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Second-Story Additions

Double your living space without giving up your yard — engineered second-story additions by a licensed contractor (Lic. #1092628) serving Southern California.

Licensed (Lic. #1092628), bonded, and insured for major structural work.

We engineer the existing foundation and framing to carry a full second floor.

Careful sequencing and temporary roofing keep your home protected during the build.

Second-Story Additions in Los Angeles

On a tight Los Angeles lot, once setbacks and lot coverage have taken their share, the only direction left is up. A second-story addition can nearly double your living space while keeping your yard, your address, and your neighbourhood. It is also serious structural work: the existing foundation and walls have to be evaluated and almost always reinforced to carry a new floor. Hollywood Contractor Corp is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1092628) building second-story additions across Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and the San Fernando Valley. We engineer it properly, sequence the build to get weather-tight quickly, and detail it to current California seismic code. Part of our new construction services.

Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp

Why Build Up Instead of Out

When lot coverage, setbacks, or yard space limit a ground-floor addition, going vertical is often the only real option.

  • You’ve hit setback or lot-coverage limits
  • You want to keep your yard and outdoor space
  • You need bedrooms and baths, not more living room
  • Ground-floor expansion would block light or access
  • Adding a primary suite with a view
  • Adding value without moving neighborhoods

What a Second Story Requires

Adding a floor means the structure below has to carry it. This is where most of the engineering happens.

  • Foundation evaluation and possible reinforcement
  • Structural engineering for the new floor and roof
  • Shear walls and seismic bracing to current code
  • Upgraded electrical panel and HVAC capacity
  • New stairwell location and framing
  • Full permit set and city plan check
Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp
Completed adu and jadu construction work at Hollywood Contractor Corp

How We Build Your Second Story

We plan the sequence carefully so your home stays protected and the schedule stays predictable.

  • Structural assessment — can the existing home carry it?
  • Engineering & plans — foundation, shear, and framing design
  • Permits — submittal and city corrections handled
  • Reinforcement — strengthen foundation and walls first
  • Framing & dry-in — get weather-tight quickly
  • Systems & finishes — complete the new floor

Vertical Additions We Build

Not every upward addition is a full second floor. We build the scope that fits your home and budget.

  • Full second-story addition — a complete new floor.
  • Partial second story — add over part of the footprint.
  • Primary suite addition — bedroom, bath, and closet.
  • Attic conversion — use the volume you already have.
  • Roof raise — gain headroom and usable space.
  • Combined up & out — second story plus a bump-out.

Our Second-Story Addition Process

Building a floor on top of an occupied home takes sequencing discipline. Here is how we manage it.

1

Structural Assessment

We evaluate the foundation and framing to confirm what reinforcement is needed.

2

Engineering & Permits

Plans and calculations are drawn, submitted, and cleared through plan check.

3

Reinforce & Frame

We strengthen below, then frame the new floor and get the structure weather-tight.

4

Finish & Final

Systems, insulation, drywall, and finishes — then final inspection and walkthrough.

Why Homeowners Choose Hollywood Contractor Corp

A second story is structural surgery on your home. You want a licensed contractor who engineers it properly and protects the house while it’s open.

  • Licensed, bonded & insured (Lic. #1092628)
  • Structural engineering coordinated in-house
  • Foundation reinforced before we build up
  • Careful sequencing to stay weather-tight
  • We handle permits and plan check
  • Local crews who know LA seismic codes
  • Hundreds of completed LA-area projects
  • Workmanship warranty on every build

How Much Does a Second-Story Addition Cost?

Second-story additions in Los Angeles typically run $300 to $500+ per square foot — higher than a ground-floor addition because of what has to happen below.

Scope of work Typical LA range What it covers
Partial second story $250,000 – $450,000 Adding over part of the existing footprint.
Full second story $400,000 – $800,000+ A complete new floor across the whole footprint.
Foundation reinforcement $25,000 – $80,000 Strengthening footings and walls to carry the added load.
Structural engineering $8,000 – $25,000 Calculations, shear design, and seismic detailing.
New stairwell $15,000 – $40,000 Framing, finishing, and the floor space it consumes below.
Systems upgrade $15,000 – $45,000 Panel capacity, HVAC, and plumbing extended to the new floor.

The reinforcement below is the item that most surprises homeowners. You are not simply building a new floor — you are upgrading the existing house to carry it, and that work is invisible in the finished result.

Build Up or Build Out?

On a constrained Los Angeles lot this is usually decided for you by setbacks and lot coverage.

