I am planning to add a second story onto a simple gabled-roof ranch. I would like to raise the lower story ceiling height at the same time. What is the best way to acheive this?
In older homes like these, the main remodeling goal is often a more welcoming, more social, and more functional kitchen.
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Replies
Foundation
First you have to confirm that your existing foundation can support a 2nd story.
If it can't then you have to underpin it or use a similar approach to beef it up.
Out here in CA, I'd be leery of using an old existing foundation anyways, as depending upon the date poured it probably does not contain rebar.
You have to get an engineer / architect and submit plans to your local building authority.
Seriously, you'd probably be better off jacking up the current structure and putting a first floor under it.