Planning a Second Story Addition

Planning to add a second story is not as complicated as you may first think. 2nd story remodels are quite common in the northeast where there are thousands of Ranch & Cape Cod type homes which adapt well to adding a second level..

The Second Story Floor plan

I see homeowners searching diligently for second story remodel floor plans on the internet. I guess there are some there but you are better off doing it yourself. Yes, it might be wrong in some areas but at the planning stage that's ok. You will be revising it several times & eventually settle on one layout. You will need this sketch to show prospective contractors. If they are decent contractors they may suggest a few changes that may improve the overall plan. Bear in mind every addition is custom built to your particular needs. It is you that needs to give the most idea input.

One of the first things to do is to layout a basic floor plan & then add in the details last. It is really quite simple. Sketch out the four walls of the proposed second floor, add in the footage length of each wall, add the location of the new staircase (if it is a Ranch)

Now add new window locations & window styles (double-hung, casement, picture, slider, etc) & chimney location, The staircase location is critical to the room layout. Everything starts at the head of the staircase because that is where the people enter & have to be guided left or right to whatever room they want to enter.

In most cases the bathroom will be located across from the top of the staircase. Next start to partition off the individual rooms & then add the closets.

If there is a kitchen planned then enter some cabinet layout. Now enter some details: Type of closet doors, finished flooring, electric switches & outlets etc

Next make side notes of as many exterior & interior details as you can think of: Gutters & downspout's, window shutters, siding type & color, roof type & color etc.

ok, your done. Now you will show this sketch to a few contractors. This sketch accomplishes more than you may realize.

It shows the prospective contractors that they have a hot prospect who is very interested in building a second story addition. People who are not really serious about building will have nothing but questions for the contractor & he will quickly realize he is wasting his time & will exit as soon as he can find a reason. He will throw you a lowball price & ask you to call him when you are ready.

The sketch will help you get a lower price because he realizes he will be competing against other contractors.

Sketch improvements will be made by perhaps three contractors & you will receive better ideas & suggestions that you may not have ever thought of.

The sketch is merely the beginning of a long process to get your second story addition built for your comfort & satisfaction at the lowest price available.

To get the full story see Second Story Additions 

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