Build up

  • You have reached setback or lot-coverage limits
  • You want to keep the yard
  • Adding bedrooms and bathrooms
  • You want views from the upper floor
  • The lot is small relative to the house

Build out

  • Yard space is available and expendable
  • Lower cost per square foot
  • Single-storey living is a priority
  • You want to avoid a stairwell
  • Foundation reinforcement would be extensive

Building out is generally cheaper per square foot — it avoids reinforcement and a stairwell.

Vertical Addition Options Compared

Not every upward addition is a full second storey. Smaller interventions are often the better value.

Option Best for Expected life Relative cost
Full second storey Maximum added space 50+ years $$$
Partial second storey Balancing budget and space 50+ years $$
Attic conversion Using volume you already have 50+ years $
Roof raise Headroom in an existing attic 50+ years $$
Up and out combined Space plus ground-floor flow 50+ years $$$

If your roof structure allows it, an attic conversion delivers usable space at a fraction of the cost of a new floor. It is always worth checking before defaulting to a full second storey.

What to Expect During the Project

Expect 6 to 12 months on site, plus 4 to 8 months beforehand for design, engineering, and plan check.

Stage Typical timing What happens
Structural assessment 2–4 weeks Foundation and framing evaluated to determine what reinforcement is needed.
Design & engineering 2–4 months Plans, structural calculations, shear design, and seismic detailing.
Permitting 2–6 months Full plan check — always required for a second storey.
Reinforcement 3–6 weeks Foundation and wall strengthening completed before anything is built above.
Framing & dry-in 4–8 weeks Roof removed, new floor framed, and the structure made weather-tight quickly.
Systems & finishes 3–5 months Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, and finishes.

You will need to move out for part of this — when the existing roof comes off, the home is exposed and unsafe to occupy. We sequence to keep that window as short as possible and tell you up front how long it will be.

How to Choose a Contractor

Second-story addition work is largely invisible once it is finished, which is exactly why standards vary so widely. A few things reliably separate a proper job from an expensive patch.

Good signs

  • An active CSLB licence you can verify online
  • A written, itemised, fixed-price scope
  • They explain the cause, not just the fix
  • Realistic timelines rather than optimistic ones
  • A workmanship warranty in writing
  • A structural assessment before any price is quoted
  • Foundation reinforcement included in the scope

Warning signs

  • A quote given without a proper site visit
  • Pressure to sign today for a discount
  • Large cash deposits up front
  • The same solution proposed for every home
  • Vague allowances instead of fixed pricing
  • A quote with no structural engineering allowance

Hollywood Contractor Corp holds CSLB licence #1092628 — verify it, and any contractor you are considering, with the California State License Board.


Second-Story Addition FAQs

How much does a second-story addition cost in Los Angeles?

Second-story additions in the LA area typically run from about $300 to $500+ per square foot. The range is wide because so much depends on what reinforcement the existing foundation and walls need, how complex the roof and stair layout are, and your level of finish. We assess the structure first so the budget is based on reality, not a guess.

Can my house support a second story?

Many can, but almost all need some reinforcement. We evaluate the foundation, framing, and soil conditions, and a structural engineer determines what upgrades are required — often footing reinforcement, new shear walls, and strengthened bearing points. We tell you what’s needed before you commit.

How long does a second-story addition take?

Most projects take about 6 to 12 months from permit to completion, plus several months beforehand for design, engineering, and plan check. Getting weather-tight happens relatively early; finishes take the longest.

Do I have to move out during construction?

Usually yes, at least for part of the project. When the existing roof comes off and the new floor is framed, the home is exposed and unsafe to occupy. We sequence the work to minimize that window and tell you up front how long it will be.

Is it cheaper to build up or build out?

Building out is often cheaper per square foot because it avoids reinforcing the existing structure and adding a stairwell. But building out consumes yard space and is frequently limited by setbacks and lot coverage. On constrained LA lots, building up is often the only way to get the space you need.

Will a second story add value to my home?

Generally yes — especially when it adds bedrooms and bathrooms, which drive value most in the LA market. Well-executed second stories typically recover a strong share of their cost and make the home far more livable in the meantime.

Do you handle the engineering and permits?

Yes. We coordinate the structural engineer and architect, prepare the permit set, submit it, and work through city corrections. Second-story additions always require a full plan check.

What about earthquakes?

Adding weight up high makes seismic detailing critical. Your plans will include shear walls, hold-downs, and connections engineered to current California seismic code — which often leaves the house stronger overall than it was before.

What Our Customers Say

Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what LA-area homeowners say about working with Hollywood Contractor Corp.

Thinking About Adding a Second Story?

Let’s find out what your home can carry. Free consultation and a straight assessment of what a second story would take — structurally and financially.

Call (818) 264-1955




Second-Story Additions Across Los Angeles County

Local crews, local permit knowledge. These communities have a dedicated page covering the work we do there.

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