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question about adding onto existing house

ufvj217

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Nov 21, 2013
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Not sure where else this should be posted but I figured here is good because technically it includes a garage in the addition lol. Anyways so here is my question. I've been remodeling (completely gutted and redoing everything) a house im going to move into eventually. I'm getting close with the existing house, but there are additions I want to do, both out as well as up (only on the new construction will there be a 2nd story, not messing with existing roof)

My question is, when I add my front attached garage, kitchen (old kitchen was turned into something else) as well as the living room area (original also turned into something else), can I have the first story additions built so I can get the first story (drywall texture floor etc) wrapped up and done, then do the second story later on (as much as maybe 6 months after)? Main reason is money really, a relative is going to give me a loan but and I dont want to really borrow TOO much, id be good with just getting the first story (block) built and closed up.

My main question about this I guess is the roof. Obviously I'm not going to finish it and put shingles only to tear it off 6 months after. Can a flat roof of some sort that the second story (frame) can be continued off of, yet be water proof? Not really concerned with it not being insulated well etc, because at this point im still going to be working on it and not living there yet.

I figured there are builders on here that can assist me. I tried searching google but I really don't know what to type in to search because this is kind of long lol.

As far as permits go, I can just pull the permits for everything (plans are being drawn as we speak), so I can just leave the permits active until im all finished.
 
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rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
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visalia ca
Yes you can
My dad did that when we built his house. The upstairs area over the garage was left unfinished ( no drywall, electrical, or insulation) .
The city inspected the house and had no problem with it and he even told them that he would be finishing it some time later. They said fine just get a permit at that time.
Later he weld and finished the framing of the bathroom and the electrical and drywall. Did not do anything else as he used it as an art studio but it is laid out that he can turn it into a guest suite when he goes to sell the house

Bob
 
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ufvj217

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Nov 21, 2013
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Well I'm saying can I add JUST the first story, with plans of adding the 2nd story within maybe 6 months. What you explained sounds like you added the 2nd story and left it unfinished inside temporarily (unless I understood wrong)
 

NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
You probably could but it'd have to be water/weather tight. If it leaks while you're waiting to do the addition or during the addition, you take the risk of ruining the insulation, drywall and any interior finished work.

If it were mine, I'd get it all framed and closed in, weather tight. Then finish it up inside after that 6 month period, which will be winter.
 

jwh

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Aug 10, 2005
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Rochester NY
Put an addition on our house a couple summers ago and gotta agree with Eric, get everything outside done at once. I'm guessing you're planning on some type of landscaping, that's something else you'd probably have to hold off or risk ruining.
 
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jwh

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Aug 10, 2005
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Rochester NY
Also check with your town on how long your permits will be good for. Our permits were good for 1 year.
 

blazentrout

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Jul 11, 2007
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Grand Rapids, Mi
I will say its a yes and no. Yes you can do but i say no its not a good idea as one heavy rain storm while you got the roof open and you you can kiss that drywall ceiling good bye.

Not knowing where you live may make a difference on the work schedule. if it was me i would ruff in both floors at the same time and get the structure dryed in, then finish the first floor and then the second floor later. What i see you doing is ******* away time and money that you dont need to (if the second floor was a couple of years down the road my opinion would be different) plus you might not be able to get away with a flat roof do to code issues. just my 2 cents.
 

Pluribus

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Skagit County, WA
The cost of materials for 6 months temporary use would seem to make this undesirable. I'm assuming it would be some sort of torch-down roofing or membrane, and that's going to be a significant extra cost in building. When you tear it off, it isn't likely going to be usable. I'd rather borrow a little more, than do a bunch of extra work and spend a bunch of extra money on materials that will be likely be torn out and thrown away. I know of people who have done this for a many-year project, and there it would seem to make more sense. Am I missing something or interpreting this wrong somehow?
 

madstat

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Mar 22, 2011
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Southeast Michigan
I'm trying to think under which circumstances this makes sense to do and I cannot come up with a good one. Also in my experience, if you currently only have enough money to do the first story and if by the hammer of Thor, wherever the new money is coming from 6 months later doesn't end up cannibalized to finish the first floor that was supposed to be finished 6 months ago than you sir are a living god.
 

xyster101

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Jul 3, 2013
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Upstate NY
Just borrow the extra money. Lets say you need $50k to do this project and you borrow $20k right now. Then you are going to be paying that $20k over the next 6 months, which means you will still need that remaining $30k in 6 months, but you have been paying off the original $20k. Are you going to have the final $30k or another loan from the family?

You could frame 1st and 2nd story and do exterior work. Then insulate and do wires on the first floor. Then drywall and do finish work in 6 months. You can live with studs exposed and OSB flooring for 6 months on the first floor, no problem. Once you start exterior finishing, ex siding, it is easier to do it all at once then some now and some in 6 months.
 
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