Hi All

I am wanting to add a second level onto our 5 year old single level house and I am finding it difficult to get any quoting done. Has anyone used a builder that will do this sort of addition in Korat(Nakhon Ratchasima) rather than build a complete house from scratch. We are in Wang Mi district. Thank you all in advance.

I'm no builder, but I'd assume it'd be cheaper to build a new house!!! If it's a timber house it would be possible. If it's a concrete house I would guess you'd have to completely knock down the first floor to build your second floor.

Unless your build your second floor out of would on the existing concrete floor, that might work!

i have not seen anybody do what you want,extensions ok.but buiding a second floor i wouldnt take a chance on recomending a builder.

Moved to local forum for localised knowledge.

You also need to consider the engineering aspects.....ie is the foundation and pilars strong enough to support a second floor?

According to my wife (her family is in the house construction business), it is possible to build a second floor, but it is costly. I did not get the entire gist of what process is employed to get the task done, but it does start out with removing the roof of the existing structure, and then attaching the new vertical pillars to the existing ones. The pillars have steel rebar, which is "tied" to the rebar in the new pillars.

You also need to consider the engineering aspects.....ie is the foundation and pilars strong enough to support a second floor?

Would need to see the original plans, as you say, the columns etc were probably for a single storey and wont support the weight.

Never mind the problems with plumbing and electrics, which are surmountable.

Space permitting you might be best to build a second floor on stilts (car space under ,maybe?) and have an adjoining stairway from the "older" building. That way you know you will have the correct foundations and loading for the structure.

Thank you all for your input. I now have a company coming out tomorrow with an engineer to assess, and obviously we have alot more to discuss to make certain we choose the best option. Cheers all.

Space permitting you might be best to build a second floor on stilts (car space under ,maybe?) and have an adjoining stairway from the "older" building. That way you know you will have the correct foundations and loading for the structure.

much more safer and cheaper to build a granny flat.