renovations (floor, roof, foundation, furniture)

[justwondering13]

Is it cheaper to build a second story or build my one story out?

[Thegonagle]

Depends on a lot of things.

Please try the House forum here at City-Data.

[Kebinminn]

I asked my husband who is experienced in that area and he gave a general it depends on the house and your wishes. You need to get an estimate for both options.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by justwondering13

Is it cheaper to build a second story or build my one story out?

Neither option will be "cheap(er)".

Building up requires a foundation that will support the extra load or that it be improved to.
It also requires damaging/removal and later replacement of a whole plethora of existing finished surfaces.

If those surfaces (and roof structure?) are in good condition now...
it will be hard to justify disturbing them.

Absent zoning conflicts, set back rules, too small a yard, etc...
building out can be done at (nearly) any home. It's still a lot of work.

hth

[beachmel]

Originally Posted by MrRational

Neither option will be "cheap(er)".

Building up requires a foundation that will support the extra load or that it be improved to.
It also requires damaging/removal and later replacement of a whole plethora of existing finished surfaces.

If those surfaces (and roof structure?) are in good condition now...
it will be hard to justify disturbing them.

Absent zoning conflicts, set back rules, too small a yard, etc...
building out can be done at (nearly) any home. It's still a lot of work.

hth

You also have to ask yourself....are you staying there for the long haul? Will adding a second story, as opposed to building out, create hardships or hazards later one when you have to navigate from the bottom floor to the upstairs? If I had to rebuild, seeing how hubby and I are getting a bit older, we would go with a single-story house. Not only is it a lot of work moving furniture from one floor to another, but frankly, a few years down the road, those stairs could become a major obstacle. Eventually, we probably will add on another room on to the first floor of our home, just to avoid that obstacle.