Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Renovating

How to add a second storey to your house

Increase your property size and value. - by Rhys McKay
  • 26 Apr 2021

Adding a second level to your home seems like a huge project; after all, you’re potentially doubling your square footage and creating a whole floor of new space for your family to live.

WATCH: How to make over your front yard on a budget

While renovations don't come cheap, no matter what room of your home or project size you're tackling, they're a good way to increase the value of a property. 

Family Home tells us that “A second storey extension (or first-floor addition) is worth the effort because it transforms your home and adds more space”.

To help you through this challenge, we’re answering the biggest questions you have about adding a second storey to a house.

How much does a house extension cost

We’ll go into detail later about how much you can expect to pay for a second storey addition, but for now, it’s important to understand that this isn’t a cheap renovation. It’s a huge investment, but it’s often a cost-effective one as well. The overall cost depends on many factors, like size, layout, and what kind of materials you use (such as if you’re adding to a brick house or a cement one).

couple renovating home
Getty

What to consider when adding a second storey

Building regulations

AddStyle explains that before you can even begin considering construction work on your second storey addition, you need to check in with your local zoning office or council. They may have height restrictions or requirements for you to add another level to your home. Generally, if you have neighbours with second storeys, you should be fine—but always ask first.

Foundation

Legal Eagle Contractors outlines the importance of checking whether or not your existing foundations will be able to handle the extra weight. Some one-storey homes are not capable of holding up another level in their current state, in which case you may need to have it reinforced or consider a ground-floor extension instead. A great way to keep it simple with an open outdoor living area or outdoor kitchen.

Design

When designing for a second storey, you need to look at the bigger picture. How will your existing ground floor work with the new floor? Do you need to change the proportions of existing fittings like windows or doors? Will your home still have a visually-appealing facade? An architect will help you look at some of your design options before finalising the contract.

two people looknig at building plans
Getty

Timeline

Adding a second storey is not a project you should rush because mistakes can be costly and dangerous. Depending on how extensive the renovation is, you can finish in as little as 12 weeks for small additions or over a year for a larger and more complex layout.

Alternate living space

Most of the time, construction won’t significantly interfere with your daily living. The work can be isolated to a certain area of the house, especially if you’re renovating above the garage. But for more extensive work, you may have to struggle with uncomfortable living conditions or find a temporary living situation, even if for just a few days or weeks.

second story extension
Getty

Second storey and floor plan ideas

You have many options for adding a second storey to your building, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Some people may want to build a completely new upper level from scratch which includes tossing the old roof. Others may already have a second storey and would simply like to expand it. Still others may want a modular second storey built offsite, then later transferred to their homes to save on time.

Whether you’re doing a full or partial vertical expansion, the biggest challenge you will face is integrating it into your current design. You want to avoid looking blocky, unsightly, or otherwise tacked on without any thought.

Here are some floor plan layouts and extension ideas to give you inspiration for your renovation.

example floor plan

An example of a two-storey floor plan

Getty
converted roof space

An example of renovating and extending roof space for an additional room.

Getty

How much does adding a second storey cost?

As we’ve already mentioned, costs can vary depending on how much work needs to be done. According to Hi-Pages Most Australians pay between $1850 and $3300 per square metre. Whether your expansion is cheap or expensive is affected by several things.

Expenses will go up if the plumbing or wiring needs to be reworked. Reusing your old roof will save you much more money than if you have to build a new one from scratch. Also, labour costs in Sydney versus those in Perth (and other areas) are a major contributing factor to your final price tag.

No matter what number you come up with for your budget, add a buffer of about 20% to account for unknown expenses and contingencies. And if that number is terrifyingly high (often in the $200k range)? Just compare it to how much you would have to spend by moving to a new home. More often than not, your second storey addition will come out cheaper!

renovating a house

Build a second floor extension.

Getty

How to add a second storey

There are many renovation projects you can DIY, especially if you’re particularly handy around the home. Adding a second storey is not one of them.

This construction project is actually quite difficult and requires a team of skilled tradies, architects, and engineers to pull off. But even if you can’t do it on your own, there are still some things you should know when going about adding a second storey.

  • Do research on everything beforehand: the designs you want, your contractors, and your neighbourhood’s zoning and building regulations.
  • Get quotes and designs from different contractors. You might be able to get a better deal elsewhere.
  • If you don’t already, get insurance to cover any damages that might occur during construction, or make sure that your contractor accepts liability in their contract.
  • Plan for unexpected costs and furnishings; double-check with your designer if your budget is realistic and flexible enough to accommodate changes.
  • If you have issues with the design or execution, tell your contractor immediately. It is easier (and cheaper) to fix during construction rather than after.
  • Always inspect the property before they hand over the keys.
a-frame house
Getty

How long does adding a second storey take?

Hi-Pages tells us that “A good builder with extensive experience can get a second storey addition to a waterproof stage of completion in two to three weeks”. Adding a second storey to your home isn’t an impossible task. With the right contractors, you can increase your square footage, improve the property’s value, and breathe easier in your new home.

  • DIY
  • Renovating
  • Better Life

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to be an owner-builder

How to be an owner-builder

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

Three ways to keep your bathroom renovation costs down

The modern material reinventing home facades

The modern material reinventing home facades

How to revamp your home's façade

How to revamp your home's façade

{headline}

{headline}

Pete’s shortcut: How to design your open-plan home

Pete’s shortcut: How to design your open-plan home

Reader reno: From $79 Ikea bookcases to stunning custom library

Reader reno: From $79 Ikea bookcases to stunning custom library

This is the Australian house of the year

This is the Australian house of the year

{headline}

{headline}

5 of the best temporary wallpapers

5 of the best temporary wallpapers

Leaking pipes? Renovating? How to get the best out of your tradies

Leaking pipes? Renovating? How to get the best out of your tradies

You can now walk through your dream home before it's even built

You can now walk through your dream home before it's even built

What is house rendering and how much does it cost?

What is house rendering and how much does it cost?

Top five hidden costs of building a house

Top five hidden costs of building a house

How to renovate your garden and house exterior for less

How to renovate your garden and house exterior for less

The best ways to finance your next renovation project

The best ways to finance your next renovation project

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription