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Planning a major home remodel and need advice

D

djheater

Lifer
I'll be buying my Mother-in-law's house in August. She's giving us an incredibly good deal which will amount to almost instant equity, it's a 2 bedroom in a perfect location but we'd like to upgrade the bathrooms and put on a second floor.

I'd do a good bit of work myself with my brother-in-law whose father owns a construction bus. in Scotland, but though I'm handy I doubt I could do a whole floor 😉

Where should I start? Anybody done anything like this before? I'd really like some good books and site reccomendations.

TIA
 
First thing that comes to mind is how the foundation is constructed. Many times an existing foundation cannot handle the load of a second story. I would definatley consult an engineer or architect before beginning. Some first floor walls may have to be reconstructed to handle the extra weight. Is there a basement, slab, or just a crawl space? What kinda of footings are there. Sometimes depending on the part of the country you are in, footings are not required too.
 
I read an article in a remodeling magazine, i don't remember which, which pointed out that a second floor weighs an aweful lot.

You will be spending a lot of money. Make sure you do it right. Hire an architech! At least interview with a few.

btw, our neighbor just added on to their house... about 600 ft^2, new windows, remodelling, etc... at about the tune of $75,000. be prepared to budget some of that equity.
 

As was said already, you need to find out about your foundation. Also, are you planning on running the new roofline in the same direction as the old one? If not, you could have issues with the size of the headers over your windows & doors on the existing structure. I think this is primarily a concern in areas with high snow loads, so I don't know if it applies to you. Talk to an engineer.

You need to give some thought to how you are going to get utilities up there, particularly heat. Plan on replacing your existing heating system most likely.

Remember that stairs are going to take a big chunk out of both your first & second floor.

And now some general advice from a guy that's up to his eyeballs in this sort of project right now...

- If you plan this to be a mostly DIY project, understand that it will own you for at least the next year. It will own your wallet for longer.

- Between the time, money, disagreements, etc., this project will likely be the toughest test you & your wife have encountered to date.

- Strongly consider a ground-level single storey addition in preference to a 2nd storey project. It will make all the difference when you are often working alone or with inexperienced help. It also has the advantage of leaving your existing house more habitable then adding on above it while your living in it.

- Generate a reasonable estimate for both time & money. Double it.
 
Originally posted by: yamahaXS
I read an article in a remodeling magazine, i don't remember which, which pointed out that a second floor weighs an aweful lot.

You will be spending a lot of money. Make sure you do it right. Hire an architech! At least interview with a few.

btw, our neighbor just added on to their house... about 600 ft^2, new windows, remodelling, etc... at about the tune of $75,000. be prepared to budget some of that equity.
Click to expand...

You had to read a magazine article to figure out a second floor weighs a lot? 😉
 
Originally posted by: djheater
I'll be buying my Mother-in-law's house in August. She's giving us an incredibly good deal which will amount to almost instant equity, it's a 2 bedroom in a perfect location but we'd like to upgrade the bathrooms and put on a second floor.

I'd do a good bit of work myself with my brother-in-law whose father owns a construction bus. in Scotland, but though I'm handy I doubt I could do a whole floor 😉

Where should I start? Anybody done anything like this before? I'd really like some good books and site reccomendations.

TIA
Click to expand...
Here' a real life exapmle.
My friend is doing the same thing , more or less, to his house.... Added second floor (raised house, actually) and it's been almost a year in construction, WITH A PROFESSIONAL.
Unless you are willing to spend all day every day building, I suggest hiring a crew to help you, full time , to completion.
There are more dissolutions of marriage within a year of a remodel than any other "family" disruption.... I don't know where I heard that , but it sounds true.
Good Luck....

 
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