idea of how much it would cost to "pop up" the back of our cape cod?

[Anonymous]

We're on an undersized lot in Arlington so we're not permitted to expand the footprint of our house. We're trying to decide whether we should move to a bigger house or expand the 2nd floor. To expand the second floor we're thinking to pop up the roof in the back (so that it will be flat instead of A-frame as it is now). I think by doing this and expanding the 2nd floor over our existing sunroom which runs across half of the back of the house , we should be able to gain enough room for another bedroom and a bathroom upstairs (the space would be approx 10 x 16). Any sense of approx how much this would cost?

TIA!!

[Anonymous]

This has been done several times in our bethesda neighborhood of 1930's capes, cost seems to range from $75k (that's with no bathroom, so basically just the framing) to about $150k. This was a few years ago when our neighbors were doing it, so prices have probably gone up some.

[Anonymous]

Be careful and consult with a structural engineer first. Not all Capes are structurally strong enough to support increased roof weight. There are a number of articles out there about raising the roof, but this letter/response will give you some ideas of the negatives to your idea: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Architecture-2369/2010/1/Raising-Cape-Cod-Roof.htm

[Anonymous]

That's $500 a square foot just for the framing. Seems high.

If there's already sound framing under the roof, it really shouldn't cost that much. They'll be cutting out and replacing a dozen joists and adding the front and side walls. If it's designed properly the carpentry isn't complicated. That's a LOT for this type of work.

Consider getting pre-fab panels if the structure permits.

[Anonymous]

150K is too high, should be 40 ky tops

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:150K is too high, should be 40 ky tops

Expect to pay around $200 per square foot - at a minimum. If you find someone who says they can do it for $40,000, question the quality of the product you are getting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:150K is too high, should be 40 ky tops

Expect to pay around $200 per square foot - at a minimum. If you find someone who says they can do it for $40,000, question the quality of the product you are getting.

Not the PP, but if I understood OP correctly it would add 160 sq ft, which at $200/sf would be $32,000.

[Anonymous]

OP, we have so many fugly add ons in our close in neighborhood. If you can afford it, move to a new nicer house. Some of the add ons are hideous and are done on the cheap and look it! You don't want it to look like the 7-11 help special (like my neighbors!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, we have so many fugly add ons in our close in neighborhood. If you can afford it, move to a new nicer house. Some of the add ons are hideous and are done on the cheap and look it! You don't want it to look like the 7-11 help special (like my neighbors!)

anything more than $30K and you got seriously ripped off.