Building a one story vs two storey house. There are many of you out there thinking about it, and it was also a question that was sent into us for a bit of an answer, or at least some discussion. Well, in today’s BuildHer podcast we talk about the costs and considerations that you might want to think about before you make a decision on it.

WELCOME TO SEASON 3 | EPISODE 17

BUILDING ONE STOREY VS TWO STOREY

THE COSTS & CONSIDERATIONS!

THE QUESTION IS “BUILDING ONE STOREY VS TWO STOREY”?

How much does it cost to build a double-storey house versus a single storey house? This is a question we get asked a lot and as much as we’d love to be able to give a clear cut answer, our reply is usually something to the effect of “how long is a piece of string?”

There are so many factors involved in building up (or down) versus sideways and the cost implications depending on what you want to do and how you’re going to do it. With so many things to consider, we thought it would be a really helpful episode to answer the question with a checklist of considerations when thinking about an extension.

IN THIS EPISODE OF THE BUILDHER PODCAST WITH REBEKA & KRIBASHINI

Rebeka and Kribashini discuss some of the things you need to consider such as site space, how you want the facade to look, the type of existing structure you have and how you want to live in the space. We talk about how many people get stuck when it comes to Council restrictions or other building restraints and that it’s important to weigh up your priorities to determine what’s really going to work best for you.

People like to live in their spaces differently and that’s what makes each home so unique. Whether you build up, down, sideways or a combination of all three, understanding the parameters that you’re working within will give you a much better idea of the cost involved. And then, it’s renovation time!

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK & WHAT ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO LISTEN TO!

It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? But it’s one of those ones where knowing a little bit of information can help you make an informed decision. This topic was sent in to us, and if you’ve got a meaty, or not so meaty building topic you’d like us to discuss, then let us know. Now that we’ve heard a little bit more about it which way are you going? Are you building one storey or two?

Let us know what you think about this one, won’t you? If you’d like to leave us a little review, that would really help us out too… it’s so easy to do in the App where you get your podcasts. Thanks in advance! xx

If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, contact us here.

TOPICS WE COVER IN THIS BUILDHER PODCAST WITH LACHIE GIBSON:

  • [1:30]: Because each build and design is unique, it’s impossible to answer the question of cost differences between single storey and double storey without more information.
  • [2:30]: Consider how you can use the ground space for all your needs without going up and ask yourself if you really need it. This will also depend on your site space.
  • [3:50]: A lot of people don’t realise the sheer amount of work involved in building up: staircase, structure to support the first floor, increase the substructure, clad external wall, roof completed at height.
  • [5:00]: Think about how the second storey extension relates to the ground floor facade. Think about the make good and the flow of the house.
  • [6:00]: Consider the type of structure you have as this will affect your options.
  • [7:00]: Different extension options, how they have varying cost implications and that there may be some restrictions due to council requirements.
  • [8:30]: A lot of people have an idea of what their extension will look like and then discover a bunch of constraints that they have to work within.
  • [8:50]: Think about the view lines. Do you have views you want to capture? Also, think about your neighbours and how much shadow you will cast on their block.
  • [10:40]: Think about how you want to live in the space and the stage of life you’re in.
  • [11:25]: Rebeca’s preference to have a ‘sleeping zone’ upstairs and living zone downstairs and how she placed her laundry upstairs to accommodate for practical living needs.
  • [12:20]: Think about the cooling for upstairs because it will typically be hotter. If at all possible, get two windows in a room to allow airflow through the room to passively cool.
  • [13:20]: Think about all these considerations and give them a weighting. House design is expanding and we all think about things differently.
  • [14:20]: Two stories can also mean that you build down underneath. Understand the parameters that you’re working within and the cost variations.
  • [15:40]: Recap of the checklist of considerations.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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This is such an amazing and supportive FREE community, so come on and join in the building goodness!