Is it worth it to add a second story?

For many homeowners, building up is worth the expense because it provides the extra bedrooms or living areas that can’t be accommodated within the existing footprint. A larger, updated home often commands a higher resale price, recouping a sizable share of the project cost while allowing you to stay in the neighborhood you love. Run the numbers with a real estate agent and contractor to ensure the expected return and day-to-day benefits align with your goals.

Is it better to build up or out?

Whether it makes more sense to build up or out depends on your lot, budget, and local code. Building up preserves yard space and involves less foundation work, but you may need to vacate the home during construction. Building out avoids staircases and can proceed while you stay put; however, it encroaches on the yard and may face setback limits. Compare both options with your contractor before making a decision.

How can my home’s foundation be reinforced to support a second story?

A structural engineer will first inspect the existing foundation for cracks, footings, and load capacity. Depending on the findings, the crew may pour new concrete footings, install steel or concrete piers, add reinforced beams, or tie additional rebar into the slab. These upgrades redistribute the weight of the new floor and bring the structure up to code. Your contractor will outline the specific reinforcement plan and timeline once the engineering report is complete.

Top-Rated Second Story Addition Building Services Experts in Houston, TX

Seek Design & Renovation

3120 Southwest Fwy

4.66(

155

)

•Approved Pro

Seek Design & Renovation

3120 Southwest Fwy

4.66(

155

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 90% of Angi customers

Recommended by 90% of HomeAdvisor customers

463 local quotes requested

Seek Design & Renovation is an award-winning remodeling company known for delivering beautifully crafted, design-driven home transformations. With over 45 years of combined experience in construction, architecture, and interiors, our dedicated team brings both creativity and precision to every project. Our in-house team includes a seasoned custom home builder and a professional designer, allowing us to manage every detail—from vision and planning to construction and finish—with seamless coordination and exceptional care. Whether updating a kitchen, reimagining a bathroom, or undertaking a full-home renovation, we approach each project with a commitment to excellence and a deep respect for your home. We offer complimentary, itemized estimates, are fully insured for your protection, and provide a one-year warranty on all work. Our reputation is built on craftsmanship, transparency, and trust—reflected in our five-star rating with the Better Business Bureau, multiple Angi Super Service Awards, and recognition as a Best of Houzz recipient. At Seek Design & Renovation, we don’t just remodel spaces—we thoughtfully reimagine them to reflect the way you want to live.

"We had a water heater leak that flooded my daughter's bedroom. Seek Design was prompt, professional, and did an absolutely wonderful job. The work was top-notch and done quite quickly. I would absolutely hire again. - Vincent S. (Spring TX)"

Vincent E S on January 2025

Seek Design & Renovation is an award-winning remodeling company known for delivering beautifully crafted, design-driven home transformations. With over 45 years of combined experience in construction, architecture, and interiors, our dedicated team brings both creativity and precision to every project. Our in-house team includes a seasoned custom home builder and a professional designer, allowing us to manage every detail—from vision and planning to construction and finish—with seamless coordination and exceptional care. Whether updating a kitchen, reimagining a bathroom, or undertaking a full-home renovation, we approach each project with a commitment to excellence and a deep respect for your home. We offer complimentary, itemized estimates, are fully insured for your protection, and provide a one-year warranty on all work. Our reputation is built on craftsmanship, transparency, and trust—reflected in our five-star rating with the Better Business Bureau, multiple Angi Super Service Awards, and recognition as a Best of Houzz recipient. At Seek Design & Renovation, we don’t just remodel spaces—we thoughtfully reimagine them to reflect the way you want to live.

"We had a water heater leak that flooded my daughter's bedroom. Seek Design was prompt, professional, and did an absolutely wonderful job. The work was top-notch and done quite quickly. I would absolutely hire again. - Vincent S. (Spring TX)"

Vincent E S on January 2025

Robinco

New on HomeAdvisorNew on HomeAdvisor

•Approved Pro

Robinco

New on HomeAdvisorNew on HomeAdvisor

•Approved Pro

23 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

At ROBINCO we offer a better Job in affordable cost, we do General remolding, painting , flooring renewing or repairing, fence repairing , bathroom repairing and remolding we serve Houston area & surrounding.

OnCall Home Services

12593 Research Blvd

4.35(

710

)

•Approved Pro

OnCall Home Services

12593 Research Blvd

4.35(

710

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Super punctual

835 local quotes requested

27 years of experience

With over 20 years of experience servicing the Austin area, we strive to provide a wide array of high quality, affordable services. We offer home repair, remodeling, make-readies, custom interior and exterior paint, and many other services. Currently, we have five employees, and use professional and licensed subcontractors. ***We offer free estimates, price matching, flexible payment and financing available as well as.*** Call us today for your home repair and remodeling needs! **$500 minimum for labor on Service Calls**

"They did a great job at replacing my roof. Quality of work was great. They also did a great job of cleaning up after."

