How Much Does a Second Story Addition Cost?
Last Updated: January 13, 2022
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Adding a second story to a one-story house is no small job. Depending on the size of your house the cost to build could be as little as $80,000 to as much as $3-400,000 and beyond. It is, however, a great way to add value to your home, and most times it will be cheaper than buying a house with a second floor. This is also a great time to remodel your existing house as your new stairway must be planned out and it could give you some ideas as to a new layout.
Second Story Addition Costs #
The cost to build a whole new floor of home space is never cheap. Talk to local contractors who have done this sort of project before. Be prepared to spend at least $150 per square foot and as much as $300 per square foot of new space. There are always problems encountered when undertaking a project this big so you should assume that the total cost of the job may increase as much as 20% by the time it's done. Unforeseen problems could include a foundation or exterior walls that cannot support the extra weight. There may be some issues in tying in your new plumbing to your existing, or you may have to install a new power panel to support the added strain. The best way to avoid these extra costs is to have a detailed building plan and a thorough inspection of all possible issues and solutions to them.
Helpful Tips on Remodeling a Home #
The first step you should always take before any remodeling job is to make sure that you are zoned properly for your project. Most cities and towns have restrictions on how tall a building can be, how close to a public road a building can be, etc.
Attention to detail is a key aspect of any remodeling project. This is never truer than in the case of the house plan. A great set of architectural drawings could save you thousands of dollars on the cost of an addition.
An open line of communication with your contractor is a must. There should be no misunderstanding of the bid and the scope of work involved. If you have any questions or concerns, the earlier you resolve them the better.
As always, do your homework when selecting a contractor. Make sure he has solid, recent references and pictures of his work. Never settle for the first contractor you talk to just because you like his price. More often than not, the cheapest price is cheap for a reason. The contractor might not have given the job a thorough inspection, or he might not fully understand the scope of your project. The more quotes you get, the more likely your job will be done at the highest quality for the lowest possible price.