Leveling Up Your Home: Things to Consider When Adding A Second Floor

Sometimes, homes can become crowded as more people live in it, and more things are being stuffed inside. As such, you’d have the option of moving to a bigger home or expand your current one. Although it’s easier to expand outward at the ground, some properties may have no space left. As such, there’s no way but up --- and that means adding a second floor. But before you decide to add a second level to your home to expand its living space, there are a few things that you’d want to take note of first:

Have a Plan

First, you’ll want to have a plan in mind; you have to already have a layout, desired number of rooms, and other features before you contact an architect who will bring your ideas to paper and ensure that it’s safe and structurally sound. You’ll want to partner with an architect that has experience with these types of projects to reduce any possible issues and delays.

Moving Out (Temporarily)

It’s almost always guaranteed that you’d have to move out of your current house when it’s being renovated, and much more when a second floor is being added which means that the roof has to be removed. As such, it’s important that you can find a temporary place to stay once construction starts. Talk to relatives if you and your family could stay with them while your house is under construction, or rent out a temporary home or apartment.

Hire the Right People

Do remember that adding a second floor to your home is a lot more technical, challenging, and costly than merely expanding outwards by adding rooms at the ground level. As such, you’d want to make sure that you have the right people to do it to ensure the safety and structural integrity of your home renovation. As mentioned earlier, you’d want an architect who’s experienced with second-floor expansion, and you’d want the same for your builder. Make sure to get a registered builder that has the manpower and means to finish the project within timeline and within your budget --- remember, you’d be moving out temporarily as renovations are ongoing, and the more the construction is delayed, the costlier and more inconvenient it would be for you.

Legalities and Technicalities

You’ll first need to check if your home renovation project complies with regulations; specifically, the many local zoning regulations, neighbourhood plans, paperwork, and permits. Which is why it’s best to choose a builder who would be able to assist you with all these legalities. Additionally, you’d want your builder to have professionals on demolition (for the removal of your current roof), plumbing, electric wiring, and HVAC/air conditioning systems to ensure that your new and upgraded home wouldn’t only feature an additional level, but working electrical systems, plumbing, and air conditioning. You might also want to consider checking with a professional gardener to trim off branches if a nearby tree might be obstructing the construction of the second level.

Stairs Placement and Design

There’s a big chance that your single-storey home’s floor plan may not have had expansion in mind when it was first designed. As such, one of the challenges when adding another level to your home is where to put the stairs leading to the second level. It’s best to leave it to the professionals designing your home’s renovation as to where best to put the stairs and its design. However, you can always express your preferences as to where you’d want it to be located, and whether you wish to have a simple and functional staircase, or perhaps feature stairs that serves as a beautiful centerpiece for your renovated Melbourne home.

Adding a second floor to your home is a potentially tricky task and can be a huge headache, but with these tips in mind, it could go a lot easier. The bottom line is that you plan and do everything within regulation, and with trusted industry professionals to bring your two-storey dream home into a reality.