Renovation/remodeling plans (ranch to colonial)?

MrsPhilDunphy

I know this is both random and specific and I might turn to the national boards for help. I'm trying to get some ideas about how one could go about remodeling a ranch style house in to a two story or colonial. Googling is not turning up much. HGTV and BGH have not been particularly helpful either.

 I'm interested in either before & after photos or house plans. Any ideas?

Hey Jellisy

The short answer is to talk to an architectural firm that specializes in additions.  They can show you their portfolio of work.

Another thought, and this might not be helpful, is to do a drive through of some older neighborhoods that have a lot of ranches (perhaps your own) and make note of the ones that have additions that you like.  Then you have two choices, ring the doorbell and say I love how your addition looks and ask who was their architect (don't laugh, I did this when on a walk, the guy was doing yard work and I mentioned how much I loved their addition to their split level and he took me on a tour and gave me the architects name and number.  They had done it a decade before).   Or the less brazen way is to call the city planning office and ask who was the architect on record when they filed for their permit.  It's public information.  

MrsPhilDunphy

Actually, what prompted my curiousity is that it's a growing trend in my dad's neighborhood (gorgeous lots in a nice location but the original houses are dinky). I'd be a little more nosey and ask, except we are very much in the curiosity phase and no where near ready to actually do it. This is just something we might consider if we found a house in a great location that didn't quite suit our needs. No plans for our current house.

belizeitornot

A lot of houses in my neighborhood have had this done. Most of them are 1950's single level homes (with a basement) and teeny. I'd say 99% of them wind up having a second story put on (or finishing attic space and bumping out the dormers and back to make a 2nd floor master bedroom) but some actually have torn down and totally rebuilt.

Someone across the street from us did the second option about 2 years ago, and it took about 6 months from start to finish. I think the best route is to just contact a couple of architecture firms (I know Case Design pops in my head but I'm sure they're not the cheapest) and explore options/costs.

BirdGirl01

I've seen this done in our neighborhood too, sometimes well, sometimes not.  Just a word of forewarning, going up almost always costs a lot more than going out.