How to Add a Second Floor to an Existing House / Adding a Second Story

How to Add a Second Floor to an Existing House / Adding a Second Story

Most homeowners adding a second floor to their house try to keep the remodeling project quiet, "on the down-low" as much as possible from the neighbors. Not on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, though where they create "silhouettes" - they nail a flimsy-looking framework of 2-by-4s to their roof and stretch flags between the board... for months. There is an approval process through the city in cities like Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills. Rolling Hills doesn't allow additions onto single story homes; but they allow silhouettes to show where new single story homes will be. When silhouettes are used, it gives the city and neighbors a chance to give input before the approval is finalized. How is this investigation handled? Who is responsible? All the paperwork will put the burden on you - the buyer or homeowner - to investigate. There will be timing issues too, involving the approval process and getting on a contractor's schedule to do the work. You do have options: if considering a second story to be added later, maybe consider using your budget to buy a larger house with a footprint closer to what you want, rather than risk that the approval process limits the addition later on. Thanks to a client for asking the question! Whether you buy and add on, or buy bigger now, you've got a good problem to have figuring and configuring in a hopefully lovely location. Questions? Call Lisa (951)704-4559 or email lisa@sand2sea.us.