Whether you want to add another room or a combination of several spaces to your home, a Bay Area second story addition could be the perfect solution.
Talk to a professional contractor like Done Right Home Remodeling to understand the scope and details of your project.
There are different types of second story additions you could consider. These are:
A dormer is a vertical window structure extension from the existing slope of a roof. This addition adds space and light to your home without too much engineering effort. This type of addition is classified as small-scale as the roof is not demolished or interfered with.
For this type of home addition, part of the roof is removed. A second story is installed, and a new roof is added on top of it. Partial second story addition in Bay Area makes sense when you want to add a few extra rooms without necessarily doubling the size of your home.
A full bay Area, second story addition is practical when adding several rooms to your home. The process involves the removal of the entire roof, the building of a new story, and finally, connecting the new spaces to the existing structure of your home.
The design of your Bay Area second story addition project will depend on factors like:
You will need a staircase to access the second story floor. This means our designer will factor in some space in your hallway, room, or yard to have the stairs, whether inside or outside. With creativity, we will find practical solutions that minimize space wastage.
An extension means more weight on your home. Our designers and structural experts will check whether the foundation can support more weight and determine the load capacity of your home’s beams and columns. Some projects may require additional steel supports to be installed in the foundation.
In most cases, additional rooms mean additional plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Some systems will allow for extension without the need to buy new ones. This may be the ideal time to install energy-efficient appliances such as solar heaters to reduce utility bills.
You must decide whether to buy new doors, match the existing ones, or find another approach for the upper floor.
Apart from increased space without the need to move out, Bay Area second story addition offers benefits such as:
| Benefits | Explanation |
| Keeping your outdoor space | The space would have been occupied by adding additional rooms on the same floor as the rest of your home. |
| Repair of the existing floor | The second story addition allows for adding some square footage and remodeling your home. Repair and improve your existing living space during the construction of the second story. |
| Beautiful views and scenery | A second story addition allows you to enjoy views that would otherwise be obscured from your line of sight from the ground floor. |
| Increased property value | Building a quality second story increases the market value of your home, should you decide to sell it. |
| More privacy | Second story additions can provide homeowners with more privacy by creating separate living areas from the rest of the home. |
To ensure your project complies with local building regulations, Done Right Home Remodeling will help obtain the permits by submitting the architectural and structural plans and other documents.
The construction will also need approvals, which we will acquire from the Department of Building Inspection. The permits include; plumbing, building, electrical, and mechanical, depending on the scope of your project.
The height requirements for second story additions in residential districts vary depending on the zoning district. For example, in Single-Family Residential districts, the maximum height is 30 feet, while in Two-Family Residential districts, the maximum height is 25 feet.
Other regulation include:
| 1 | Houses built decades ago may not conform to current zoning standards. They may be maintained and repaired, but any expansion or modification requires additional review. |
| 2 | If you want to add another bathroom, you may be required to increase the size of your septic system. |
| 3 | Increasing the number of bedrooms to five or more will need to be certified by the Bay Area officials after an on-site inspection. |
| 4 | If your project involves the removal of 50% or more of the exterior walls and roof, you will need a special building permit and on-site inspections. |
| 5 | Adding 600 feet or 15% of the lot area (whichever is less) requires an administrative use permit. |
Whether you want a dormer, partial, or full second story addition, we will walk you through the process. Construction will be seamless and professional resulting in a spacious, functional, and stylish home.
Choosing the right type of second story addition for your home can depend on a few factors, such as your budget, local building codes, and the style of your home. Our common types of second story additions include adding a full second story, adding a partial second story, or adding a modular second story.
Yes, it is possible to add a second story addition to a historic home, but it can require special attention to preserve the home’s character and architectural features. Our design team will work with you for your preferred renovations and to comply with any local Bay Area historic preservation guidelines.
As professional design-and-build contractors, our professionals can evaluate your home’s existing structure to determine if it can support a second story addition. We will assess your home’s foundation, framing, load-bearing walls can, and other factors that would impact its ability to support the additional weight.
We will identify any necessary structural upgrades based on the detailed analysis and offer the right recommendations.
Ensuring the structural soundness of a second story addition involves using proper materials, techniques, and building codes. You will work with our structural engineering team to design a strong, safe structure meeting local building codes and regulations.
Our structural design team works to design the second story addition’s structural system to support the weight of the roof and any additional load. This can include reinforcing the foundation, framing, and walls to strengthen and stabilize the structure.
A structural engineer plays a critical role in designing a second story addition. They work with the contractor to evaluate the existing structure, design the new structural elements, and ensure that the new addition is structurally sound and complies with Bay Area building codes and regulations.
Foundation problems such as settling or cracks can impact the construction of a second story addition in the Bay Area.
At Done Right Home Remodeling, we will address any existing foundation issues before adding additional weight to the structure.
When you hire us for your second story addition project in the Bay Area, we take up all permit applications and schedule inspections to ensure the project complies with all necessary regulations.
Inspections for a second story addition may include inspections for the foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
