Can I Add a Second Floor to My Home and How Much Does It Cost?

If your current home layout just isn't working for you anymore, you may be wondering if it's possible to build a second story. Adding a second story to a house will double your living space, making it a potential solution for families that have outgrown their current spaces.

This May Also Interest You: Will Building an Addition Add to Your Home Value?

However, building a second story is a major undertaking and an expensive project. So, how much does it cost to add a second story, and is it worth it? Find out below.

Can I Add a Second Floor to an Existing House?

Many homeowners will be able to build a second-story addition, but whether it's a feasible option depends on a few factors.

Can Your Foundation Support a Second Story?

First, you'll need to check whether your foundation and existing structure can support an additional story. Some homes are unsuitable for a second-story addition because of their design or the type of land they're built on. Even if it's possible, you may need to alter or reinforce the structure or foundation before you can start building. A professional builder can tell you whether adding a second story is possible, so start there.

Do You Have the Right Permits?

Adding a second floor to your home is a major undertaking, and it changes the face of your home entirely. As such, you'll need to determine whether your local building restrictions let you extend your home upwards. Check that any builder you hire is aware of local regulations and has obtained the correct permits.

Consider Converting Your Attic

You may already have a "second floor" of your home in the form of an attic. Converting an attic into a living space may be more practical — in terms of construction and cost — than adding an entire second floor to your home. That said, adding extra weight on top of your house is going to put some strain on your foundation. And, similar to adding a full second floor, you're going to need to make sure you consult a contractor and obtain the correct building permits before converting your attic into a living space.

How Much Does It Cost to Add a Second Floor to My Home?

How much it costs to add a second floor depends on the type of addition you want, the materials you choose and whether you need to replace the roof. It's sometimes possible to retain the existing roofing materials and reinstall them, but many projects require a new roof. Labor rates also vary widely according to location.

Generally, you can expect to pay a professional contractor between $100 and $300 (CAD 136 and CAD 407) per square foot to add a second story to a house, says Forbes. These figures assume you're building a couple of extra bedrooms and a bathroom. This works out to a total cost between $100,000 and $300,000 (CAD 135,622 and CAD 406,866) for an additional 1,000 square feet. However, these costs can be even higher if you want a complex design or premium materials.

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Is It Cheaper to Build an Addition?

It's generally cheaper to build out than up. According to data from Forbes, you should expect to spend between $80 and $200 (CAD 109 and CAD 272) per square foot for building a ground-floor home addition, but costs will vary depending on labor rates in your area, the design and what materials you select.

Is Adding a Second Story Worth It?

Whether it's worth it to build a second story depends on your circumstances. Although it's generally cheaper to add a ground-floor addition to a house than to build a second story, many people find living in a two-story house more practical. Unless you own a lot of land, you probably won't have enough space to build an addition equaling the square footage of your existing property, whereas a second floor could effectively double your square footage.

Another factor to consider is how much upheaval you're prepared to tolerate during the build. Building a second story involves removing the roof, so your house will likely be uninhabitable for most of the process. Therefore, you'll need to shoulder the cost and inconvenience of living elsewhere until the project is complete. It's important to factor in the costs of renting alternative accommodations when deciding whether you can afford to build a second story.

Once you've added up the cost of building a second story and compared it to building an addition, it's also worth considering if you might be better off moving instead. Selling your property and buying a larger home comes with its own costs, but it may work out to be cheaper than either option. It will also save you the inconvenience of undertaking a major building project.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.