Second Story Additions in the Chicagoland Area

Attic and second-floor build-outs have become an important part of LivCo’s portfolio — not only for the valuable spaces they provide our clients but also for the sensitivity our design process lends to the neighborhood and history of the home. Whether you’re planning a second story addition in Chicago, homeowners often choose to maximize living space or exploring options for a growing family, our team creates solutions that respect the character of your home while meeting your evolving needs. 

Bedroom addition remodeling services

For second-story addition design and construction in Chicago’s western suburbs, trust LivCo. Our team specializes in creating thoughtfully designed second story addition in Chicago projects that increase living space while preserving the character of your home and neighborhood. Call our remodeling team at (708) 267-9262 or contact us online to get started on your second-story addition project today!

Our Approach to Second-Story Additions

A second-floor addition is often a strategic choice when considering home remodeling, especially for homeowners with limited lot space. Preserving outdoor areas for gardening, leisure, or maintaining a comfortable distance from neighbors becomes crucial. Your property might also have unique landscape elements, like an ancient shade tree or a picturesque pergola draped in wisteria, which you’d prefer to retain. Every second story addition in Chicago begins with understanding how your family uses the home today and how your needs may evolve in the future. Our design-build approach focuses on maximizing functionality, maintaining architectural consistency, and creating spaces that feel like they have always been part of the original home. A growing family can benefit from the added privacy a second story provides. It’s not just about adding more rooms; it’s also an opportunity to reimagine the existing space. You can elevate the main floor walls for a more spacious feel and reconfigure the downstairs by combining smaller rooms, especially if they become redundant with the new upstairs addition. In cities like Chicago, with its rich inventory of historic bungalows, it’s essential to approach every second-story addition with sensitivity and precision. At LivCo, every project starts with a site-specific analysis, considering neighboring rooflines, natural light, and historic context. Instead of immediately proposing a complete roof replacement, we focus on optimizing the existing space whenever possible. This approach saves money, respects the home’s original design, reduces waste by keeping the roof out of landfills, and often results in unique and captivating interior spaces.

FAQ

Your Second Story Addition Questions Answered

Before planning a second-story addition, it's crucial to determine if your home's foundation and structure can support the added weight. Many homes aren't initially built to accommodate a second story, so a structural assessment by a qualified engineer or architect is essential. They'll evaluate the foundation, load-bearing walls, and other critical elements to ensure safety and stability. If your home can't support a second story as it is, modifications or reinforcements might be necessary. 

The timeline depends on the scope of the project, permitting requirements, design complexity, and construction needs. Most projects require several months from initial planning through completion. Our team provides a detailed project schedule before construction begins. 

In many cases, homeowners can remain in the home during portions of construction. However, there may be phases where temporary relocation is recommended to ensure safety and allow construction to proceed efficiently. 

A professionally designed second-story addition can significantly increase usable living space and improve resale value. The exact return depends on factors such as location, design, square footage added, and market conditions. 

Our team carefully evaluates rooflines, exterior materials, architectural details, window styles, and interior layouts to ensure the new addition feels like a natural extension of the original home while maintaining design continuity. 

Why Add a Second Story to Your Home?

Adding a second story gives you more functional areas that are fully customizable to fit your needs while preserving outdoor space and boosting property value.

The Benefits of a Second-Story Addition

A second-story addition can benefit you in many ways, including:

  • Maximize your space: Create additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or living areas without moving.
  • Increase your home value: Significantly raise the resale value of your home.
  • Avoid the hassle of moving: Stay in your current location while upgrading your living space.
  • Customization: Tailor the new space to suit your specific needs and style.

Our Second-Story Addition Services

At LivCo, we offer a range of second-story addition services to make the process seamless and stress-free.

Our services include:

  • Permits and regulations: Handling all zoning, permits, and legal requirements for your project.
  • Structural engineering: Ensuring your home can support the additional load with expert structural work.
  • Construction and build: Professional construction services for the safe, timely, and efficient building of your second story.
  • Roofing and exterior work: Matching the new addition with your home’s existing design and roofline.
  • Interior finishes: Customizing the interiors with flooring, paint, lighting, and design features that complement your home.

Our Second-Story Additions Design & Build Process

Our design-and-build process includes three main steps: Concept, Create, and Construct. Our team will work with you to determine the scope of the job, establish a comfortable budget, and move your ideas into our detailed design phase. We’ll then give you a fixed-price cost, create drawings to conceptualize the project, and help you make your selections to prepare for the building phase.

Finally, our team will work to make the construction process as simple for you as possible. We’ll take care of the complicated aspects, so you only need to concern yourself with getting ready to enjoy your new second story.

Choose LivCo as Your

Second-Story Addition Contractor

For second-story addition remodeling services in the Chicago, Illinois, area, trust LivCo. Contact our team to learn more about our home addition remodeling services.