Tearing down a second floor - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Talo · 08-02-2005, 07:06 AM

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a cape house with the intention of doing some remodelling and reselling it. In order for the remodelling work to begin, I need to remove the second floor which is basically the attic of the house. I want to hire people to build a second floor onto that and then the attic so the house basically becomes a colonial.

I would like to remove the current second floor myself to save money, since there is a limited budget. If anyone has any idea on how I would go about doing that please let me know. I won't be doing it all myself as I can hire some workers, but I would like to know the process of it as they most likely would not have experience doing that.

j8ear · 08-02-2005, 09:56 AM

I suggest you hire an architect, who will plan your new second floor.

You will need permits for both the demolition, and the new construction, and an architect will be very useful for both. Likely even save you money and make your new add-a-level more valuable in the long run.

Adding a level, is NOT a homeowner's weekend project. In fact the demolition needs to be cooridnated with the contruction of the new level. You need to upgrade and expand mechanical, plumbing (usually) and electrical systems...and unless you're a GC...should be farmed out to qualified individuals.

If you are a General Contractor, I am very nervous about the the question your asking.

-bear

maleficent · 08-02-2005, 10:30 AM

Depending on where you live, you will also need building permits and inspections and all that other nifty stuff... You will also want to check to make sure that there are no resctrictions on how high you can go with the second floor.

I wouldnt even begin to know where to tell you how to start, but if you are talking about taking down the roof and rebuilding... that's a huge undertaking, it's not like switching out a sink...

BonesCPA · 08-02-2005, 11:53 AM

I did exactly what you are planning to do, except I didn't remove the second floor myself. If you are intent on saving funds, get a quote for the cost of demolition separate from the construction. Don't forget that cost includes debris removal, so you won't eliminate it completely.

Based on my experience, the demolition should only take about two to three days, depending on the size of the crew doing the work. Based on the amount of time it will take to rebuild the floor, project that to be about 5-10% of the time to do the whole job.

Stilts · 08-13-2005, 01:50 PM

Trying to do this yourself will very likely cost you much more money in the long run. It isn't a matter of just tearing it up, you have to carefully take it apart with as little damage as possible to the structure and with a continual eye to what will need to be done in future stages so that you do not inadvertently cause additional later on in the project.

That said, if you are determined to do this part yourself, at least spend the money and hire a good GC as a consultant for this part of the project, hopefully the same GC that will be doing rest of the work. Or at the very least hire a good carpenter knowledgable in all the different trades and be his laborer for the demolition. This will save you money, and hopefully avoid future problems.

08-02-2005, 07:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Talo Insane	Tearing down a second floor Hello everyone, I recently bought a cape house with the intention of doing some remodelling and reselling it. In order for the remodelling work to begin, I need to remove the second floor which is basically the attic of the house. I want to hire people to build a second floor onto that and then the attic so the house basically becomes a colonial. I would like to remove the current second floor myself to save money, since there is a limited budget. If anyone has any idea on how I would go about doing that please let me know. I won't be doing it all myself as I can hire some workers, but I would like to know the process of it as they most likely would not have experience doing that.

08-02-2005, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	I suggest you hire an architect, who will plan your new second floor. You will need permits for both the demolition, and the new construction, and an architect will be very useful for both. Likely even save you money and make your new add-a-level more valuable in the long run. Adding a level, is NOT a homeowner's weekend project. In fact the demolition needs to be cooridnated with the contruction of the new level. You need to upgrade and expand mechanical, plumbing (usually) and electrical systems...and unless you're a GC...should be farmed out to qualified individuals. If you are a General Contractor, I am very nervous about the the question your asking. -bear __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

08-02-2005, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Depending on where you live, you will also need building permits and inspections and all that other nifty stuff... You will also want to check to make sure that there are no resctrictions on how high you can go with the second floor. I wouldnt even begin to know where to tell you how to start, but if you are talking about taking down the roof and rebuilding... that's a huge undertaking, it's not like switching out a sink... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-02-2005, 11:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
BonesCPA No. It's not done yet. Location: sorta kinda phila	I did exactly what you are planning to do, except I didn't remove the second floor myself. If you are intent on saving funds, get a quote for the cost of demolition separate from the construction. Don't forget that cost includes debris removal, so you won't eliminate it completely. Based on my experience, the demolition should only take about two to three days, depending on the size of the crew doing the work. Based on the amount of time it will take to rebuild the floor, project that to be about 5-10% of the time to do the whole job. __________________ Back into hibernation.

08-13-2005, 01:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stilts Tilted	Trying to do this yourself will very likely cost you much more money in the long run. It isn't a matter of just tearing it up, you have to carefully take it apart with as little damage as possible to the structure and with a continual eye to what will need to be done in future stages so that you do not inadvertently cause additional later on in the project. That said, if you are determined to do this part yourself, at least spend the money and hire a good GC as a consultant for this part of the project, hopefully the same GC that will be doing rest of the work. Or at the very least hire a good carpenter knowledgable in all the different trades and be his laborer for the demolition. This will save you money, and hopefully avoid future problems.