how much does it cost to add another floor to a house?

Question

such as another story to make it a 2 story house

Answer 1

it all depend on footage and what you are will to pay. It at least four to five quotas before you make up your mind.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Depends on size, but I looked into this myself a few years ago for a small house (4 rooms!) and the estimate was $100,000. It's probably higher now. Remember, you're not just adding a second floor but also a completely new roof and attic, which is a lot more lumber than just 4 new walls. Windows are very expensive. You will probably add another bathroom, so that's new plumbing and fixtures. You have new wiring and probably an upgraded fuse box in the basement. And then you have to bring heat and a/c ducts up there, which may require a bigger furnace and a/c compressor, or a second one of each (to be installed in the attic, so you can have 2 zones). Don't forget to plan for the stairway, which is at least 13 steps, 8" high by 8" deep each one.

Answer 4

That all depends on square footage to be added, the extent of the demolition to the existing structures, whether or not your house is structurally sound enough to add a second story---building codes may prevent you from adding to the top--and what the going rate per-square-foot contractors are charging in your area. There is a huge difference from building costs, say, in the midwest, versus those on the east coast or the west coast.

Other cost considerations BESIDES the actual construction costs:

1. Insurance - liability and increasing homeowner's insurance
2. Hotel or motel suite for at least 3 months for your family. If a contractor tells you one month, plan on 3. If he says, "2 more weeks," plan on at least 4 to 6 more weeks.
3. Raising the existing house and reinforcing the footings or filling in a basement if the original walls are not coded to hold another floor.
4. Whatever the contractor estimates for the job, you can be sure the actual costs will be at least $10,000 more than the original estimate.

I think I would find a 2-story house already built.

Answer 5

Depending on the amount of attic space that you have.
You may be able to renovate the attic, provided that you can add a stair case up to the attic, and that you have enough height to be able to stand up in the attic.

If you cant then you must take the roof off. You should be able to save and reuse the truses.
Once the truses are removed you can then build the second floor. You need to make sure that you identify areas of the 1st floor that are capable of transferring the weight of the 2nd floor onto the 1st floor and then down to the foundation.
Once the 2nd floor is installed you can then reinstall the truses to recreate your attic space. Reinstall your HVAC system.
Install your plywood onto the truses and then install your roofing shingles or tile.

As you can see their are alot of factors to consider and your question is not easy to answer.
I can tell you that by adding more living space to your house you are adding more square footage which increases the value of the home.

I would advise you to do some checks first.
1. Determine how much square footage you have now. Do not include garage space. That doesnt count.
2. Determine how much square footage you will have after the remodel is completed.
3. Check your local area real estate values to determine what the house is worth now based on your current sq footage.
4. Check your local area real estate values to determine what the house is worth after the additional space is added.
5. Make sure that the cost to do the additonal space is not going to exceed the amount of money that your home will grow in value.

Example.
If you live in a 1500 sq foot home that is worth 300K, and you want to add an additional 1000 sq ft.
Let say that 2500 sq ft homes sell for 450K in your area.
That means that you should not consider spending more than 150K to make the improvement.
The price of your property will continue to rise but the cost to repay it and the interest rate you are being charged will be more because there may be very little equity in the home during the beginning of the loan.


Good luck.

Answer 6

In most cases you can't add a second story without improving the foundation. The original foundation needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the second story. It may be worth looking into. A licensed contractor can tell you exactly the price per square foot. Remember, they are tearing down the roof to add a floor, so it's more work. You can ask a county building inspector for the foundation specifications and the contractor will tell you where you are with that.
Architects also know the construction rules and could help you lay out a design plan.
Remember, new building codes are required and anything not in order now may also need to be upgraded, things you might not expect.

Answer 7

I should know I just saw my son's house done, it costs about anywhere from 20,ooo. to 55,000.- accordingly and to the configurations of the new roof as the house total will be reconfigured and the roof replaced new! and the rooms on the new second floor, flooring , plumbing, and fixtures will be replaced and added too! as well as what you want the second floor to be like, such as an added terrace outside new master bedroom, regonfigure everything, including access to new second floor, inside and or outside and fire exits!! safety. if children involved and quality of construction!!! always remember you usually get what you pay for and this is an good investing upgrading and can add at least 60,000 and higher to your property and house value in the long run, so have it done by a reputable well known construction co., ask around and people usually know whose good and whose not, and there are very good ones out there for a bargain, but don't expect to pay below a 25,000 + for this !

Answer 8

First of all, you need a permit to do so. Even though you are the owner---even if the house is paid for and the land is yours---you have to get a permit. Is there a home owners association where you live? You need to get their permission first thing, then you have to get a building permit, because adding another story to a one story house will increase the value of your house.

Next, you have to shop around. Don't just take any contractor---shop around with them, check their reputation, check with the better business buereau if there are a lot of complaints.

Then get you estimates, plenty of estimates because it will be expensive---anywhere from 20.000 dollars and up, depending on the square feet. Because you have to consider that you will also need an electrician to add the electricity, if you want a bathroom in the upstairs, then you will also need plumbing done. In addition to that, you can't just put on your old roof---so you will also need a roofer to put on a new roof!!!!!! You might be able and willing to do all that hard work and only deal with the expenses of the material, but some work--like electricity has to be done by certified professionals---and once you got all that work finished you will have to pass an inspection --- the building code rules have to be abided by and an inspector will look for any violations---and you have to pay all this out of your pocket.

In addition to that, your property taxes will rise since the value of your house went up. To be honest, I would not consider doing this, I would rather sell my one story house and buy me a 2 story house....Good luck

Answer 9

The biggest favor you could possible do for yourself is to get several estimates from different carpenters and builders. While you are checking on estimates ask each one how long they have been doing this? Also ask for any references they may have so you could contact the other people on their work. Between all of these, pick which one would do you the best service and not try to cheat you out of a lot of money. There are scammers everywhere and unfortunately they can be found in almost every buisness. Be a wise consumer and ask questions. If you see that a certain one or ones aren't being honest or don't want to answer your question, then that is a sign to you that they aren't to be trusted. Good luck to you and I hope your remodeling is a success!

Answer 10

Depending on where U live, here in Michigan, it will cost U around $50 pr sq ft to build the rough in, plus elec, plumbing, interior walls, floor covering, and exterior finish. If you choose to have a bathroom...must factor in the lav's for that too. Building permits, plumbers, electricians or any other professionals such as painting and drywall. Hope this gives U a better idea

Answer 11

I think in 4 aspects , 1.- how luxury do you want if you want marble, hard wood floors ,skylights,etc. the price can be very high if you choose simple and minimalist things the cost can be drooped...
2.- How much space do you need If you don't need a lot of space you can fix a loft and when you have the aptitude of build things"do it yourself" you can save huge amount of money
3.- what kind of materials do you want if you use in place of big wall something simply the cost go down too of course you can select in a wide variety of materials and those going from cheap to expensive
4.- in what place do you live this part can be interesting is not the same thing Texas than New York in order to fit your wish Texas is cheap NY is expensive so contractors can be the difference in those states if you live in other country prices can be drooped to the minimal expression my advice is if you have space in the lot make an addition at same level and if you want a second floor for sample a master bedroom with an spiral stairs (you can buy precast in this way ) with an attached T.V. room you can make something good in cheap price and avoid big structures on the second floor this increase your cost in around a 30 %.