning and Permitting in Melville
Town of Huntington Building Division
All residential additions require a building permit from the Town of Huntington Building Department, including architectural drawings, a site plan, and an updated survey. Standard permit review runs 6–12 weeks from a complete submission. Center Island Contracting manages the full submission and weekly follow-up.
You can access permit applications, and submittal requirements the Town’s online portal.
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
If an addition requires a setback, lot coverage, or height variance, which is common on Melville’s smaller post-war lots, a ZBA application is required. Hearings are scheduled monthly, so this timeline must be planned for from the start.
Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS)
Any addition that increases bedroom count or adds a bathroom requires septic review by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. An aging or undersized system may require an upgrade before the building permit is finalized. Center Island Contracting checks septic status during the initial site evaluation.
Most residential properties in Melville are not located in a historic district, so they do not require architectural review. An exception may apply to homes near the Walt Whitman Birthplace in West Hills, where additional review could be required.
Visit Our Design Studio & Showroom
Center Island Contracting maintains a design studio and showroom where Melville homeowners make material and finish selections alongside the project team. Reviewing full-scale samples in person gives homeowners a clear picture of quality differences before anything is specified or ordered.
By Appointment Only - Focused Time With Our Team
What to Bring: Inspiration photos, current space photos, preliminary budget
What We Provide: Guided selections, take-home samples, detailed specifications, timeline coordination
Why Homeowners Trust Our Work
A Clear, Coordinated Approach to Home Additions
Home additions involve multiple moving parts, and without the right structure, they can quickly become overwhelming. Center Island Contracting provides a coordinated, stress-free approach that keeps every phase aligned, from initial planning to final construction. The result is a smoother experience and consistent execution.
The Home Additions We Build
Every addition is designed around the existing structure, lot conditions, and what the Town of Huntington will permit on the specific parcel.
Second-Story Additions
Converting a ranch or split-level into a full two-story home. Requires structural assessment of first-floor framing and foundation before design begins. We manage the full structural evaluation, design, and build process to ensure the new level integrates properly with the existing home.
Primary Suite Additions
Dedicated primary bedroom with en suite bath and walk-in closet. Frequently requested by long-term Melville homeowners. We design and build primary suites that improve privacy, layout, and long-term comfort within the home.
Kitchen Expansions
Expanding the kitchen footprint into the rear yard or adjacent room, often paired with an open-plan reconfiguration. We handle layout redesign, structural modifications, and finish selections to create a more functional and connected kitchen space.
In-Law Suite / Accessory Living Space
Self-contained space with bedroom, bath, and optional kitchenette. Town of Huntington ADU requirements must be confirmed early. We plan and build in-law suites that meet local requirements while maintaining consistency with the main home.
Family Room or Great Room Addition
Rear additions creating larger gathering space, common in post-war homes where original living rooms are undersized. We build these spaces to improve flow and create practical, everyday living areas that connect naturally to the rest of the home.
Home Office Addition
Purpose-built workspace separate from the main living area. Center Island Contracting designs and constructs home offices that provide privacy, functionality, and integration with the existing layout.
Areas Served Near Melville
Center Island Contracting serves Melville, Dix Hills, Commack, South Huntington, Huntington Station, Wheatley Heights, Farmingdale, Plainview, Woodbury, Syosset, Bethpage, Jericho, and Huntington across the Route 110 corridor and broader Nassau and Suffolk County.
Other Services We Provide
Additions by Home Style
Cape-Style Additions
Dormers, rear extensions, or both. Roofline integration is the primary design challenge, the addition needs to tie in seamlessly with the existing structure.
Ranch-Style Additions
Ground-level rear or side extensions, or full second-story additions. Second-story work on ranches requires a structural review of wall framing and foundation capacity. Lot coverage limits in the Town of Huntington often make vertical expansion the practical choice.
Split-Level Additions
Grade-change transitions must be addressed at the connection point so the new structure ties in flawlessly with the original. Additions that ignore these transitions create circulation and structural problems. Center Island Contracting has completed split-level additions throughout the Half Hollow Hills area.
Our Approach to Designing and Building Additions
We focus on what matters most for older homes:
Consultation & Site Assessment
Assess goals, existing structure, site conditions, and any zoning or mechanical factors that shape the project.
Design & Planning
Develop drawings, spatial layouts, and a selections roadmap aligned with budget and priorities.
Permitting
Manage Town of Huntington submission, SCDHS coordination, and any required ZBA applications.
Construction
Defined phases, weekly progress updates, and coordinated trade scheduling.
Completion
Review finish quality, confirm documentation and warranty materials, and close out the project.
Get Started with a Project Consultation
Planning a project in Melville? Book your consultation now to define what’s possible before you commit.
Phone
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday- Closed
About Home Additions in Melville