Most people all over the world prefer to start off by purchasing small houses, so they can purchase them at prices that are easier to pay for. Later on they often add on rooms whenever their family grows or when they have the ability to buy some amenities. One of the best ways to get more space at your home is by adding another floor. But the concept of building house extensions by adding another floor of living space can scare most homeowners in the beginning. On the brighter side, opting for second story additions is highly beneficial and it is a process that can be accomplished easily, when you choose the right professional contractors to help you.
Before you set out to build any type of house extensions, including second story additions, it is important to check-in with your local building department and find out if there are any restrictions in your neighborhood that would prevent you from this type of project.
There are various laws governing house additions in each state and it is crucial to check with the building department to find out if the plan that you have in mind is legally permitted. Completing the entire renovation and then realizing that it is against the law, will not only cause legal problems, but at worst, the house will have to be torn down completely, which can complicate things further. To avoid all these things, it is recommended you speak with the contractor you have chosen to get all the proper building permits for you, from the building department in your town.
Another aspect you need to keep in mind when you opt for building vertical house extensions is the strength of your existing wall framing and foundation. Only a professional contractor and an architect can help you figure out if your home is capable of holding second story additions the way it is. Sometimes special concrete footers have to be retrofitted to your existing foundation, along with beams to prepare your house for the additional weight load. As long as you pick an experienced contractor, you will not have to worry about this problem yourself.
When you opt for second story additions, you should plan everything in great detail. Unlike when you first built your home, the amount of space available for building the second story is very limited. You should ensure you sit with your contractor and discuss your requirements in detail, so the architect or house designer can come up with a plan that makes maximum use of the available space. When you make changes to house extensions plans once the task is in progress, you can complicate the entire process. Therefore, ensure you have total clarity in terms of your requirements before construction begins.
Building second story additions is not the easiest thing for a homeowner to go through, because there can be times when you will have to stay at a friend's house or be confined to a corner of your house. House extensions of this nature suggest that your existing roof must be removed, which will obviously expose your house to the elements. Make sure you choose a contractor who has plenty of experience with building second story additions, since it really is much more difficult than a typical horizontal house extension. There are websites that can help you find contractors who know these projects well, Simply Additions is one of them.

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