Need advise / knowledge on modifying our two story foyer

OK, we live in Broadlands North, Marsh Creek Dr to be specific. Our house, and just about ever house around us, has a two story foyer. Now while it looks nice, its a horrible waste of a potential 80 sq ft of space. Space that could be used for a reading area, computer desk, or whatever. Even the windows that were installed when it was built open! Why would you do that if no one can get to the window to open it?

So, my question is, what do you think would be involved with trying to turn that into a single story foyer by putting that 2nd story floor in? What would it cost? Would I need town permits / HOA approval? Would it increase / decrease the home's value?

Contractors and real estate people: Please chime in!

Thanks -
Brewer

 

I would be very interested in looking at what can be done with that area. Our house has such a foyer and I hate it.

It may look dramatic when first coming into the house but it makes regulating the temps harder and there is the noise factor. Everything that happens in the TV room is bounced up to the upstairs area.

However, in looking at the design, there does not seen, to my layman's eye, much that can be done with the area. Hence my interest in options.

 

i vaguely recall looking into this when we bought our home- we have a 2 story living room. i will confirm with the man, but i think it was unrealistic because there was nothing to support putting a floor- we'd literally have to rip the house apart and the cost was astronomical...

 

Yes, but thats a whole living room that requires support. The foyer area is small enough not to require any additional load bearing supports. I would think the floor could be built right into the walls.

Contractors???? Where are you???

Brewer

 

More things to research before you consider making the changes.

1. How are you going to access the new room?
2. Heating/AC? Available duct to cut into and add registers?
3. Elec? New circuit?
4. Where does the "floor" of the new room join the house? Same height as the exisiting top level?
5. Rewiring of the exisiting light in the foyer so it is now under the new room.
6. Will adding this room add to the value of your house or detract from it.
7. Is it worth the expense in this market?

I can probablly think of more but right now these are the things that come to mind.

 

We did this to our house last year with our family room. We live in a Spruce with what used to be a two story family room. We hated it. We put a floor on, it was very easy to do. It didn't need any special supports because of the size of the room. It's 14X20. We moved our laundry room into a closet we made in that room, and the rest is a playroom.

We used Moss Construction. They are excellent to work with and do everything in house. They even have there own architect. When we were looking at contractors, they were the most thorough and their price came in right in the middle of everyone. They assign a project manager to you who takes care of everything. I can't say enough great things about them. They do kitchens, bathrooms, additions, outdoor stuff, and more.

Here is there info:

Jason Hampel
Owner
Moss Construction Company
Phone: 703-961-7707
Fax: 703-961-7710
Email: jhampel@mossconstruction.net
Web: www.mossconstruction.net

Call and Jason will come out to talk to you. A great guy. Let me know if I can give you more info.

Lori

P.S.-We love our new room.

 

So, what did something like that cost (ballpark)?