Important Questions You Should Ask Before You Begin Your Second Story Addition
Before considering a second story addition, ask these questions.
Sometimes you just don’t have the room to build an addition out from your home. Whether your home is too close to the property line or you don’t want to use up precious space in your yard, a second story addition can be the ideal alternative. Before you start making your addition plans, ask a contractor these questions to determine whether this is the best choice to expand the usable space in your home.
How Much Does It Cost?
One of the most important questions is how much this type of project will cost. A second story addition will lead to different costs than adding an expansion onto the first floor of your home. For instance, to build the addition, more demolition is required, such as the roof, and the systems in your home, including plumbing and electricity, need to be revised. Talking to your contractor will help you understand the costs so you can evaluate whether it is worth it to move forward.
Is It Possible?
As you create addition plans, you will realize not all homes are built with the structure to hold the weight of an entire second floor. Your contractor will be able to check the integrity of your home and determine the viability of this type of project. Sometimes adjustments can be made to allow for this type of addition. If it isn’t possible, your contractor can help you decide whether there are any better options.
Are you ready for a second story addition?
Is a Full Addition Required?
You may not envision your home with a full second story addition. A remodeling contractor can create addition plans that only provide a partial addition to give you the space you need without adding a full floor to your home. Perhaps you only need an extra room or two. Your contractor can help you decide what type of addition you need to provide the amount of space you require.
Does the Contractor Have Experience?
Adding a second story can be a difficult process that requires specific skills and expertise. You don’t want to leave these addition plans in the hands of an inexperienced contractor. With the wrong technique, you could be putting your entire home at risk. A poor second story addition can cause undue stress on your foundation and could ultimately destroy your existing home, costing you more money in repairs.
When you want to expand your home, you basically have two choices: expand out or expand up. Addition plans can be complex, especially if you choose a second story addition over expanding outward from your existing home. This makes choosing the right contractor to ensure the job is done correctly without putting your entire home at risk.
If you are interested in discussing addition plans with a Massachusetts contractor, contact us. We can help you design and build your second story for a beautiful home.