First-floor additions to homes are increasingly popular. These additions do not require the removal of mature trees. They can increase yards by adding patios or porches where none existed before. Before adding a story to your home, you need to consider several things. These include the willingness of the local council to allow it, whether or not you can afford it, what impact addition will have on your current living conditions, and what are the implications of adding a second story.
These factors are discussed below.
Council Approval
Before committing yourself financially to adding a second story onto existing home, check with the local council if they’re okay with it. The council may have regulations about this construction work that requires planning permission before any work is done. For example, they would also know which bodies are important in compliance. Electricity approvals might be required from a power provider. You would not want to spend time and money on your construction project only for the council to turn around and say it cannot be done.
Affordability of the Project
If you consider adding a second story to expand your family, it is important to consider whether you can afford it financially. Adding onto your home will add weight and stress to the house’s structure. It might be more expensive than you think. You will need to consult with experts in this area, such as architects or engineers. They should have some idea about how much additional load a new floor would put on your existing structure.
However, unless they have previously designed similar projects, there is no guarantee that their estimate is accurate. One way to save money when adding a second story to your home is to consider building it yourself. If you are not familiar with the construction process, doing it yourself may seem like an impossible task. There are plenty of resources online that will guide you through each step of the restriction process.
Living Conditions
If you already have kids living in your existing house, your priority should be finding out if they will still have access to all the rooms and facilities they currently use. The addition might block access to their bathrooms, bedrooms, or even living room. Be sure that everyone who lives in your house will still get from one end to another without any problems before starting construction.
Homeowners cannot add a new story onto their house without a plan for what to do if the local council refuses planning permission. The second story might also affect heating and cooling in your home. Adding a layer of insulation over your home will cause it to lose heat from the top more easily.
Implications of the Addition
Building an additional story onto your existing home adds weight and stress to the building itself. For many homes, this may not be immediately apparent. This can lead to structural problems or even disaster down the line. It would be best to have a professional inspect your entire structure before starting any construction work. The professionals can assess any damages or flaws that need repairing. This step is important to avoid future expenses, such as paying for a brand-new roof because the last one could not bear the additional weight.
It is best to consider all of these factors before adding a floor to your home. If you are confident about constructing a new story for your existing house, go ahead and get started. Otherwise, you could risk wasting time, money, effort, and resources on work that is not feasible. Before getting started, be sure to consider all possible issues that may arise. Weigh up pros and cons. Also, take advice if necessary, and make an informed decision.
