I would say it depends on your geography. Going up isn’t always as cheap as you may think. I would suggest talking to a realtor to see what they think about the spend and expected ROI. Realtor may know reputable contractors also.

Accurate.

In my New England state that is a fraction of what we pay. A second floor addition of that size would over 400k.

Wow, how many sq ft & rooms did that get you in your current house?

Trying to understand the different markets.

We have worked with realtor and have an architect as well. All are in agreeance that max of 300 to spend will still keep us in a profitable ROI. 600 would be throwing away money that we can’t get a return on.

Keep shopping for a builder.

Ask the builder for suggestions on design changes that would help reduce the cost. I assumed you have had plans drawn up by a professional so the builder is not just shooting in the dark.

@hallet wow maine is higher than $350 sq ft for second story addition? that is 315k for us to add just second floor doesn’t include any adjustments to first floor to fix configuration which are necessay so why it goes up to 600k. I am geniunely surprised as I feel like everyone would be priced out.

Seems to me that that it is just easier to sell and buy a bigger house. As you know, cost per square foot is so dependent on finishes and how hard the design is to execute, etc. Plus, do you want to live through that (if you can).

Speaking with contractors in my area, prices have gone through the roof. I had a contracor tell me to prepare to spend 1000/ sq foot for an ADU. The ADU would have been built into a hillside, but still he said that is the going rate for new construcition. Needless to say, I’m not building it. That being said, it is worth speaking with other contractors. The most important thing to me would be to find out from the current bidding contractor if there is anything tricky or difficult about your build. In other words maybe building up for your home is not stratight forward and that is driving the price up. Can you build out? Even with restrictions, try to be creative and see what you can do. Sometimes the best designs arise in these circumstances.

Wow 1,000 a sq ft is nuts @rockybird! we have an architect who has several designs built out for us. we also had surveys done too. these contractors we met on our own, we have several more that we will meet thay architect is recommending. we can only build up not allowded to build out. but nothing tricky in our build it is standard ranch.

Its 600-800k here for 1000sf second story. but i’m in bay area. still worth it to a lot of people to so that. especially if they are atarting with low property taxes…so 315 sounds great! 🤣 what is costing 285 on first floor?

second floor was going to have two walls taken down to expand livingroom and kitchen. we are willing to forgo the kitchen as we don’t want to go to 600k. bathroom downs would remain untouched it was never in the plan. and we are

flexible as only live in the house in the summer so empty fall, winter and spring. and we are not in a rush either.

Your want list will easily cost 30%-50% more than you paid for the house. Plus the cost of moving out for a year.

There are too many variables involved in new construction-- and even more in remodeling-- to cost or measure the value of any project on a cost/SF basis. When considering a remodeling project, consider the total investment and whether it makes more sense than purchasing another home which is a better fit for your needs.

I would still ask that contractor about adding a second level. Maybe your ranch cant support a second level and expensive modifications need to be done. Iif the second level is the most important thing to you then I would focus on that and maybe removimg the wall on the lower level. the kitchen and bath remodels could be done later. It is possible you will meet subcontractors during the additin who might be able to help you finish those at a cheaper price.

Yes and 30/50% of what paid just a few years ago would make sense to me as that is 192k to 320k for the addition. those numbers seem fair, this is a second home so no need to relocate thankfully.

Not 30-50% of what you paid, 30-50% 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 than you paid for the house. 30-50% of what you paid is 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 a kitchen redo with structural changes. You paid 640K. 30% more than you paid would be 832K. 50% more than what you paid would be 960K.

A teardown might cost less. But probably not.

I am sorry not sure where that number of 832k is coming from, that is literally robbery! with this addition we are only asking for a bathroom. no other big ticket item. honestly even 600k is too much that we would have to buy another place in order to get the size we want as we would not get back that 600k if we invested it into this house.

"Fair" has nothing to do with the actual cost of a 2nd floor add. Every project is different but you're getting consistent numbers from two builders who are also guessing without plans that likely include some structural redux of the foundation in a few places.

Also, square foot is not a quote, it is a guestimate and a poor metric for figuring out construction costs as without a firm set of specs and knowledge of the home it is exactly what it is, a guess.

You WILL pay more than the home cost. Prices have risen that much. Unfortunately.

New houses in my area of FL are now selling at $600+ per sq.ft. Back in 2019 it would have been half the price. Increases driven by higher prices for raw materials, appliances/fixtures and labor, and higher demand. It all adds up quickly.

Back in 2002 we looked at expanding our first house. After we talked to a few builders and did the math, we sold the house and bought a bigger one. We paid even more for the new house, compared to old house plus remodel cost, but it was in a better neighborhood.

900 sq ft with a second story so a total of 1800 sq ft? the cost is porportinate to the amount of complicated spaces you are building i.e. Bathrooms and Kitchens vs Bedrooms

Lots of cost variables from foundation design to level of finishes etc.

In Newport Beach Ca this would be 500 to 550 a sq ft for builder spec level construction

Good luck

In my experience, you will be better off financially and have much less hassle if you buy another house of the size you need rather than undertake this project. A project like this will not have the same ROI as purchasing something else that already exists. Unless there are other factors to consider about the merits of your existing home or neighborhood, you should stop looking at this as the best economical decision, because it isn't.