Second Story Addition in Los Angeles Mar Vista
Nowhere to Build but Up, So We Built Up This second story addition in Los Angeles nearly doubled a Mar Vista home without giving up an inch of yard. We added a full upper floor with new bedrooms and opened the main level into a bright, flowing living room and kitchen. The finished home feels twice the size, and the lot stayed exactly as big as it was. Our room addition team built it.
What the Finished Home Shows
Light and flow, top to bottom. Downstairs opens into a big living room with sliding glass doors to a deck and an open kitchen anchored by a grey island with bar seating. A staircase leads to the new upper floor, where a spacious bedroom sits under big windows with light wood floors underfoot. The whole home reads bright and current, and you would never guess the upstairs was not always there. That seamless result is the point of a second story done right.
Why Build Up Instead of Out
On a tight LA lot, going up is often the only way to add real space, and it keeps your yard, your setbacks, and your footprint intact. A second story can nearly double a home's living area and transform how it functions. It is a big structural job, which is exactly why the engineering and the tie-in have to be right. We approach it with the same rigor as our interior remodeling.
How We Run Your Addition
A second story addition in Los Angeles needs one crew who owns the whole build. We start with a free consultation to understand your goals and set a budget. Then design, engineering, permits, structural work, framing, and finishes, all in one hand. Adding a floor means reinforcing what is below it, and that is exactly why one accountable team matters.
More of Our Work
We build up and out. For a vaulted living room addition, see this living room addition in Tarzana. For a full interior transformation, take a look at our interior remodel in Calabasas.
Second Story Addition in Los Angeles: Common Questions
How much does a second story addition cost in Los Angeles?
It is one of the larger projects a home can take on, since it involves engineering and reinforcing the floor below. We give you an itemized number at your free consultation.
Can any house support a second story?
Many can with the right structural work, but it depends on the existing foundation and framing. We bring in engineering early to tell you what your home can carry.
Do I need a permit for a second story addition?
Always, and it is a significant review since it is structural. We handle the drawings, engineering, submittals, and inspections from start to finish.
Do I have to move out during the build?
Sometimes, especially when the roof is opened up. We plan the sequence to minimize disruption and tell you honestly what to expect for your project.
How long does a second story addition take?
It is a longer build than most projects, with engineering and permits up front. We give you a realistic schedule and keep you posted at each phase.
Will the addition match the existing home?
Yes. We design the new floor to fit the home's style so it reads as original, inside and out. A seamless result is the whole goal.
Does a second story addition add resale value?
Nearly doubling the living area while keeping the lot is one of the strongest value moves in a dense market like LA. Buyers pay for space and light.
How do I know I am hiring the right builder?
Licensed, insured, local, and able to show you finished second stories and the engineering behind them. Ask to see a completed one. We welcome it.
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