Author Topic: DIY raise the roof?  (Read 5048 times)

opnfld

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DIY raise the roof?
« on: October 13, 2015, 01:19:45 PM »
I've done a fair amount of DIY home improvement (drywall, plumbing, electrical, finish carpentry) and used to help my dad and grandfather frame walls as a kid.  But never anything like this...

DW and I are considering buying this house.  The ceiling in the back half of the 2nd floor drops to ~6.5 ft and lower.  I'd like to raise the roof to match the front half of the house and add a bathroom upstairs.  DIY or is that crazy?

If it makes a difference, I'll FIRE in Spring 2016 and work on this exclusively.


index

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2015, 02:04:46 PM »
I would hire out the framing and roofing (you could do the roofing yourself, but if its a small area it might be worth it to contract it out). Act as your own GC. Once you have the shell finished you can do all the interior finishing yourself.

paddedhat

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2015, 04:19:16 PM »
I'm with index on this one. I have done a lot of framing, but without a competent crew, I wouldn't touch it. This calls for an experienced crew that can get in, get it done, and move on, in a few days. Several framers I deal with tackle a project like this occasionally. It needs to be done with an eye on the weather and, enough reliable help to get the thing finished, and under tap-paper ASAP. That said, I know of two occasions where contractors got caught in freak storms, and paid a heavy price in damaged sheetrock and buckled hardwood floors.  Good luck, I looks to be an interesting project.

opnfld

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2015, 12:59:07 PM »
Thanks.  I appreciate the advice.

opnfld

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2015, 01:39:31 PM »
The obvious next question...what should I expect something like this to cost?

paddedhat

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2015, 02:05:39 PM »
WAY too many variables to give you any answer of value. When it comes to everything from permits, materials, labor rates, etc...They are all highly regional and fluid costs. A year or two ago, framers in this are were working for pathetically low rates. As the volume of work picks up, and the herd has been culled by the recession, they are now getting a hell of a lot more. The only answer that matters is the one you find for yourself, and it might not even apply to a similar job twenty miles away.

opnfld

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2015, 02:17:26 PM »
Given the variables, do you think the project could exceed $25K?  Significantly?  Much more than that would be a deal breaker.

I'll do my own research, but a ballpark would help determine if I should spend the time or pass on this idea altogether.  I'm in the Pacific Northwest, if it helps.

Thanks again.  I really appreciate your insight.

Fishindude

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2015, 02:22:51 PM »
I could see $75,000 in that project real easy.

Papa bear

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2015, 02:30:05 PM »
What?!? 75k??  It's a 2nd floor addition basically (tear off and redo).  Framing that out and getting under dry maybe $40/sf paid to get done.  Finish the inside yourself.  It doesn't look like that big of an area.

DIY if you have friends that can help and have framing knowledge.  Otherwise you'll need to find a carpenter or 2 to help out. 


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Fishindude

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2015, 02:49:05 PM »
The area circled is two levels of roof, on top of one level of roof that I assume he wants raised up to the level of the home behind it?
Hard to really understand the scope of work based on one pic and a brief paragraph or two, but that isn't an easy project.   You have; demolition, temporary weather protection, complete re-frame, HVAC, electrical, interior finishes, roofing, siding, insulation, soffit, gutters, etc.   
And .... you need to make it all blend in so it doesn't look like an addition which may mean re-roofing and painting or siding the balance of the home?

Best idea would be to call a reputable remodeling contractor and tell him don't put too much time or effort in it, but give you a ballpark budget price.
If the ballpark number doesn't knock you off your feet, move ahead with design and firm pricing.

lthenderson

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2015, 03:43:58 PM »
I would say this is out of the league of most DIY unless you have a handful of people all of who are knowledgeable on projects like this. There are lots of things that have to come together to get this done in a fairly tight time frame for weather and quite a bit of tools needed.

As for cost of having it framed by someone else and doing the interior work yourself, it depends greatly on location and availability. I know in my neck of the woods, I would expect around $10k (for about 150 sqft) for the framing and roof for a project like that assuming there weren't any complications. $75k would darn near get me half a house built.

opnfld

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Re: DIY raise the roof?
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2015, 03:45:30 PM »
The area circled is two levels of roof, on top of one level of roof that I assume he wants raised up to the level of the home behind it?
Yep
You have; demolition, temporary weather protection, complete re-frame, HVAC, electrical, interior finishes, roofing, siding, insulation, soffit, gutters, etc.   
And .... you need to make it all blend in so it doesn't look like an addition which may mean re-roofing and painting or siding the balance of the home?
I'll do the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, interior finish, siding, insulation, and painting.  Just looking for a ballpark on demolition, re-frame, and getting it under cover.  I might even do the re-roof, but it's awfully high.

Best idea would be to call a reputable remodeling contractor and tell him don't put too much time or effort in it, but give you a ballpark budget price.
If the ballpark number doesn't knock you off your feet, move ahead with design and firm pricing.
Guess I should do the same with a framer.  Gotta figure out the permitting requirements as well.  Will this need a structural engineer stamp?  I imagine that depends on the local permitting rules...

The house is currently occupied by renters and 90 miles away so everything takes that much more coordination.

Thanks for the discussion.  It's a great forum.

Framing that out and getting under dry maybe $40/sf paid to get done.  Finish the inside yourself.  It doesn't look like that big of an area.
I think it's about 500 sq ft.  I like your numbers.