More homeowners these days are investing in home additions and home renovations. Nationwide home improvement spending is now rising at nearly 6% annually, according to the Leading Index for Remodeling Activity. One of the biggest additions a homeowner can take on is adding a second story to a home.
Since this is such a large project, it’s normal for homeowners to have questions. Here are five common renovation questions people ask about second stories and advice on how to tackle them.
Question 1: How Can I Put a Second Story on My Home?
There are a number of ways you can add a second story on to your home. For instance, you could take the roof off your home and build a new level from the ground up. Or, you could choose to invest in a modular second story addition. A modular second story addition is built separately from your house and brought in when it’s complete. This is a popular choice among homeowners since it’s typically the most affordable and the quickest option.
Keep in mind that no two home additions are the same. What works for other second story projects may not work for your home, and that’s okay. Take time to evaluate what works best for you, your home, and your budget.
Question 2: How Much Does This Project Cost?
Just as with any other home renovation, adding a second story to your home is going to come at a cost. That cost will depend on a number of factors, including how big your second story is, what materials you use to build it with, and the number of rooms you’ll have in the second story. The best way to know how much this type of project will cost you is to contact professionals, such as those at Tabor Design Build, for an estimate.
Question 3: What Do I Need To Move?
If you’re building your second story up from the first story, then you’ll likely need to move quite a bit. You’ll need to move and rework the HVAC system, electric, and plumbing system to make your second story functional. If you have a chimney or fireplace, you’ll also likely need to extend it to your second story.
Home additions like this take time to complete properly, so keep that in mind as you’re making plans. You want to make sure this project is done right.
Question 4: Will It Impact the Overall Structure of My Home?
Yes. Home additions like this will definitely change the overall structure of your home. It’ll add weight to your home, so you must make sure your home’s base structure and foundation can sustain the additional weight. Since this project does add to the height of your home, it’s also wise to check if it meets zoning requirements.
Question 5: How Can I Find Professionals To Do This Project?
Since this is a large project that significantly impacts the structure of your home, it’s crucial to find the right professionals to work on it. You can look up professionals who specialize in doing second story additions and have raving customer testimonials. You can also ask if they have pictures of the second story additions they’ve done in the past. The more proof you have they can do the job properly, the better. At Tabor Design Build, our professionals have the knowledge, reviews, and photographic evidence that they can do a high-quality job on your second story project. Contact Tabor Design Build today to learn more.
Adding a second story is one of the largest home additions you can take on. However, it can also add the most value to your home. It can double your home’s space and give you more room to create a home you love. The key is to know what will happen during the renovation process, how it impacts your home, and how to find the right person to do the job. Once you get these questions squared away, you’ll be in good shape.
