Second story additions to a one story home are often complicated and expensive.

Why?

First, the foundation must be checked to see if it can support the added load. Then the roof must be removed and a location for the stair must be found.

Often, HVAC and the electrical system have to be replaced. Plumbing has to be added, often relocated.

Residents must move out for duration of construction. And there may be a requirement to upgrade to the current building code.

All of these make such remodels expensive. It may actually be cheaper to demolish the existing house and build all new.

If you have the needed budget and time then it may be a feasible alternative. Be sure to do your due diligence and get the proper professional advice and service.

Good luck!

Some areas have contractor or companies that specialize in second story additions, so I would try and find those and have them come out for a consultation. They should be able to give you a ballpark cost and timeline. Just assume that it will cost twice as much as you think and take twice as long to complete!

In my area doing a second story addition requires another level of permits and approvals, due to the impact it could have on your neighbors, so you might end up "fighting" with neighbors and needing a lawyer specializing in zoning issues.

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Decide what it is worth ($) to you to become un-"torn". Contact a local architect to see if they will advise you on becoming un-"torn" for the amount of money you have allocated to become un-"torn".

"Second story renovations" normally cost between $9,493 and $3,957,895; but it is difficult to price something when the something is unknown.

We had the same dilemma. Wound up tearing down and rebuilding in place. our house did not have anything really worth saving. It’s often cheaper to rebuild entirely than add a second story so I’d use the cost of a build to estimate.

to estimate a price I’d look at typical costs of a home in the size you are planning to build. Look also at new home costs in your greater metro (tract home and such). the higher side of that is probably close ish. That is your ballpark for rebuild in my amateur opinion

As someone who lives in the Long Island/New York area, and has done a lot of construction and new building, I'll tell you that NOTHING is inexpensive here. Depending on where on LI you live, it will be more or less but ALL expensive. The South Fork of Suffolk County and the North Shore of Nassau are the most expensive, but anywhere on LI good labor is very sought after and therefore pricey. And if you're in an incorporated village, the permitting costs are also sky high. The cost of a total second floor would probably start in the low 6-figures and go up considerably from there depending on the details of your construction (see comments from the architects above).

And don't discount the services of an architect. It's better to find out that you can't spend $250,000-500,000 on a renovation after spending a few thousand on an architect, than to start blindly and find out you can't afford it after blowing off the roof and you're in the middle of a snowstorm with only a tarp over your head.

Any time I've added a room, either horizontally or vertically, I've used an architect. Money well spent.

I’m in MA and overtime I have done a renos and a new build I use our (great)local engineering firm and their draftsperson. Her cost is a fraction of what an architect would charge.

BTW, I sent her to some friends who wanted a second story and her decision was the foundation and underpinnings (I think I am saying ti correctly) could not hold a second story.