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Cheaper to build out or up?

10 years ago

I will try and attach a pic... Not sure if it will work! Anyway, when looking at house we have a playroom attached to right side of the house. (11 x 15) thinking about taking that off and building a room of the same size above garage on left side. Any cost savings? Less foundation... But will it save $$

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

nappervalleyview
10 years ago
We are located in Louisiana and just started getting bids back. Definitely is coming back much cheaper to go up than out. Less foundation, less roofing, and less exterior wall product.
mom2samlibby
10 years ago
Up is cheaper.
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Your husband is right -- that's just math. The exterior of your house is very expensive: Foundation, brick, roofing, etc. And a square house will have more square footage in relation to the exterior. However, when you build a square, you will -- by necessity -- have space in the middle that is hard to design and/or is dark because it's not on the exterior. So a square works best if it's a small square. For a perfect example, look at floorplans for a classic American FourSquare. Typically you'll have a center hall with a staircase, and four rooms opening off of it. Whether it's cheaper to go "up" or "out" depends upon where you live. If you live in a place where land is expensive, "up" is probably your best best. And in such a location, "up" is cheaper because you need less foundation and less roofing. BUT when you build "up", you have to use up square footage on staircase, which is not useful living space, and heating two levels is more tricky than heating one. For a good write-up /comparison from a professional, try Marvin Ferguson's book Better Homes, Better Living (I hope I got that name right). On the other hand, your husband is wrong about the joists being cheaper. If you're trying to be frugal, be sure you standard sizes in everything from joists to windows, a simple footprint, consolidated plumbing, and a simple roofline. Those things will make more difference than square vs. almost-square.
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I agree this is not something where we can really have any helpful input . I have no experience with slab foundation as I live where we all have basements. Usually the first step is to find out if your first floor can support a 2nd storey and that only happens with an architect and maybe even an engineer. What are you planning for the additional space? Are you at max sq footage for the lot already ? Too many questions you need to have answered by pros in your area.
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User
10 years ago
Going up saves roof and foundation but often adds some exterior wall and adds a stair that takes up space on both floors unless it is over a basement stair.

If there is already a second level moving a space up will be cheaper.
mrspete
10 years ago
I read a detailed discussion on this topic in the book Better Houses, Better Living by an M. Ferguson. (If I don't have the name quite right, it's close enough to help you find the book.) I enjoyed the book very much. He's a retired home inspector who wrote a whole book about things you want to avoid in your house. I do recommend the book. I had some difficulty obtaining my copy, but I would suggest that anyone building a house put in the effort to locate one.

He brings up quite a few points, including cost of land, size of foundation, space lost to the staircase, exterior vs. interior walls, cost of heating/cooling . . . I can't remember it all, but it was a detailed answer and very worth reading.

His conclusion: It depends upon circumstances.

Putting aside the issue of cost, do remember that an "up house" vs. an "out house" will bring you different benefits, which may mean more to you than the cost difference. An "up house", for example, is more likely to allow you to have windows on two walls in all your major rooms . . . but you'll have to deal with the staircase as you age. So don't make this JUST about money.
cricket5050
10 years ago
MrsPete

Thanks for the information on that book. I will have to buy one before we start the building process.

The author is Myron Ferguson and you can buy it on Amazon.
virgilcarter
10 years ago
FWIW, there are a number of folks who comment in this forum who have as much or more expertise than someone who may have written a book.

Just remember that the advice is worth what one pays for, whether it's in a book or on this forum.

Owners still have to do their own due diligence.
mrspete
10 years ago
Yes, that's the book -- when I originally became aware of it, it wasn't available anywhere, but then it popped up on Amazon after some months of searching. If it's available now, I suggest you buy it now.

I agree that many people here have great insight. I've learned ever so much from reading this board, and I'm very glad that I'm reading it well in advance of beginning our building project.

You're dead-right that owners must do their due diligence. What's true in one part of the country, or what's true for another person's needs may or may not be true for you or me . . . and since no one cares about my project as much as I do, it's in my own best interest to put in every bit of effort I can.

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