Brandon H on September 2025

With over 20 years of experience servicing the Austin area, we strive to provide a wide array of high quality, affordable services. We offer home repair, remodeling, make-readies, custom interior and exterior paint, and many other services. Currently, we have five employees, and use professional and licensed subcontractors. ***We offer free estimates, price matching, flexible payment and financing available as well as.*** Call us today for your home repair and remodeling needs! **$500 minimum for labor on Service Calls**

"They did a great job at replacing my roof. Quality of work was great. They also did a great job of cleaning up after."

Brandon H on September 2025

Homes Reimagined USA

6002 W. 34th St. Unit Q

5.00(

1

)

•Approved Pro

Homes Reimagined USA

6002 W. 34th St. Unit Q

5.00(

1

)

•Approved Pro

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers

171 local quotes requested

Homes Reimagined USA is a locally owned company founded by a native Houstonian. We take pride in quality workmanship combined with excellent customer service. Our experienced team of professionals take the time to ensure that each job is completed with customer satisfaction in mind. We strive to treat your home with the care and concern we would our own.

"Homes Reimagined just completed a kitchen remodel for me, and I couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, Forrest and Allen were a pleasure to work with. They were professional, skilled, and communicative throughout the entire project. The team at Homes Reimagined took my outdated kitchen and transformed it into a spacious, modern space that is now the centerpiece of my home. They listened to my ideas and incorporated them into the design, while also offering their own suggestions and expertise to make the final result even better than I could have imagined. Forrest and Allen were always on time, kept the job site clean, and made sure to keep me informed about the progress of the project. They worked efficiently and were always willing to answer any questions I had along the way. The attention to detail in their work is great, from the custom cabinetry to the beautiful countertops. The finished product is not only visually stunning, but also highly functional and practical for my family's needs. I highly recommend Homes Reimagined and the team of Forrest and Allen for any remodeling projects."

Damien O on April 2023

Homes Reimagined USA is a locally owned company founded by a native Houstonian. We take pride in quality workmanship combined with excellent customer service. Our experienced team of professionals take the time to ensure that each job is completed with customer satisfaction in mind. We strive to treat your home with the care and concern we would our own.

"Homes Reimagined just completed a kitchen remodel for me, and I couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, Forrest and Allen were a pleasure to work with. They were professional, skilled, and communicative throughout the entire project. The team at Homes Reimagined took my outdated kitchen and transformed it into a spacious, modern space that is now the centerpiece of my home. They listened to my ideas and incorporated them into the design, while also offering their own suggestions and expertise to make the final result even better than I could have imagined. Forrest and Allen were always on time, kept the job site clean, and made sure to keep me informed about the progress of the project. They worked efficiently and were always willing to answer any questions I had along the way. The attention to detail in their work is great, from the custom cabinetry to the beautiful countertops. The finished product is not only visually stunning, but also highly functional and practical for my family's needs. I highly recommend Homes Reimagined and the team of Forrest and Allen for any remodeling projects."

Damien O on April 2023

All Star Construction Inc

13110 T C Jester Blvd

4.08(

85

)

•Approved Pro

All Star Construction Inc

13110 T C Jester Blvd

4.08(

85

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

797 local quotes requested

45 years of experience

All Star Construction Inc is a third generation family owned business which has performed home improvements in the greater Houston area since 1979. We have been an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau since 1982. All Star is a residential design, build contractor. Not only are we a Houston remodeler, we also service Kingwood, Spring, Pearland, Sugarland, Katy and other surrounding areas. Over the years, All Star Construction, Inc. has earned an unequaled reputation and completed thousands of jobs. Our goal is to make you happy, while building solid, attractive projects for a fair price. We work honestly, ethically and take extra care to satisfy our customers. No anxiety needed! All Star delivers what it promises and stands behind it's warranties. We belong to several trade associations and subscribe to the codes of ethics and business practices of all of them.

"Excellent work, Excellent Customer Service, Excellent attention to minimize the inconvenience of the construction work, Daily visits by PM, prompt response to questions and concerns, finished product was everything that we had planned and paid for. 10 STARS!!"

