Comments0 by in House Extensions
August 11, 2014
The Pros and Cons to Adding a Second Floor to Your Home

There are times when home owners find that their large house is not so large any more. Maybe the children have grown and need their own rooms, maybe you have always dreamed of working from home and therefore a home office is on the cards or maybe you just feel like having some more living space in your home. The fact is that needs change over time and a home that you felt served your family perfectly a decade ago, might not seem that way in the current–day…

Of course, you have the option of selling your existing home and moving into a larger and more comfortable one. But let’s face it… that is not always possible from a feasibility perspective and maybe from a monetary one as well. This is when you realize that doing a home extension and adding a second floor to the existing structure might be the best option for you and your family.

Deciding what is right for you and your family:

This is when you start scouring home improvement websites, local builders and stores and riffle through interior design magazines for ideas about how best to add a second floor to your home. But before you hire those contractors and start on the project, take a look at the different aspects that you should be taking into consideration.

Here are some of the pros and cons to building up…

The Pros:

Added Living Space:

If you do not have sufficient space for your family, regardless of whether it is because you have had children or you are bringing an elderly relative to live in your home, this is one of the best ways to get that extra space you so badly need. Having a full additional floor could potentially double your current living space.

Value-Add:

The minute you up the square footage of your home, you automatically up the market value of your home. Of course, you are upgrading and do not plan on selling it now. But if you do so in the future, it is still a good ROI. Apart from this, if you do not need all that space, you can rent out a couple of rooms, which will bring in passive income.

Comfort Zone:

If you have lived in a particular home for a number of years, it is very natural for you to become attached to it. If you and your family are not too conducive to relocating to a bigger place, getting that second floor is a great solution.

The Cons:

Building Codes & Permits:

Local municipalities frequently makes changes to building codes. If you plan on adding a second floor to your home, you might just find yourself having to face a number of restrictions. It’s not just a floor addition; you also have to expand the plumbing hardware and electrical installation and will have to obtain all the proper permits. Failing to do so, can attract massive fines or you might have to undo any work you have already carried out.

Foundation:

The foundation of a house is designed to support a specific design and a certain number of storeys. You will have to get a structural analysis performed to ascertain if the existing foundation is strong enough to support another floor. This is important from a safety and stability perspective.

Cost:

It is important to keep the cost factor in view at all times. Building expenses tend to go out of hand and you will have to chalk-out your budget before you dive headlong into the project.

To extended or not to extend..?

As you can see, there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to adding a second floor to your home. And while we have really only touched on a few key points, you will now have a broader view and know what they are; you can deliberate and make a more informed decision.

Are you in Sydney?

If your home is located in Sydney, Penrith or anywhere in between get in touch with us to discuss your patricular second floor addition in more detail. We pride ourselves on being the Home Extension Specialists and would love the opurutinty to help you and your family stay in your home by creating more space.

Have a great week and thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Shane Caldwell
0414 446 572

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