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We've found a house with not too bad condition and affordable price range. However, it's bi level style which is not my favorite because of the entrance. Just want to ask if anyone has experience to convert bi-level to ranch with walk out basement (lift the door to main level) or a raised ranch (lower the door to ground level). I think the project will basically lift/lower the front door and rebuild then interior stairs to go up/down. How much will the project cost generally? Do I need to hire architecture for this?
That style of house is usually referred to as a split-foyer.
Moving the front entry up or down doesn't really matter- but generally, one would want to enter into a common area- living room/ family room.
Your problem is going to be reconfiguring the stairs- a straight run of stairs can eat more sq/ft than you think.
Or, you can leave the stairs as is and move the entry door to a common area.
I saw this done in a magazine once. The front door was completed relocated and a new set of stairs was added near the new door. The old front door, on the outside, was covered to look like a side of the house. The inside (where the old front door was) was then finished with drywall so it became a wall with the split stairs.
This is called a "Raised Ranch" here in connecticut. I remember there being a website devoted to remodeling these types of homes but I do not recall the name of it or the address. It had a lot of good information on ways to make this style of home work better and a lot of pictures as well. I may have saved it on my computer at work and will chekc in the morning. Jay
Thanks, guys. Very useful information.
There are tons of siplt/bi level homes in the area we are looking. Therefore, it's good to know those creative idea to remodel this type of home. I think we should try to expand the entrance by adding the addition/porch at the front door instead of changing the whole entrance structure. I believe that it will save lots of money as well.
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