Expert Tips for Building the Third Floor on Your House!

People often want to extend their house because of their needs. Some want to build another floor for their children, and some want more space for their work.

When you don’t have enough square feet around your house for more rooms, you may think, “Can I build a third floor on my house?” Yes, you can.

Building another floor on your existing building might cost you much. Also, there are several things you should consider before heading to build the third floor of your existing house—things like zoning restrictions, structure, height, mechanical system of the building, etc. 

In this article, I will cover each part of the many facts about building a third floor in your house. Pay your kind attention to the article and make yourself acquainted with that matter. 

Can I Build a Third Floor on My House?

Over time, people need more space to live comfortably. This is why they want to include more rooms for several purposes in their house.

You might also want several rooms but don’t have many square feet around your house to add more rooms. What do you do now?

You can build a third floor on your house because that will give you more space, and you don’t have to cut off your garden for room purposes. Building the third floor depends on some facts you can’t deny. 

When you want to build a third floor in your house, you must consider some facts I mentioned below. 

1. Stable Foundation of The House 

You can build a third floor on your existing house if the foundation of your house is stable.

By the “stable” word, I mean that if the existing house structure is strong enough, like its pillars, walls, and footings, you can add a new floor to your house. 

Because the walls, pillars, and foundation are the roots of the house, if they can provide enough support to the new floor or it has enough capacity to hold on another floor, then you are good to go with another floor. 

2. Proper Cooling and Heating System

Suppose your existing house furnace system does not sound like it can’t properly heat your rooms in winter or cannot cool down your house in summer. How can it cover your third floor?

Before building the third floor in your house, you must ensure the cooling and heating system because if your current system cannot control house temperature according to the weather, you shouldn’t go for a new floor. 

Before building the third floor, you must be assured about your house’s cooling and heating system capacity. 

3. Zoning Laws and Regulations

When your interrogation is done about your house’s mechanical and foundation stability, you have to search for zoning laws and regulations. 

The zoning laws and regulations are different in each state. The geographic location determines whether you can build a third floor on your existing house or not. By building the third floor of your house, if it exceeds the maximum height of zoning laws, then the committee of adjustment of your city will allow it.

You can’t take steps like building another floor on your house without notifying the Adjustment Committee.

You must first apply to the Committee of Adjustment of your city; when they approve your application, you can build a third floor on your existing house. 

How Much Does It Cost to Add a 3rd Floor to a House?

If you want to build a third floor for your house, the cost will be high enough. Several things increase the pricing per square meter when you build the third floor of your house.

The cost is not fixed because it depends on several facts like:

• The height of the building.
• Geographical location.
• Hotel expenses.
• Design of the third floor.
• Additional rooms on the third floor. 
• Replacement of heating system or set new HVAC system.
• Rebuild all the electrical connections.
• Labour Cost.
• Separate preparation and equipment for the earthquake zone.

Considering all the mentioned facts, the average cost of the third floor is mostly between $150 to $300 per square foot. But the prices may exceed $500 per square foot depending on the better equipment for the third floor. 

Hotel expenses are another thing you should keep in mind. If you want to know if staying in a hotel is cheaper or not, then contact the nearest hotel management about the cost. 

What Is the Benefit of Building the Third Floor in My House?

If you are confused about buildup or build, let me help you figure out the best for you. We are discussing the third-floor addition, but why would you spend so much to build the third floor? What can it give you?

I’ve already mentioned the cost and other considerable things to building a third floor in your house. So, now I’m on to the benefits or advantages you can get by building the third floor.

• Having the third floor means you are staying in a pretty high place, giving you a fantastic view from your window site. 
• You can get enough sunlight and wind in a higher place.
• A third floor will give you some extra space for your children. You can give them separate rooms.
• The benefit of having the third floor is that you can set up your gym or sports room there.
• Building the third floor also preserves your garden space, and you can get extra space by building up.
• For the per yard, you have to pay taxes, but by building up, you don’t have to pay for your extra space as your third floor doesn’t occupy an extra yard.
• You can keep the same floor plan on the first two floors while renovating the third.
• If you live beside lakes or jungles, then the third floor is pretty safe for you because it’s a little hard for bugs to reach so high. 

To have these benefits, people loved to live in top places. For these mentioned reasons, top-floor apartments are more expensive than lower-floor apartments. 

What Do You Put On the Third Floor of a House?

You need more space, but you can’t decide yet what to put on your third floor. Your third floor will give you extra space, so you should plan for it.

Suppose your third floor is about 600 square feet, and you can’t organize that place properly. In that case, your weak decision about the organization will be a total waste of your money to build the third floor. That’s why you must decide what to put on your new floor before building the third floor.

• You can put dual master suites on their floor. Having master suites on the first or second floor, you may be disturbed by the noises. But when you place your master suites on the third floor, you can enjoy beautiful views from your windows.
• The Storage room is always placed in the basement, but if there is a chance of mold on the old furniture. So on your new floor, you can put a storage room.
• For study or personal purposes, you can put a room on the third floor where you can also set up your library. 
• Exercising while enjoying the outside is the best combination. So you can put an exercise room beside the window on your third floor.
• You can make a playroom for your kids there. When kids play, they make so much of a mess, and by playing on the third floor, there is no chance for outsiders to see the mess. 
• You can put a guest room on your third floor.
• To those who share their homes with furry companions like pets, they can put their pet’s room on the third floor. By putting a pet’s room on the third floor, you will not get their body smell ( not everyone likes a pet’s smell). 

It is actually up to you which way you prefer to decorate your house or what you want to put on your third floor. Here I give you a suggestion to help you as without having any idea what you can put on the third floor, you might decline to build the third floor on your house. 

The Ending Statements

You might be confused and decide on the matter, “Can I build a third floor on my house?” Yes, you can. As long as you consider the facts:

• If your house foundation is stable enough to give support to another floor. 
• If the heating system is enough to cover your third floor.
• If your third-floor application passes the Zoning laws.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Can I build the third floor in my UK house?

A third-floor addition to a residence is considered permitted development (i.e., does not necessitate planning permission). Suppose the zoning conditions are met, and the Local Adjustment Authority gives permission. In that case, you can build the third floor in your UK house. 

2. Is it possible to add another floor to a house?

Yes, it’s possible. There are numerous options for extending a home without significantly enlarging its footprint. 

Adding a second story can increase the height of a one- or two-story home. Adding square footage to a home with a pitched roof is possible by installing large dormers on the roof.

3. Is it cheaper to build up or out?

It is always more cost-effective to add square footage by building up rather than out because it requires fewer resources and fewer people to complete. 

If you have 1,500 square feet on the ground floor and want to add the same square feet as a second floor, you only need to add more wood and framing labor for it. 

4. How do you know if you can build a second floor?

To know more about building a second-floor, contact the local building department about the zoning rules that apply to your area. Limits on a home’s total square footage or height, for instance, could ensure that no one’s view is obstructed.

5. How long does adding a floor to a house take?

The length of time it takes can vary depending on several variables, such as the complexity of the design, the amount of groundwork required, the timing of bad weather, the accessibility of necessary materials, the speed with which permits are issued, and the number and scope of any necessary changes. 

On the other hand, a complete second-story addition usually takes anywhere from six to twelve months.

6. Is it worth it to put an addition on the house?

A home addition is excellent if you want to add square footage to your home without spending too much money. 

It not only adds worth, comfort, and practicality to your home but also lets you express your individuality. 

7. Do I need planning permission to build an extension?

The quick answer is “no,” as long as the extension is within the scope of permitted development. 

When it comes to the front of a house, the side of a road, or the property line, most restrictions that aren’t covered by permitted development are placed.