Keith A on December 2022

All Star Construction Inc is a third generation family owned business which has performed home improvements in the greater Houston area since 1979. We have been an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau since 1982. All Star is a residential design, build contractor. Not only are we a Houston remodeler, we also service Kingwood, Spring, Pearland, Sugarland, Katy and other surrounding areas. Over the years, All Star Construction, Inc. has earned an unequaled reputation and completed thousands of jobs. Our goal is to make you happy, while building solid, attractive projects for a fair price. We work honestly, ethically and take extra care to satisfy our customers. No anxiety needed! All Star delivers what it promises and stands behind it's warranties. We belong to several trade associations and subscribe to the codes of ethics and business practices of all of them.

"Excellent work, Excellent Customer Service, Excellent attention to minimize the inconvenience of the construction work, Daily visits by PM, prompt response to questions and concerns, finished product was everything that we had planned and paid for. 10 STARS!!"

Keith A on December 2022

Custom Remodeling

2323 Commonwealth Street

4.92(

26

)

•Approved Pro

Custom Remodeling

2323 Commonwealth Street

4.92(

26

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quick response

659 local quotes requested

11 years of experience

Custom Remodeling is your go-to home renovation expert, specializing in high-quality remodeling solutions tailored to your unique style and needs. Whether you’re upgrading a kitchen, transforming a bathroom, finishing a basement, or remodeling your entire home, we deliver craftsmanship you can trust and results you’ll love. At Custom Remodeling, we take pride in clear communication, reliable timelines, and a customer-first approach that ensures your vision becomes reality—on time and within budget.

"Great job!!! It was done in a timely manner and the attention to detail was excellent!"

Ed C on September 2025

Custom Remodeling is your go-to home renovation expert, specializing in high-quality remodeling solutions tailored to your unique style and needs. Whether you’re upgrading a kitchen, transforming a bathroom, finishing a basement, or remodeling your entire home, we deliver craftsmanship you can trust and results you’ll love. At Custom Remodeling, we take pride in clear communication, reliable timelines, and a customer-first approach that ensures your vision becomes reality—on time and within budget.

"Great job!!! It was done in a timely manner and the attention to detail was excellent!"

Ed C on September 2025

Expo Home Improvement

New on HomeAdvisorNew on HomeAdvisor

•Approved Pro

Expo Home Improvement

New on HomeAdvisorNew on HomeAdvisor

•Approved Pro

734 local quotes requested

19 years of experience

Imagine loving every corner of your home. From a kitchen that feels fresh again, to a bathroom that finally works for your family, to windows that keep you comfortable through every Texas season. At Expo Home Improvement, we make remodeling feel simple and rewarding. Our team brings care, craftsmanship, and clear communication to every project, because how we show up matters just as much as what we build. Whether you're in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or East Texas, we’re just around the corner and ready to help you love where you live. M-39963

S-N-S Remodeling

1211 Dunstan Rd

4.23(

96

)

•Approved Pro

S-N-S Remodeling

1211 Dunstan Rd

4.23(

96

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

472 local quotes requested

43 years of experience

S-N-S Remodeling provides quality home remodeling work specializing in Kitchen and bathrooms as well as Hurricane Relief and has a Flood Insurance Specialist. We provide a wide variety of services including water damage, remodeling, and home repair. Subs, Charges Determined By Job, No Travel Charges. Method of payment usually: 1/3 down, 1/3 during project and 1/3 upon completion. Electrical, Plumbing & Air HVAC With Remodeling. Free Estimates.

"An with SNL was great to work with Arrived on time and got the job done easily. I would recommend SNL for anyone needing a good contract."

Frank S on February 2025

S-N-S Remodeling provides quality home remodeling work specializing in Kitchen and bathrooms as well as Hurricane Relief and has a Flood Insurance Specialist. We provide a wide variety of services including water damage, remodeling, and home repair. Subs, Charges Determined By Job, No Travel Charges. Method of payment usually: 1/3 down, 1/3 during project and 1/3 upon completion. Electrical, Plumbing & Air HVAC With Remodeling. Free Estimates.

"An with SNL was great to work with Arrived on time and got the job done easily. I would recommend SNL for anyone needing a good contract."

