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Need Advice Converting 2-story foyer into 5th bedroom??

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by luftinarr, Mar 8, 2011.

  1. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Looking for someone that who can help us decide if changing our two-story foyer (Parkdale) into a 5th bedroom is a good option for the house (and for future resale value). What I'd like is someone who has knowledge of not *if* it can be done, but *should* it be done. Will it hurt our future resale value? Will it help? Do 2-story foyers really have that much appeal? If anyone knows someone who will come to the house and look at it (for free) that would be great. Contractors have told us it can be done, but I want someone to tell me whether or not it should be done. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    I heard great things about MOSS Building&Design which Lori S used at her house. MOSS will be at the Earth Day event and it could be a good opportunity to talk to them. Also, the Energy Detective company, who did our energy audit, do remodeling work. We were very happy with their level of professionalism and customer service. They will be at the Earth Day event too.

     
  3. Thunderchild

    Thunderchild New Member

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    I have some questions for you, my wife and I were dicsussing adding a 3rd car garage and resizing the 2 bedrooms and adding a full bath. we figured out the cost for the renovations may not be worth it as spending $30,000 dollars or more to make the addition for only 3 or 4 years of use. (Son will be in college in 4 years and #2 in 6) So we decided not to do the addition and to put the money towards our retirement.

    1. Why? Do you need the extra bedroom (kids, in-laws) and is the area you want to convert worth it size wise 10' x 10'(larger/smaller?) if the size compares to some of the other bedrooms then it may make it worth while.

    2.What is your money worth to you? Is spending $15,000 or more going to solve long term issues or will the room no longer serve it's purpose in 5 years.

    3. How much of this work can you do yourself to help offset the costs? I planned on doing everything except the concrete and framing to keep costs down.)

    Now, I don't like 2 story foyers because in my eyes it's wasted space. I have a 2 story vaulted ceiling in my family room that is wasted space, BUT the view from the family room up the starirs to the bedrooms is one of the things we liked which is why we bought this model. I had wasted space under the stairs and in the attic, so I finished those areas for extra storage. The cost for both of these areas about 300 sq. ft. cost me around $300.00.

    If you decide to have the work done, then I suggest you make it appear as though it was there when the house was built. Good luck on your decsion.
     
  4. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    IMHO -
    1) I would get in touch with a local realtor who can answer your question on home value and pull up "Comps"

    2) Rather than a general contractor, I would advise you look into a GC who is also an architect or get in touch with an architect. That way you can address the structural issues, we've used BOWA (out of Middleburg - they also have a Mclean office).

    Bowa Builders, McLean; 703-734-9050
     
  5. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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  6. TeamDonzi

    TeamDonzi ShowMeTheMoney!

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    I've wanted to do that since before this house was built, but by the time I decided, the sales lady told me I was too late. Anyhoo, been kicking myself since 2004. My husband loves the 2 story foyer, I need the 5th bedroom. Somehow a basement bedroom isn't quite as nice.....Go for it! Who can't use extra space??
     
  7. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to consult with a realtor as well.

    Thunder - to answer your questions:

    1) We have a 4 bedroom house with 7 people living in it (plus a small farm, but that's besides the point). My 3 boys (9, 7, 6) all share a room. The girl has her own room (the smallest in the house). The au pair has to have her own room. The basement room isn't finished, but will be sometime soon. The room that would be created would end up being a bit larger than 10x10 (we would take away a very small portion of the already too big master bedroom, flip the bathroom, move the wall to the boys' bedroom so that the new bedroom is larger than the smallest bedroom).

    2) We don't plan on moving for a very, very, very long time. In 5 years we'll need the space still since all the kids will still be in school. We have several years before one leaves the nest.

    3) We can't do a thing of it on our own because we have no idea what to do and we are not able to work on it together. My husband and I work a lot of hours plus he works evenings and weekends at times so it's difficult to find that dedicated time to attempt something like this together (together being the key word).

    We're getting estimates on the reconstruction of the upstairs to see if it's worth our while. Regardless, though, we need the extra space somewhere!
     
  8. Thunderchild

    Thunderchild New Member

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    Luftinarr,
    I understand where you are coming from. I grew up in a 3 bedroom house with 9 people.

    Good luck with the contractors.
     
  9. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Lufti - you forgot one:

    4) Odds are I will be pregnant a few more times in the near future. :bang: :devil2:
     
  10. Steve Campot

    Steve Campot Broadlands Real Estate Broker

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    I would be happy to take a look at it and give you my recommendation on resale value. There is never any charge for these consultation for my neighbors.

    Steve Campot
    Real Estate Broker
    www.sgcrealestate.com
    703-399-5109
     
  11. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    @ T8 - no lovin' for the Easter bunny this year! There will be no more children in this house!!!

    @ Steve - we would really appreciate it if you would be able to give us your professional opinion. We truly appreciate that. I will PM you for more information.
     
  12. LSeidmeyer

    LSeidmeyer New Member

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    I am the one that made the two story family room into a seperate room upstairs. I changed my username.

    Anyways, 3 years after the fact, we still love what we did. I'm so happy that I got rid of the 2 story family room. We use the upstairs room all the time and I love having my laundry room upstairs. We used Moss Building & Construction. They are really great people.

    I would be happy to discuss my experiences with Moss or just in doing a project like this. Pm me if you'd like.
     

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