You might be considering raising the roof to get a higher ceiling that appears very beautiful. Especially if you have an old-style house with flat and low ceilings, you can change the design and architecture slightly.
From personal experience, raising the roof can significantly change the aesthetic appeal of a home and create additional living space. In one project, a client with a low-ceilinged, older home saw a substantial increase in property value and interior comfort after raising their roof, enhancing the house’s overall marketability.
However, before you do it, there are a few questions that you might want to ask first.
Raising the Roof on a House: Is It Possible?
A professional architect shared that while raising the roof can be a complex project, it can provide numerous benefits, such as increasing the height of ceilings, adding a second floor, or creating a vaulted ceiling.
However, it’s essential first to determine the type of roof structure—whether a stick or truss roof—as this will significantly impact the project’s complexity and cost.
The type of roof significantly affects the feasibility and cost of raising it. For instance, a trussed roof is generally easier and less expensive to raise because it can be lifted in whole sections without dismantling the entire frame. In contrast, a stick roof requires dismantling and rebuilding, making it more complex and costly.
Read also: Peel and Stick Roof Underlayment
Benefits That You Will Get from Higher Roof
- Interior feels larger without having to expand your house
- Increase the capacity of your house with higher shelving or attic
- You can add a floor to increase your house’s sq ft
- Add new architectural elements with skylights or exposed beams
- Can adjust the roof pitch to make it more beautiful and more functional
Things You Need To Consider Before Raising Your Roof
- Ductwork, HVAC system, plumbing, and electrical wires
It is important to know if all of those things are running through your ceiling or not since it will highly affect the cost, time, and complexity of the project. You might need to disable or re-route them before reconstructing every system after your roof is raised. This means you will get additional costs on top of the cost that you need to raise the roof.
- Structural issue
From first-hand architectural planning experience, I believe some homes are better candidates for roof-raising projects. Homes with simple gable roofs or ranch-style homes are generally easier to modify than Victorian or Cape Cod styles.
Assessing whether your home’s structure can support the new load is crucial. In some cases, adding a second floor or raising the ceiling requires significant structural reinforcement.
Furthermore, if you have chimneys, they will have their issue since you need to alter or move them. You might spend an additional $500-$6,000 and more if any structural damage needs to be repaired.
- Building permit
Remember that you must first require a permit before doing the project. You should go to the residential department in your area and ask about all the requirements needed to get the permit. Sometimes, your contractor may also help you to get the permit if necessary.
The Average Cost That You Need to Spend to Raise the Roof
The average cost typically goes from $15,000 to $20,000 to raise the roof of your house. Your location may also affect the cost as labor costs will differ from one area to another.
Remember that the cost might increase if there are issues like what we mentioned above. Furthermore, the size of your house, the materials, and other refinishing touch will also increase the cost. Here is a detailed breakdown of potential costs you might consider:
| Cost Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Architectural Design | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Building Permits | $500 – $1,500 |
| Contractor Labor | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Materials (Lumber, Roof) | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Interior Finishing | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $22,500 – $61,500 |
Conclusion: As you can see, it is possible to raise your house’s roof based on the roof type you have. Remember to consider the cost of raising the roof and other additional costs that might follow it.
