As a complete construction layperson, I have been wondering what additional costs would arise if only the ground floor is built initially and the upper floor is added later.
The situation is as follows: A couple wants to build a house but is unsure whether they want children or if having children will even be possible. The idea is therefore to fully plan the house including the upper floor (structural engineering, plumbing, etc.) but to build only the ground floor with a flat roof at first. If it becomes clear that they will have children, the house would be extended by one story.
As a layperson, I imagine that the flat roof would later be removed and leveled to create the floor slab for the upper story. Accordingly, the staircase opening must be planned from the start. I see challenges mainly with adapting the heating system—it would likely be undersized and would need to be replaced. Plumbing and other conduits could already be installed in advance since the layout for both the ground floor and upstairs is planned.
Is it really as simple as the layperson imagines? Roughly speaking, what additional costs can be expected compared to building the upper floor right away?
The situation is as follows: A couple wants to build a house but is unsure whether they want children or if having children will even be possible. The idea is therefore to fully plan the house including the upper floor (structural engineering, plumbing, etc.) but to build only the ground floor with a flat roof at first. If it becomes clear that they will have children, the house would be extended by one story.
As a layperson, I imagine that the flat roof would later be removed and leveled to create the floor slab for the upper story. Accordingly, the staircase opening must be planned from the start. I see challenges mainly with adapting the heating system—it would likely be undersized and would need to be replaced. Plumbing and other conduits could already be installed in advance since the layout for both the ground floor and upstairs is planned.
Is it really as simple as the layperson imagines? Roughly speaking, what additional costs can be expected compared to building the upper floor right away?
Our house, for example, is basically designed with bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor, while only half of the upper floor living space is developed. This way, you can move in downstairs and finish the upper floor later.
(Sloped) shed roofs work particularly well for this, but also gable roofs with a very low knee wall, resulting in less usable living space.
You could build a guest shower and toilet upstairs, and then gradually finish the rest step by step 🙂
(Sloped) shed roofs work particularly well for this, but also gable roofs with a very low knee wall, resulting in less usable living space.
You could build a guest shower and toilet upstairs, and then gradually finish the rest step by step 🙂
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