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Raising a Roofline in Your Home? Here’s What to Know

By August 31, 2020Uncategorized
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If you have a dream of clerestory windows in your bedroom or wish for a vaulted ceiling in your living room, you may be on the path to raising your home’s roofline. While this is not a small project, the increased enjoyment of additional space and light in your home may make it well worth the effort. 

Before you continue, however, it’s important to determine whether raising a roofline is feasible for your home, the potential costs, how long your remodel will take, and whether it’s worth your investment. Read on to determine how close your dream home may be.

Can I Raise the Roofline in My Home?

To answer this question, you need to figure out what kind of roof you have. Roofs are generally divided into two categories:

  • Stick. Common in older homes, stick-built roof structures usually cannot be lifted. If you want to raise your home’s roofline, your current roof will need to be demolished and rebuilt.
  • Truss. A truss-framed roof may be lifted from the home and reinstalled onto the extended walls. 

While it’s possible to raise the roofline with a stick roof, it’s more common for homes with a truss structure to undergo this type of remodeling since it is less complex.

Next, you’ll want to consider if the area where you would like to raise the roofline has other issues or obstructions—chimneys, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, and plumbing could all potentially complicate your plans. Another consideration is whether raising the roofline would impact the pitch of your roof and if that could have structural consequences.

Consulting with a home renovation professional or general contractor in Austin is the best way to find out if you can raise your roofline. Because of the complexity of this project, you will want an experienced contractor who can help you plan your remodel project as well as pull all the necessary building permits.

How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Roofline?

The cost of a project that raises a roofline can vary widely. To get an idea of what your home renovation in Austin, TX, could cost, consider the following factors:

  • Square footage of the area being remodeled
  • Roof complexity (gables, hips, pitch, etc.) 
  • HVAC updates
  • Electrical rewiring
  • Plumbing shifts
  • Will the roof be lifted or demolished and rebuilt?
  • The necessity of structural supports due to raising in the roofline
  • Professional costs (engineer, architect, contractor, etc.)
  • Permit fees

As this list shows, there are many potential costs that can add up and make raising a roofline an expensive project. It’s also important to note that remodeling projects often have unexpected costs. The older your home is, the more likely it is that your project could have additional expenses and delays. Working with a knowledgeable remodeling contractor will help you reduce the likelihood of unexpected issues.

How Long Does It Take to Raise a Roofline?

An average timeline to raise a roofline is about four to six weeks. However, each job is unique, and the timeline will depend on the scope of the project, the square footage of the area being expanded, the complexity of the impacted area (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.) and exterior/interior finishes. 

Factors like weather and the size of your contractor’s crew could also play into how long your remodel takes. Your contractor will be able to provide you with the type of timeline that a roofline job like yours typically follows. 

Will Raising My Roofline Provide a Strong Return on Investment?

Trends currently favor houses with high ceilings and spacious rooms, but that’s not a guarantee that your home value will increase due to your investment. However, before you jump to the future sale of your home, also consider how the costs to raise your roofline will increase your present enjoyment of your home. If your home renovation project allows you to continue to live happily in your current home, it saves you the costs of moving.

Whatever you decide, Mangum Builders is happy to work by your side. If you want to compare the investment for a home renovation with costs to build an Austin custom home, we can help you weigh your options.

As home remodeling professionals and custom home builders in Austin, TX, we make it our job to bring your dreams to life. Contact us today to start planning your project.