Which is more economical, dormers or first floor
addition?

Hi,

I have been surfing your website and am enjoying the basic
information.  I have a question about adding space to my ranch
house.  I haven't been able to find information anywhere about
the cost comparisons to building an addition on the second
floor versus building an addition out the main floor of a ranch
home.  

I live in a 3 BR/2 bath ranch home, approximately 1500 sf with a
LR, FR, Kitch, Laundry room on the main floor.  The LR, FR,
Kitchen areas have vaulted ceilings and are essentially an
open floor plan (almost a u shape).  We have a full finished
basement also.  

We are expanding our family soon and would like to have 4
bedrooms/3 baths in the main part of the house within the next
few years.  Is it more economical to build an addition as a
second story (knowing that half of the house has vaulted
ceilings right now) or add the rooms onto the back of our house
on the main floor?  Can you give me any information?   

Thanks in advance for this information.

A. A.

Dear A.A.
Good question. Normally building dormers or entire second
stories is the most economical way to get large amounts of
square footage. That doesn't mean it's cheap but you do get
more bang for your buck.
In your case you have good reasons to build a first floor
addition. It would not make any sense to do away with your
vaulted ceilings. You are not looking for large square footage
for several rooms, you are looking for an additional bedroom &
bathroom. Assuming you have the lot size to permit this addition
then I think that is the way to go. Make sure you don't skimp on
size. Whatever you save now on building too small will come
back to haunt you when sell time comes around.

Regards,
Bill Harbrecht