Second Story Addition Guide – Do it Right
For most people, a house is a once-in-a-lifetime investment. You always start small. Do you still remember the feeling you had when you walked into your house with your partner? Oh, how wonderful and spacious the house felt for the two of you. But, as life moves on, we grow, and our family grows. All of a sudden, the house which seemed spacious for 2 can feel overcrowded. Or you might want to give a new look to the house completely by renovating it.
In either case, the best and most cost-effective option to choose is to go for a second story. House additions have always been there and adding a floor will give you the extra space you need. Not only will you get more space, but the value of your house will also increase (a win-win situation, right?
The thing is, adding a second story is always tricky. There are multiple things you need to keep in mind before you hire contractors to start the work. In this guide, we will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know before you make this decision.
Guide to Adding a Second Story to Your House
Is An Addition Possible For Your Home?
The truth is that not all houses are built keeping an extension in mind. The first thing you need to do is have engineers check your house. They will determine whether your house can take the load of the second story or not. They will check the structural work, and ground support and see if the ground floor can take another floor on top or not.
Another thing to check is whether it is legally allowed to build a second story in your area. There are certain restrictions when it comes to the height of the house and you need to confirm them.
Estimate Expenses
Renovating the house is one thing, adding in another floor is an entirely different thing. It is cost-effective as compared to moving out or buying a new house but that does not mean it is cheap. Most people underestimate the costs associated with adding a new story and that causes problems in budgeting. This results in cost-cutting in materials which can be dangerous.
Go for Insurance
We always recommend going for insurance. This is an important step that most people don’t even know about. So, be sure to get insurance.
Arrange for Alternate Accommodation
Even if you are adding a simple story without any fancy rooms or complicated structures, it can take a good 15-20 weeks to complete the construction. You can stay in the house, no issues with that. But prepare for un-comfortability. Apart from the constant noise, major utilities will be cut off from time to time as wiring and piping are being extended upwards.
The best way is to arrange for alternative accommodation somewhere nearby. This way, you can come over and visit and oversee the construction process.
Remodeling Options
There are four ways in which you can add a second floor. These are as follows:
- You can remove the entire roof. Then add a new roof by starting from scratch. This will be the most costly of all the options.
- Another method is to take the entire roof off and do the renovations. This includes adding walls and flooring. After this, you can re-install the old roof back in the framework.
- Instead of constructing on top of your story, you can also get the pre-fabs made off-site. This is easy and cost-effective. There are standard ones available in the market that homeowners can utilize.
Make Sure The Addition Matches The Rest Of The Home
Make sure the size and make of the windows, doors, and frames all match the existing ones on the first floor. Remember, the first and second stories should complement each other and not look like they have been made at different times.
Undoubtedly, going for a second story addition is an excellent option to gain more space and save money. Done wisely, it can benefit you. Our guide will help you and tell you all about secondary story additions.