So you’ve determined that it is better for you to remodel your home vs. move. Maybe you have an elder loved one moving in, a son or daughter moving back in or you just want to upgrade your master bedroom or add a hobby/rumpus room. Whatever the case, there are a few things to consider before you make any decision.
1) Make sure you have the space: Map out in your head, or on paper, roughly the area that you’d like to expand on. You’ll surely go into much more detail later with the help of an architect, but you can at least make sure that the project is feasible.
2) Get approval from local authorities: In most places, a permit is required to add a second story to your home. You’ll have to submit a design plan, so you might want to swap step 2 and 3 if you don’t have a detailed plan in place.
3) Find a general contractor: A very important step. Consider general contractors with architects and plenty of references. They will be able to tell you right away if the project is doable, and then help you get the permit if you haven’t already done so.
4) Structural considerations: Your general contractor will need to assess the foundation of the house to verify if it can hold a second story.
5) Creating a detailed design: This is where an architect is essential. They will need to consider everything from the stairway to the plumbing, electrical wiring, and heater/AC duct placement.
6) Choose the materials you’d like to use: This is where you determine all the costs for everything, including new slab, flooring, roofing, plumbing, and everything else.
7) Pick a date and get started: You’ll want to pick a time frame where there’s little to no chance of rain because the roof will be the first thing removed from the home. You may want to consider relocating during construction, depending on the size of the project.

The steps mentioned above can be switched around a bit, depending on your home and the scope of your project. The important thing to remember is that you will need to budget for this, you’ll need a permit, you’ll need a detailed blueprint of the project, and you’ll need a highly qualified general contractor with an architect.

If you’re in the San Diego or Orange county area and considering a second story addition, contact Greyhound General to learn more about your options. Or call 800-568-7108.