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Adding a Second Story? Here’s What You Need to Know

Adding a second story isn’t as simple as adding an addition on the ground level of your current home. If you need the extra space a second story can provide, we can tell you everything you need to know as a homeowner.

First, you need to know whether adding a second story is a structural feasibility. You also need to know if any building height restrictions in your area would prevent you from adding a second or third story. Building up can be more expensive than building out, so keep that in mind if you have a tighter budget. Add value to your home and make it more functional for your family and daily life by adding a well-designed extra story.

To learn more about adding a second story to your home, call the architectural designers of Phase One today at (803) 404-7168.

What Do You Need to Know About Adding a Second Story to Your Home?

Before adding a second story to your house, you need to know whether it’s structurally possible, permissible based on local zoning rules, and the projected cost and the projected timeline.

Structural Feasibility

First, you need to know the structural feasibility of adding a second story to your home. The existing foundation and framing may not be strong enough to support an additional story without adding reinforcements. We can discuss all of this during the on-site “Construction Consult” we offer homeowners who come to us for additions, renovations, and custom home design.

Zoning and Permitting

You also need to know how local zoning and permitting rules affect your project. Some areas have height restrictions on homes that stop homeowners from adding second or third stories. In those situations, a ground-level addition may give you the extra space your family needs.

Permits are mandatory for any structural, electrical, HVAC, or plumbing changes, which are almost always required when adding a second story to a house.

Projected Cost

Before you add a second story to your house, you should know the approximate cost of the project. Second stories that require structural reinforcements might cost more than those that do not. What rooms and features you include on a newly added second story of a home also affect the cost. For example, bathrooms require plumbing lines and more work than only bedrooms or multi-use spaces.

Let us know what a comfortable budget for you is, and we can use that as a guide during our design process for the addition.

Projected Timeline

Some second-story additions take weeks to complete once designed, while others take months. Depending on how extensive the addition is and what the extra space includes, we can estimate how long experienced contractors should take to complete it. Construction is out of our hands and your contractor’s responsibility, but we can do our part to contribute to a fast completion date by providing clear-cut plans from the get-go.

Just planning a second-story addition with Phase One can take a couple of months in and of itself. We start with a Construction Consult, followed by thorough discussions about your vision for the second-story addition. Initial plans are then drawn up and edited until they match exactly what you envisioned in your head. Take your time with all design decisions, and don’t rush the planning stage just to begin construction sooner.

FAQs About Adding a Second Story to Your Home

Can You Add a Second Story if There Are Height Restrictions in Your Area?

If there are height restrictions in your area, you may still be able to add a second story by obtaining a zoning variance. If the variance gets denied, you can’t add a second story, but you could possibly add an addition on the ground floor.

When is Adding a Second Story to Your Home Worth It?

Adding a second story to your home is worth it if you need more bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate your family, but want to stay in your current home.

Do You Need Special Permits to Add a Second Story to Your House?

Homeowners need building permits to add second stories to their homes. They may also need specific permits for work on any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas systems.

Do You Need to Reconfigure Your First Floor When Adding a Second Story?

Because of the extra space from a second story, you might be able to reconfigure the first-floor layout to be more open-concept and flow better. We also design full home renovations and can help you remodel the first floor to account for the new space you have.

Can You Add Value to Your Home by Adding a Second Story?

Adding a second story to your house can substantially increase your property’s value. For a more accurate assessment of added value and return on investment, talk to a local real estate agent.

Do You Have to Upgrade Utilities if You Add a Second Story?

You may need to upgrade utility systems if you add a second story so they can support all that extra space. This goes for electrical panels, HVAC systems, and plumbing lines.

How Can You Avoid Overspending on Adding a Second Story to Your Home?

To avoid overspending when adding a second story to your house, make intentional design decisions, leave room in the budget for potential setbacks, and select affordable materials.

How Long Does Adding a Second Story to Your House Take?

From the beginning of the design process to the final day of construction, adding a second story to your house may take many months. Communication and dedication from Phase One help the design process run more smoothly, and our thorough blueprints make construction easier for contractors.