Your requirements can change when your family expands and you may find that you don’t have sufficient space for everything. Maybe you will need an additional bedroom, bathroom or you may be looking for some additional space for an office or gym. And while expanding your house is one of the solutions you can consider, you need to know whether it can be done practically.
There are many factors to be considered when it comes to second storey extensions Melbourne. One of the most important factors to check is whether your current structure can support a new storey. This has to be conducted by a qualified structural engineer. They will inspect the foundation of the house and the walls to understand the load bearing capacity of the existing structure. They will let you know whether this structure can support the weight of an extra floor. There are instances when this will not be possible. However, it is not the end of the road for you. You can do modifications to the house so that an extra storey can be supported. There will have to be some reinforcement done to the existing structure to improve its load bearing capacity. However, if you need to do modifications, you will have to consider the cost and time taken.
You should also read about the regulations that pertain to the height,
Overall design and setbacks of structures built in your local area. These will be specified in the local building codes. You can also o through zoning regulations. You need to be very sure that adding a second storey complies with the rules and regulations of your municipality. In addition to this, there may be guidelines or restrictions put forward by the neighbourhood association which can have an impact on your renovation. You can consult with a builder that is familiar with your local area so that they can give you a clear picture of the project and how it can be done. The building regulations can be quite complicated but an experienced builder will be able to guide you through the process properly.
Sometimes you may have sufficient ceiling height to build a comfortable second storey.
The standard height tends to be 8 or 9 feet but some homes tend to have double height volumes. If you are considering the minimum, it has to be at least 7.5 feet (you will also need to check building codes) for it to be comfortable. You also have to consider the plumbing and electrical systems. You will need to extend these to the new structure. Sometimes the current capacity of your electrical panel and plumbing infrastructure may not be sufficient to cover more space. And this will require an update to the systems. But you have to consult with a licensed plumber and electrician to understand the big picture. The feasibility of the project has to be considered with all of these aspects along with new finishes, doors and windows etc.
