If you’re about to become a first-time homeowner, single-story homes are a good place to start. However, if your family is expanding, space can be a big problem, and often, most homeowners think that the best solution would be to pack up, buy a new home and move away. There is another solution that will allow you to stay put, and that’s by building a second story addition to your home.
But of course, like every remodeling project, a second-story addition is not for the faint of heart. It’s only natural to have a few questions and concerns before you jump in and do the project. To help you get started, below, we answer four of the most common questions homeowners ask about second-story additions.
1. Why Does a Second Story Work Cost More Than Adding a New Space at Ground Level?
Building a second story in your home can cost more compared to adding a new living space at the ground level of your property. Often, some homeowners are baffled by the disparity in costs, but remodeling pros say that there’s actually a good reason for this: It will involve a lot more demolition and construction in creating the space.
For starters, if you want to build a second story, the roof will have to be removed, the plumbing and A/C gear in your attic and walls will have to be reworked and rearranged, and your contractor will also have to build a staircase to give you access to the second floor. This can change the ground floor space by a significant amount.
All of this can cause your project costs to pile up, and as such, it’s best that you prepare yourself financially if you want to build a second story for your home.
2. How Much Does a Project Like This Really Cost?
The project costs of a second-story construction can vary as not every home is the same. With that in mind, there are some typical ranges.
For example, if you live in a 2,000 square-foot-home, a full second-story addition doubling that space can range anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000.
For a partial addition in the 500 to the 700-square-foot range, on the other hand, you can expect the project to cost around $100,000 to $175,000, especially if you intend to add a new bathroom.
If you want to create a second story in your 20' x 22' garage, meanwhile, expect to spend anywhere between $100,000 to $150,000.
All of these costs are directly reflective of material and fixture selections as well as any unusual circumstances.
3. Can I Live in My Home While the Project is Underway?
Some homeowners are sometimes reluctant to have a second-story construction project done for their homes, even if they have the means to do so. This is because not only are they worried that the project can be incredibly disruptive with the noise and mess it generates, but some are also hesitant to entertain the possibility of having to leave their homes during the project.
However, if you’re merely getting a partial second-story project done or if you’re constructing a two-story garage, you don’t have to worry about having to leave your home. Contractors typically say you’re more than welcome to stay.
This is because in these cases, the project area is often isolated, which can leave a working kitchen, bathroom and some bedroom living space relatively untouched and free for use even as the project is underway.
That said, if you intend to hire remodeling pros to construct a second story for your home, or you find it too disruptive to stay in the house while the construction runs its course, it may be best that you make some arrangements to stay elsewhere in the meantime. Don’t forget to factor this in when you’re making your budget!
4. Should I Hire a Remodeler? If So, How Should I Go About It?
Of course, since a second-story construction project is such a complicated home improvement task to undertake, it’s never recommended that you attempt to DIY the job. With that in mind, you shouldn’t hesitate to turn to the best remodelers of your area to help you create a second story for your home.
When you’re trying to find the best remodeler, experts in the home improvement industry recommend that you scour the internet for the best choices, and then go onto rating websites, such as Angie’s List® or the Better Business Bureau to see their reviews and if they have any history of unresolved complaints from previous clients.
From there, you can narrow down your choices and give each contractor a call to interview them about their experience and get an estimate from each. That way, you can make an informed decision on who you should hire to construct a second story for your property.
Planning to remodel your home? Simply turn to the pros of Peartree Homes. With years of experience in the remodeling industry, we provide homeowners with nothing but quality workmanship, the best products, and spectacular customer service.
Whatever home improvement project you need to be done, you can turn to us, and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (843) 343-5808, or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us.