| Planning is the key when taking on a home | | | | help to add seismic or wind-resistant construction to |
| improvement project. Before you plan your second | | | | the walls, framing and connections. Furthermore, you |
| story addition it is important that you research what | | | | may need new load bearing walls, a floor space |
| obstacles may need to be dealt with. For starters, | | | | robbing staircase and you may need to take off your |
| before the project begins you must first get approval | | | | old roof. All of these aspects require planning. |
| from your city planning or building department. Once | | | | Further considerations involve your existing heating, |
| the project begins, you should be prepared to move | | | | cooling and hot water systems. If you add a second |
| out of your home during the major stages of | | | | story to your house then your current HVAC systems |
| remodeling because they will interrupt every function in | | | | probably won't be sufficient for the added square |
| a home. These are just two examples of steps that | | | | footage. You will probably have to upgrade your |
| need to be taken during the planning process. | | | | electrical and plumbing system as well. And while we |
| With regards to obtaining approval from your city, you | | | | are on the topic of upgrades, you should consider |
| should know that ordinances vary widely from city to | | | | upgrading the look and feel of your existing home to |
| city. In general, they all dictate how much square | | | | match new materials used in your second story |
| footage can be added to a home, how much of a lot | | | | addition. |
| can be developed, how high a home can be built and | | | | There are several ways to go about handling the |
| even how much of a neighbor's view or sunlight the | | | | actual project. Some home owners bring their own |
| new construction can block. This may be a time | | | | architects and engineers to the job. However, |
| consuming process because often times your second | | | | sometimes the project gets messy this way because |
| story plans will require a city council meeting or other | | | | there isn't one single person overseeing everything. It |
| public hearing. | | | | may be best to hire a contractor as a single point |
| The age and condition of your home are also | | | | person to handle such an extensive job. He will |
| important aspects to consider when deciding to add a | | | | oversee everything from design, through engineering |
| second story to your home. Your home may need | | | | and to completion. If the contractor doesn't have a |
| some strengthening in order to withstand the weight of | | | | design team or engineer on staff, sub-contractors will |
| the new addition. It may require strengthening of your | | | | be hired by him to get the job done. |
| foundation and walls. Depending on you region, it may | | | | |