If you are a homeowner seeking to expand your living space, here’s a suggestion for you! Build yourself an extra floor on top of your one-story home!
Many homeowners are discovering the benefits of adding a second story, and it’s easy to see why. By adding another floor on top of their existing homes, they can increase their square footage without sacrificing any outdoor space or disrupting their current lifestyle.
Adding a second story isn’t just about gaining more room; it can also significantly increase the property’s value. Not only will you gain a much-needed living area for yourself and your growing families, but you could also create extra equity when selling down the road.
So let’s dive into how an addition to a second-story works and why it could be right for you!
6 Benefits of Adding a Second Story
Just think how quickly expanding your one-story home with another story will expand it and add additional living space, not to mention adding value! Just consider all the possibilities! Adding another level can significantly expand living space as well as add extra square footage.
We are going to explore the six advantages of this particular type of home renovation. You’ll see how it can transform not only the look but also the functionality of your beloved abode!
1. Increased Living Space
One of the greatest benefits of getting another floor up there is having more living space. By constructing an additional level, you can easily double or triple your current square footage and create more room for you and your family.
For instance, if you currently have limited outdoor space, building up instead of out allows you to keep a yard area while still expanding indoor living areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and even game rooms!
According to HomeAdvisor’s research in 2020, homeowners who added a second floor gained an average square footage increase of around 800 sq ft per floor addition (to one-story houses)!
2. Enhanced Property Value
Adding a second floor can enhance the value of your home significantly. According to Remodeling Magazine, such an addition offers a return on investment of around 69%, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value.
By adding more square footage and living space, you create greater comfort and convenience for both you and any future buyer, who will ultimately reap the financial benefits.
So not only do you get the extra space now, but when it comes time to sell your house or property down the road, you’ll make more than what was invested in building that additional floor!
3. Retention of Outdoor Space
One of the biggest concerns homeowners have when considering a home addition is losing the outdoor space of their current home. However, by adding a second story over your first floor, you can keep your existing outdoor area while still gaining valuable interior square footage.
Additionally, building up instead of out means that you won’t be taking away any potential yard or garden space. So if you’re ready to increase both your living space and value-addition while keeping the convenience and beauty that come with having an outdoor area around your home unchanged, consider retaining the outdoors by planning for second story addition services!
4. Energy Efficiency
Building a second story to your home can improve overall energy efficiency by allowing for better ventilation and insulation, reducing the workload on heating and cooling systems. This upgraded insulation helps retain more heat in the winter months while also helping to keep things cooler during the summer months.
As an upgrade that provides savings all year round, “the cost-effectiveness of building up instead of expanding areas horizontally is considerable,” according to author Paul Bianchina’s research concluding upward additions have significant potential for ROI.
So if you are considering a second-story addition, take advantage of these long-term energy savings before venturing into any other option!
5. Opportunity for Home Redesign
In addition to adding square footage and value to your home, a second-story addition can also serve as an opportunity to redesign your entire house’s layout. Completely restructuring the floor plan allows you to create a custom solution that better suits your lifestyle needs while enhancing functionality across the board.
Imagine if you were considering creating two dedicated floors! One specifically devoted to housing bedrooms and another living area like game rooms or entertainment spaces; not only will you achieve structural efficiency, but also costs will be optimized up to some extent!
6. Avoidance of the Housing Market Challenges
A second-story addition to your existing home is also an excellent way to avoid some of the challenges that come with buying in today’s housing market. Rather than having to navigate bidding wars, find a reputable real estate agent for sale by owner or consider adding onto an already-loved house instead.
By investing in constructing a second-story addition, not only will you bypass dealing with any possible competition – but you’ll even save on taxes and expenditures linked with moving altogether!
Considerations Before Adding a Second Story
Expanding your home to include an extra floor can be a great idea, as it provides you with more living space without sacrificing outdoor areas. However, before you dive into constructing that second story, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Foundation Stability
One of the most crucial factors when adding another level to your house is ensuring foundation stability. This means assessing whether or not your current home’s foundation is stable enough and can bear additional weight from a new top floor.
Consult with structural engineers and contractors first before making any decisions – they may advise that reinforcing or even replacing current foundations could be necessary.
Local Building Codes and Regulations
Another important factor one must consider before starting construction is checking local building codes and regulations for requirements. They include ceiling heights, staircase design, fire safety measures, etc.; all need attention to ensure compliance while still remaining efficient on costs.
Finding a Reliable Contractor
When planning any “addition” project at all levels, large or small, it’s essential to find the right contractors. These professionals must have in-depth knowledge regarding this type of expansion work, along with positive reviews – that’ll increase your confidence in the whole project!
Overall though, adding an extra story holds many benefits, including better views and adequate air circulation, but don’t overlook critical points like these if you plan to attempt such a task!
Second-Story Addition: A Cost Analysis
Adding a second floor to your home definitely comes with a price tag. However, it can also significantly increase the value of your property and provide you with more living space without having to relocate or build an entirely new house.
The cost of adding a second floor varies depending on several factors, such as the size of your house, the type of construction materials used, and whether any foundation work needs to be done. According to HomeAdvisor.com’s 2020 report in Wayzata, MN, USA, homeowners spend anywhere from $80-$300 per square foot constructing a second-story addition.
So you must take into account the entire cost before deciding whether or not it’s worth it financially. Keep in mind that when selling your home later on, constructing this additional space will yield good returns (around 60% ROI).
Design Tips for Second-Floor Additions
When it comes to adding a second story to your home, designing the new space can be just as important as deciding to build it in the first place. Here are some tips and considerations for designing your second-floor addition:
- Keep the same architectural style: Your new space should still fit in with the overall design of your home. This ensures that you maintain consistency and avoid having an awkward-looking addition.
- Match existing materials: Choose materials that match those found on the ground floor of your house, whether it’s siding or roofing material.
- Think about flow: The layout of each room should naturally lead into one another without any interruptions or dead-end spaces.
- Consider natural light sources: You want every room throughout both levels of the living space to have access to natural lighting which can enhance mood and promote good health.
With these design tips in mind, you’ll create a great functional living environment that works well with additional areas such as outdoor patios and dog-friendly backyards, thus adding significant value when selling or renting.
Final Words….
Remember! Designing a successful project is not all about trends; instead, create what complements our preferences while reassuring harmony between both floors, making our beautiful homes even more enjoyable!
Keep in your mind what you’re going to get with this amazing feature-
- A larger living area without sacrificing outdoor space
- Increased square footage means higher resale value
- Room for growing families or game rooms
By choosing Black Dog Homes as your general contracting firm, you’ll have professional expertise backing up your new home construction or remodeling ambitions.
As a premier home remodeling firm in Minnesota, we can make your dream home addition a reality with expert craftsmanship that adds both value and extra space while remaining convenient and comfortable for you and your family. Trust us with the task!
Don’t let the initial cost deter you from considering this option; it can pay off in increased property value and provide the convenience of living that suits your lifestyle. Contact Black Dog Homes today to get started on constructing a beautiful new floor plan that fits all of your needs!