The Toronto housing market is one of the most expensive in Canada. So when you want a larger home, it can be difficult to find something on a budget. That is why a second story addition may be the right solution for your home goals.
Black Pearl Custom Homes offers more than 20 years of building experience, which means you can trust the workmanship and expertise of their building and design team. Working with you from concept to final touches, your second story addition can flawlessly pair with your existing home structure to add more living space.
You will have a dedicated project manager from start to finish so you can always feel confident that your questions and ideas will be heard. You will always get a transparent and honest quote. There are no surprises and no hidden fees.
How do you add a second story to your home? Here are some helpful tips to make your dream a reality.
Design
Do you need extra sleeping space? Do you want to add a games room? Do you need a home office? Discuss your design needs with your consultant to understand what elements are most important to you. Perhaps you don’t just want a second storey, but higher ceilings too to add grace and grandeur to your home. Going through this important step will help you outline a budget so you can begin to figure out your overall building plan.
You can add many second-story options to your home to fit any living space requirement.
- Complete Second Story – If you live in a bungalow, a complete second story can add not only space but value you to your home.
- Second Story Over a Garage – This is a great option if you are looking for an in-laws suite or an office space
- Modular Second Story – This prefab option is perfect when you want something easy on design features and cost
Designing your new space is a fun and creative experience. Take the time to research similar spaces so you can create the perfect new addition. Our team will help develop a design that truly reflects your lifestyle.
Cost
Putting an addition on your home is more than just adding more living space. There are building fees similar to any home renovation project such as building permits. In Toronto, these fees are based on the size of your home and project.
Residential Unit Fee
- Each new residential unit included in an application $52.08/unit
- Single Family Dwellings, Semis, Townhouses, Duplexes, Live/Work Units $17.16 (per m²)
- Interior alterations (partitions, finishings, etc.) $4.93 (per m²)
Homeowners should expect to pay between $100 and $200 per square foot for an addition to their home. Based on a second story addition of 700 to 1,000 square feet, this could cost upwards of $200,000. Additionally, homeowners should budget for architectural and planning fees with a possible overrun of up to 20 per cent.
Support of New Structure
The thought of a second story may seem like a great way to add more room to your home, but before any work can be done, it is important to find out if your home can support a second storey addition. Many homes may not be designed with expansion in mind and initially will not be able to handle the additional weight. The team at Black Pearl Custom Homes will do a complete site evaluation to determine if a second story is feasible. This may include soil tests to calculate the level of support under the home foundation.
Building Codes
Your Black Pearl Custom Homes consultant will review the overall structure of your home to ensure your addition meets all building codes and design guidelines. If you are given the green light to begin building, codes may require the addition of steel or plywood connections extending into the foundation to add extra support. Your addition will also have to meet any fire or minimum size codes. Using a trusted professional will ensure you get the results you want and meet all the guidelines required by your city or province.
Materials
You want your new addition to fit into the overall design of your home. Our consultants will work with you to carefully match your existing look to create a seamless flow through your home from old space to new. From matching fixtures to adding new and unique touches, every aspect of your new space will be a reflection of your taste and style.
Time
When you are adding a second story to your home, it is important to consider the amount of time it will take. While a prefab modular second story can often be installed within a week or two, larger projects can take much longer. It’s important to factor how this will affect your day to day life and plan accordingly.
If you are going with a traditional construction project, the addition may take longer, requiring you to find somewhere else to live temporarily. A second story addition usually requires the removal of portions of the roof, not an ideal living situation. Remember to factor in the potential accommodation costs or having to arrange to stay with family into your overall construction plan so you can continue to enjoy comfortable living arrangements.
No matter which type of second story addition you choose for your home, Black Pearl Custom Homes can work with your family to make sure there is no intrusion on your life and you never feel like you are living in a construction zone.
Our team has the expertise and know-how to guide you through the entire building process. We have helped homeowners build their construction dreams from major cities across the GTA including Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Aurora, Stouffville, Mississauga, and Oakville.
Check out our gallery for examples of our finely crafted custom homes and additions. Reach out to our team of design and building experts to arrange a free consultation. Contact us now 416-418-7660