No idea of ballpark reno costs, but isn't this one sweet?

I've seen small capes expanded forward to create an "L" in front, which gives you a cozy entryway, patio, or garden tucked in the L.

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Raising the roof? And then putting the 1/2 story back on top? And then an addition off to the side? What’s the foundation like? Is there a basement?

If you have lots of tradespersons to help, along with the necessary expertise, I guess maybe all you’re talking about is materials.

Do you live in a high cost area? Are you in the U.S.? Materials are really high right now.

I live in New Hampshire, and I would like to essentially rip the top of the house off and build the walls up and add a full 2nd story, and yes an addition on the left side, the addition on that side is for a repair the previous owners put a small addition on that side as garage and it was not done right so we have to demo it and pour new foundation anyways. I know it is a huge job. I’m also looking for advice really on any other ways to expand and also raise the first floor ceiling it is very very low. I am lost on how to accomplish these things and what my best options are.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will come along to help.

The first thing I think of is the existing foundation - is it structurally sound enough to support what you want to stack on it?

You are practically rebuilding the house to raise the height of the existing first floor and adding a full second story.

The stairs will have to be rebuilt to accommodate the longer run.

Can you add 1.5 feet to the existing wall framing? Something like this?

Would a tear down be faster and more cost effective?

Oh, and regarding the wall framing picture above, you cannot just add onto the wall upward to make it taller. That creates a hinge point.

I'd price a tear down, because if you tear it down, you'll get a fresh slate, instead of being stuck with the existing layout and floor plan.

It will be less expensive if you raise the roof and build a shed dormer for the second floor. See images below. Someone has to check and see if you currently have a foundation that can support all the additional weight of the addition before you go further.

We have a small Cape that has been expanded up and back 3 times, twice in the 1980s by previous owners and then last year. We're in a high cost area and have zero DIY skills or knowledge so our costs and experience may not be all that relevant. As you & others said, it's a huge job in terms of time and money. A full tear-down might be simpler and not much more expensive. Our project last year "only" involved ripping the roof off part of the house (an addition by previous owners) and it was easier for the builders to take it down to the foundation.

Alternatively since you said you have a lot of land, you might consider @3onthetree's suggestion to add on around the house. When we were flailing about trying to figure out how to improve our house, I remember reading that this was the traditional approach in New England.

i was in a cape in ann arbor - the owners opened up the ceiling of the front 1/2 of the house = high cathedral ceiling while the back remaining 1/2 upstairs fairly open. then they added i think a big master suite on one end of the house. it was cool.