Need help for first steps in home add-on

10 months ago

Hello!

I have a 2-story 1930's house in the Los Angeles area that is on an incline. It is about 1700 sq ft and has 2 real bedrooms, and one small bedroom we use for an office/guest room. We would ideally like to add on to our home to fit our growing and aging family. I honestly have no idea how much it would cost to add something on that would meet our needs given the current layout (and incline) of the house, or whether our only realistic option is to buy a different house.

I would like to work with an architect to come up with a general plan so that I have something to take to contractors to try to get a realistic estimate as to how much it would likely cost before we invest too much--since I am not sure whether what we need would be cost prohibitive. I imagine we are looking at probably a 1,000 sq ft addition -- 2 bedrooms, 1 bath (maybe another room, if possible in the budget), and if we can do it for under $500,000, we would likely want to go forward. If that is unrealistic we will have to think of other options.

What should I be asking for from an architect that is the most basic level of design but enough to be able to get quotes? I don't want to invest too much $$ into the project if it is going to be clear early on that we are not going to make it happen.

As an aside, if you have recommendations for LA architects who are good with coming up with creative solutions for adding on to existing properties, and can work with older homes without transforming them into modern homes, that would be appreciated!

Thank you!

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Comments (5)

cat_ky
10 months ago
Your first step should be to find out, if you are even allowed to do that on your lot. The city should be able to provide you with that information.
dan1888
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
I'd get a current market value for your house. That plus 500k gives you a new construction budget. Because of fire damage there will be new construction options. Include this option in your calculations. Here's one builder. Thomas James Link.

Here's an LA build and architect.

At 7:40 the architect is Greg Chasen. Link.

Greg Chasen (@chasenarc) • Instagram photos and videos
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KT Builders
10 months ago
500k might get you a 400 sq ft ground floor add-on. Maybe. And that might be just the permit paperwork, architectural fees, geological engineer fees, structural engineer fees, and 1 load of post tariff lumber. If you want aging in place, you need to move.
chispa
10 months ago
You need to find out what the hillside zoning laws are. About 10 years ago we had friends in the foothills who wanted to expand an old unique house and could not get an approval to expand the footprint. It wasn't a large addition and they were keeping all the character that made the house unique. They tried legal appeals and still couldn't get permits for it.

I have a good LA architect. We used him when we still lived in LA. but designed a house we were building in FL. Nice guy and easy to work with. Also have a great builder in LA. He built a guest house for us back in 2011.

Turn on messages for your profile so I can send you their details.
millworkman
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
" I imagine we are looking at probably a 1,000 sq ft addition -- 2 bedrooms, 1 bath (maybe another room, if possible in the budget), and if we can do it for under $500,000, we would likely want to go forward. "

In LA with a sloped lot, take your 500K and 3-4 times it for that 1000 sq ft. Of course that is a guess but in todays climate I would be willing to bet I am not far off.