When the lot has no room to build out, the way to add space is up. Sun Shore Construction builds second-story additions across Greater Boston — full second floors on ranch houses, partial additions over one wing, and new rooms over an existing garage. Plans are drawn by a licensed architect or designer (you are welcome to bring your own); we build to those plans and handle the permitting. Licensed and fully insured; proof available on request.

Common second-story projects

• Second story on a ranch house — the classic way to turn a one-level home into a two-level home with bedrooms upstairs.
• Partial second story — adding a master suite or two bedrooms over part of the house instead of the whole footprint.
• Second story over a garage — new living space on top of an existing attached garage.

Three questions we ask first

1. When was the house built? Older foundations and framing may need reinforcing before they can carry a new floor.
2. What goes upstairs? Bedrooms only, or bathrooms and a master suite too — that decides plumbing and the size of the new floor.
3. Can you stay in the house during the work? Part of the roof comes off, so you may need to stay elsewhere for part of the project. We talk this through on the site visit.

Will my town allow it? Zoning comes first

Before anything is drawn, we check the rules that decide what you can build on your lot: setbacks from your property lines, lot coverage, and height limits. If a design does not fit the zoning rules as written, some towns allow it with a special permit or variance from the town’s zoning board. That adds steps, so we tell you early.

Height limits matter most for a second story; we check them before your architect starts drawing.

Permits and inspections — we handle them

An addition needs a building permit, and the work is inspected at each stage. We pull the building permit and coordinate inspections with your town. Electrical and plumbing permits are pulled by the licensed electricians and plumbers we hire for your project — and because we manage the whole job, every permit is our responsibility, not yours.

What affects the cost of a second-story addition?

Every house is different, so we never quote a price sight-unseen. The main factors: how much of the footprint gets a second floor, whether the foundation and first-floor framing need reinforcing, the number of bathrooms upstairs, the new stair, heating and cooling for the new floor, and matching the roofline and siding to the rest of the house. After a site visit we give you a free written estimate, itemized so you can see what is included.

FAQ

Can my ranch house support a second floor?

It depends on the foundation and framing. That is a structural question answered by your design team before construction starts, not a guess.

Is a second story better than building out?

If your lot is tight or setbacks leave no room, going up is usually the only option. If you have room, building out can be simpler. We look at both on the site visit.

Do you handle the permits?

Yes — see “Permits and inspections” above.

Serving Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Brookline, Dedham, Westwood, Dover, and nearby communities. Call (857) 858-2600 or request a free estimate. 中文服务 / Bilingual team.