Addition construction advice/guidance needed

[zacs]

Thanks Bill. Yeah, i'm just looking to stay on the same footprint, just go up a level, including over my garage.

I already have a layout/plan in mind, it would still be same # of beds so no ISDS issues.

but if raising ceiling height on the first level is big $$ and hassle, I may not do it. I think it would need to be done along with the addition, though, because I think it would be hard to sell a higher end home in my neighborhood with low 1964 ceilings on the first floor. People looking to buy a nicer 3000+sqft house in my neighborhood want the nice high modern ceilings.

[Stewie]

I've done two or three of those. The only time it made sense was when we made a cape into a colonial. Chances are, you have small rooms downstairs and will add large bedrooms upstairs. You will lose a surprising amount of space to the stairway itself, thus making one of your downstairs rooms even smaller.

If you do an entire rip out the walls remodel of your whole house, you'll probably want to change the location of windows et.c.

Raising the ceilings downstairs more than a few inches would be very difficult and expensive.

My brother in law tried to get me to do a second story on his house. I refused to even talk about it. He hired someone who did a decent job, then he sold the house at a loss and bought another one.

I'm going to have to go along with those who have recommended moving.....Sorry

[nightfighter]

Gotta agree with Stewie... And I have also done this to my own house when I was married, before kids. Took a cottage to a salt box. Does not make economic sense, nor will you get all the room you are looking for.

[Grapenuts]

lets see,if you were down on the elbow of the cape that wood run you about 423-450,000.00 and that wouldn't enclude any new septic for those new bedrooms.

new con. per sq.ft runs around 175-200.00, about half the builders are going 240.-250.......don't shoot the builder..aim at all the subs who get 100.00 an hour.insurance is very high..permitts have gone way=way up....lumber yards have gone down alot in prices, but if your into plastic trim you can tripppplle the trim price. .....your far better off buying a home thats 15-20 years old..far better materials in it then whats used today.reel wood..reel nails...reel paint..better built in most cases.larger land mass.