Extending your home makes good sense. After all, moving home is expensive. Who wants the unwanted expenses such as stamp duty, selling fees and the inevitable renovations required at your new home?
We understand. You’ve outgrown the space you’re, your house looks tired, or perhaps you just need a change. But sometimes moving is not possible or even preferable. You love the street where you live, there are school or work considerations, or maybe it makes perfect economic sense to stay put.
Adding a second storey to your home is a brilliant way of creating extra space for the whole family to enjoy. You’ll be adding value to your treasured investment while not taking up any precious yard space best used for patios, pool or garden. Second-story additions will add so much more enjoyment to your life, not to mention the delights the views may bring
A successful two storey extension project, when completed correctly, can add terrific value to your home and provide years of living pleasure. However, the average home renovation or home extension project is a lot more complicated than most people realise and contains risks that may not be obvious at first glance.
You probably already have a firm idea of what you require from your new extension. However, the best approach to fulfilling these needs may be less apparent. Each solution has its own advantages and drawbacks.
The design of any extension should be considered as an integral part of your existing home’s structure. This means it should seamlessly blend in, making use of the same materials to maintain continuity. If you are considering a second storey addition be aware that this is significantly more expensive and complicated from a construction point of view. Building designers are able to provide you with detailed plans that include a breakdown of the materials to be utilised and an idea of the overall costing
The layout of your home extension must always consider your family member’s individual lifestyles. Every floorplan we design is unique and complements the needs and wants of your family.
The addition of a second story can create a huge amount of space. By placing bedrooms and amenities on the second floor, ground floor rooms become available for conversion to alternative use. This option is ideal for smaller house plots allowing you to retain the full extent of your garden. It may also give access to previously hidden views, enhancing both the appeal and value of your home. Second story additions are not always feasible as some buildings were not built to withstand the additional weight. Our engineering consultant will advise you of the viability of your project and can engineer reinforcement and underpinning where required.
The design staff at Dawes Design will take you through all the available options to compare how alternative design implementations will work in your home.
Designing your residential extension requires the integration of the old with the new on both the aesthetic and functional levels. At Dawes Design we don’t view extensions as mere ‘add-ons’ to your existing house, but take the opportunity to review all aspects of your home’s design. Our extensions function as an integral part of your new house layout.
Our design team select all building materials to match or complement the original, creating a seamless transition both internally and externally. The architectural style of your new extension is carefully crafted to complement and enhance your existing home, maintaining its overall character. Alternatively you may decide to radically remodel the appearance of your home, adding a modern exterior or period features. Dawes Design has vast experience designing in a wide range of styles and materials and can create design solutions to satisfy your individual needs.
Benefits of a second-storey addition:
– Add value to your property
– Create more space for your growing family
– Keep valuable ground floor space for patio, pool and garden areas
– Increase your living area (for those on a small block) when there’s no extra ground floor to use
– Access great views (that add great value)
