Are you thinking about adding a second story to your house, but you’re still unsure about whether it makes sense to do so or not? You are not alone. Many homeowners face this predicament, and let’s face it, it’s not a decision you can make lightly. After all, expansions, whether horizontally or vertically, are not exactly cheap, and they will undoubtedly cause disruptions at home. 

So, how do you decide, then? The key is weighing the pros and cons – that and asking yourself the questions Incredible Homes, trusted general contractors in Houston, shares on this post. Your answers to these questions will help determine if a second-floor addition is a smart move for you or not: 

Do You Have the Budget for It? 

This should perhaps be the first question to ask yourself, but it’s not the easiest to answer, mainly because you probably have no idea how much such a project costs. You may be enticed to add another floor to your home because you heard from an old friend that they were able to do it under $100,000, and it turned out awesome. You should remember, though, that it’s not going to cost the same for you even if you get the same contractor for the job. There are a lot of factors that come into play – number of rooms, size of the house, location, and more. As a rule of thumb, though, it’s best to start projects like a second-floor addition when you have a budget of at least $400,000. 

Do You See Yourself Living in That House Until You Grow Old?

Do you love where you live right now? It’s not just the house to consider here but your location, too. If you can’t see yourself living elsewhere, that’s a good reason to expand your current home. However, if you don’t exactly love your city or town and always wish you could move elsewhere, you might want to put any renovation projects on hold. It doesn’t make sense to spend that much money on a house that you might leave in a few years or so. 

How Much Space Do You Really Need?

People often wonder why second-floor additions cost so much, even when they just want a master suite. Well, it’s because it’s not only calculated by the number of rooms you want (although that’s a huge factor, too). Remember that when you are expanding up, you are also getting additional heating, new stairs, and a new roofing system, among others. If you have the budget for it, it’s better to have a 3-bed and 2-bath addition for your second floor as that makes it a better value for your investment. 

Can Your Home’s Architectural Style Support a Second Floor?

Many homeowners do not realize that not all architectural styles are meant for an additional story, and making such a big change can compromise the aesthetics and the safety of the home. How will your home’s first-floor look with a second floor? Most ranch houses do great with second-floor additions, but bungalows can be complicated. Also, you need to consider your neighborhood too. Will the addition of a second floor be a hassle to any of your neighbors, or will it ruin the whole look of your neighborhood that’s keeping a certain appeal? If so, you might want to reconsider your decision. 

Conclusion

If, after answering all these questions, you find that a second-floor addition is indeed for you, then congratulations! Any remodeling project is exciting. However, you should also be prepared for it – and not only financially. Know that you would have to move your family elsewhere while the project is being done, so make sure that you consider that, too. If your decision is final, ensure that you get a dependable general contractor to handle your project. 

Incredible Homes is among the best general contractors in Houston that can do your second story addition or any remodeling project you might have in mind. Contact our team today and get a quote for your project!