Beracha on an Extension

Question: I recited a beracha of hatov vehametiv when we bought our home a few years ago and we are now extending it. Should we say another beracha?

Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 54a) teaches that one recites the beracha of shehecheyanu upon building a new house. The Gemara (Berachos 59b) teaches that when one owns it with a partner, one recites hatov vehametiv instead. The Chayei Adam (1:62:2) argues that a married man would recite shehecheyanu as he is obligated to provide his wife and family with a home. Nonetheless, the Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 232:3) disagrees as they have the option to rent a house rather than buy one. Thus, one would recite hatov vehametiv on a family home.

Many Sephardim follow the Ben Ish Chai (Re’eh 1:7) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 232:17) who write that common practice is not to say a beracha just on a new house. Rather one should wear a new garment or eat a special fruit, and have the house in mind when saying shehecheyanu (see Ohr Letzion 2:14:47).

The Mishna (Sotah 53a) qualifies which people are exempt from fighting in battle including one who has just built themself a new house. The Gemara (Sotah 44a) teaches that this includes one who added an extra row of bricks to the existing structure. Following this, the Mishna Berura (223:12; Shaar Hatziyun 232:14) writes that if one added an extra row of bricks to their house they would recite shehecheyanu (or hatov vehametiv).

Likewise, R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 23:14) and R’ Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv (Dirshu Mishna Berura 223:n24) maintained that one would recite a beracha upon building an extension to their house (see Avnei Yashpe 5:41:10; Piskei Teshuvos 223:4).

In conclusion, one recites a beracha upon extending their house.