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new for me anyway. We were bidding a job and lost out to a contractor that is adding a second story to part of a house. The area in question is 24×26 and is typical trusses 4/12, ply sheeting and three-tab. Our bid included removing the trusses and then reusing if possible. We lost to a contractor who is going to cut the trusses loose at the plate line. Jack the roof system up into the air and support on poles. Build the second floor, walls and all under it and then lower the roof back down.That would mean the roof is about 16 feet off the ground.
I for one would not want to be under it nor would I put any of my employees under it unless of course aduqately supported, but what if the wind blows. I guess you could jack it up a little. Build a floor system and then jack from there and support it on the floor system untill you had walls up.
His bid itemized his work and he quoted the homeowner 2500 for doing this part of it
this is not sour grapes. I am mostly just curious
I just have not seen this done or ever really considered it. Might be one of those lawn chair days. You know. set up the chairs and watch someone else do it.
Maybe Ive been missing something all these years. Is this common for some of you?
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Seems to me there was an article on this in FHB a few years ago, by a semi-DIY (architect, engineer? sometjing like that.)
If I recall, he prefabbed (some of) the 2nd floor walls and raised them into place right after lifting the roof so that the roof wasn't jacked up too high for too long.
*I think in that article they removed the roof with a crane, lowered it onto the front lawn, put the walls in place, and craned the roof back up.Definitely a lawn chair kind of day!!
*See FHB #72 (March 1992), page 54
*The $2500 might cover the crane rental.
*:-)brian
*Shoot,I'm missing #72.Is this the one where the author had a special jack for the corners?I think he also had a hinge system for changing the pitch of cape cod type roofs. I was very interested in the technology, but I think it was regional. I have done a few jobs like this and have some in the works. Although I didn't have a use for it back then, I do now.Fred, if this is what the article refers to I would love to have a copy of it. Do you have a scanner?Josh, This job could also be done by sistering to the bottom chord and cutting out the waste above, which would save the celings at least and contain the mess. It might not have the savings of the other guys method but you may salvage some mechnicals, and finished surfaces that way.
*I dont have a copy of that article either.Like I mentioned I already lost the job because I was too highbut I am still interested in the ideawhen it does go through, I really do want to be there to see iteducation is always a good thingjosh
*FHB issue 139
*Some guy I know forgot and framed a house with 8' ceilings instead of 9'. Crane came in and lifted the roof off, framed a 1' wall on top of the existing one, then slipped the roof back on. I've got pics somewhere.
*Oops. Heh heh.
*Done that. Had a building with lousy walls but a good roof. To save money(heh, heh) raised the roof, razed the walls, raised new walls, and ended up almost razing the whole thing.I could have cleared off the old building and built a new one for what it cost in Time and money to do the project. Stumbling over this, bracing for that, moving this, etc. That roof or its' supports were constantly in the way, or a safety hazard. Now I didn't crane it off, I supported it in place, so maybe that would have been better?
*I am thinking of doing this to increase our square footage by adding a second story to the house. However I'm considering just raising the roof maybe 2-3 feet and converting the middle third of the attic into living space with a few dormers and the cubby hole storage in the walls.My concern is that this house is about 70 years old and some areas settled, so I'm cautious to add the weight and stress.Does anyone know a good contractor in Atlanta who is skilled in this area? Or should I call a structural engineer? Does the city have engineers who might survey it at no charge? Thanks in advance for your advice.Jon Byrd
*Keith C.'Does the image of a hinge come to mind by adding a 1' wall on top of an 8' wall?