Second Floor Home Additions: Add Fairness and Visual Appeal

Homes are increasingly overcrowded. Children are moving back home and parents are moving with their children. So something has to give.

If you are contemplating expansion, you have options. You can add rooms and square footage to your home by finishing a basement, expanding the house horizontally with additional foundations, or going up. Let’s talk about adding a second story to your home. It’s wise? Will it add value and appeal?

Before deciding on your home addition strategy

Know your goal. Being clear about what you are looking for will guide your decisions. A good home building coach can be a valuable contact for you. This industry professional will provide invaluable assistance and point out potential issues such as:

• Structural integrity: Adding a second story puts more weight on the walls and foundation. This may require additional shoring of structural components at additional cost.
• Positioning and moving: Where will the second story be added? The location of the addition can affect your lifestyle during construction. Where will you live for a few weeks or months? How will you handle scrolling?
• Matching the neighborhood: To maximize the value of your home, you never want to over-build. The best scenario is to stay under the size and square footage of the largest homes in the neighborhood.
• Friendly or hostile: Who will live in the expansion? Who will move in? Before designing, it’s critical to decide if it’s for additional close family members, parents who want privacy, or even tenants who want their own input.

Best practices for adding the second story

This is a home improvement that definitely requires permits. Never attempt this without going through the right channels and using the right professionals. Yes, it can be a DIY project, but you will need help.

Here are my better practices suggestions:

• Use an architect or designer: This will give you the best opportunity to improve and increase the value of your homes and address structural problems.
• Combine materials and home styles: You can really make a statement with the addition of your second floor. Make sure your architect / designer knows what you are looking for.
• Update the rest of the house: Take the opportunity to replace old windows, add insulation, and increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Keep things in perspective

I am in favor of home renovations and additions. Despite the current housing market and economic climate, it is valuable to improve our homes. We may not benefit from immediate home value appreciation, but we can and must meet our needs for additional space and improved living.

Keep your perspective. Meet the needs you have today for future recovery values ​​and you’ll be fine.