Frank S on February 2025

PAR Construction

205 South Iowa Avenue

4.58(

146

)

•Approved Pro

PAR Construction

205 South Iowa Avenue

4.58(

146

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: True professional

660 local quotes requested

24 years of experience

www.PARCONTX.com Welcome to P.A.R. Construction! We are the leading Construction Company serving the Greater Houston Area and beyond. Our experienced team of contractors are skilled in all aspects of Construction, offering unparalleled quality and attention to detail. With over 20 years of experience, P.A.R. Construction provides top-notch services in residential Construction, including Insurance Claims At P.A.R. Construction, our customers are our top priority. Whether you're looking for an room addition to your home or an entire home renovation, we have the expertise to make your project a success. Our team of professionals will work closely with you throughout the entire project to ensure that your project is completed to your exact specifications. We specialize in seamless integration, kitchen & bathroom remodeling, additions, High-end remodeling, storm restoration and home services, making us the complete package for all your Construction needs. With competitive rates and a commitment to customer service, P.A.R. Construction is the perfect choice for all your Construction needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help make your project a reality. P.A.R. Construction Office- 281.755.9741

"PAR Construction is the gold standard in my view, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. To quickly summarize - I hired PAR construction, and you should too! PAR Construction transformed a confusing and inefficient floor layout in our 100-year-old house into a beautiful space that makes sense for our family. They completed the project on a reasonable timeline, despite a week of no electricity (thanks, Beryl), and the usual surprises that come into play when renovating an old house. We could not be more pleased with PAR Construction and highly recommend them to anyone looking for high-end renovation/construction work! Now, for more details: We hired PAR Construction to remodel our upstairs bedrooms/closets to provide a room for our three young kids. We interviewed a number of construction companies and ultimately hired PAR Construction because of their demonstrated track record of quality and communication. They delivered in every way, and then some! As soon as we put the initial deposit down, Adam and team submitted the plans for permitting approval, which can take some time. We were provided regular updates throughout the permitting process and Adam and team responded quickly to any follow-up requests from the folks at the permitting authorities. As soon as we got the all clear from permitting, Adam and his team (shout out to my guys Gabriel, Raph and Felix – miss y’all!) sprang into action and began work right away. They came and worked every weekday, and regularly on Saturdays as needed. They were kind, courteous and diligent in carrying out the project. It can certainly be awkward to have a group of seemingly random people in your house on a daily basis, but the PAR Construction team did a great job minimizing disruption and were mindful of keeping our home as orderly as possible. It got to the point that I looked forward to chatting with the team every morning before work and catching up at the end of the day. We had a great experience with each member of the PAR Construction team and I am confident in saying it doesn’t get any better than them! PAR Construction is not cheap, but the cost is excellent value for their top notch work. Like any construction project, there were some additional costs that came up as the project carried on (i.e., moving some 100 year old cast iron pipes that we didn’t know existed in order to make room for a new beam, etc.), but any potential added costs were communicated on a timely basis and we were given the option to accept or decline the updated work/cost. The original bid/scope of the project was meticulously laid out and PAR Construction stayed true to the cost of the original plans. As noted above, the perils of Hurricane Beryl tried to interrupt the progress on our home, but the PAR Construction team didn’t let that stop them. Even though we were without electricity for over a week, the team showed up every day and continued working to keep the project on schedule. In addition, we had a leak develop in a downstairs side room during the hurricane, and the PAR Construction team helped address the leak and replace/repair the components of the ceiling as needed. I am very thankful we had Adam and team to help address the issue promptly, before it turned into a bigger issue! Sure, you might find other companies that will give you cheaper bids for your project, but I am confident that PAR Construction will blow them out of the water in terms of quality of work and value for your money! Adam is an honest and genuinely kind person, and those qualities were extremely important to me in deciding to hire his team for work on our family home. My family and I are very pleased with the outcome of our project and look forward to hiring PAR Construction for additional work in the future."

Dan H on August 2024

www.PARCONTX.com Welcome to P.A.R. Construction! We are the leading Construction Company serving the Greater Houston Area and beyond. Our experienced team of contractors are skilled in all aspects of Construction, offering unparalleled quality and attention to detail. With over 20 years of experience, P.A.R. Construction provides top-notch services in residential Construction, including Insurance Claims At P.A.R. Construction, our customers are our top priority. Whether you're looking for an room addition to your home or an entire home renovation, we have the expertise to make your project a success. Our team of professionals will work closely with you throughout the entire project to ensure that your project is completed to your exact specifications. We specialize in seamless integration, kitchen & bathroom remodeling, additions, High-end remodeling, storm restoration and home services, making us the complete package for all your Construction needs. With competitive rates and a commitment to customer service, P.A.R. Construction is the perfect choice for all your Construction needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help make your project a reality. P.A.R. Construction Office- 281.755.9741

"PAR Construction is the gold standard in my view, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. To quickly summarize - I hired PAR construction, and you should too! PAR Construction transformed a confusing and inefficient floor layout in our 100-year-old house into a beautiful space that makes sense for our family. They completed the project on a reasonable timeline, despite a week of no electricity (thanks, Beryl), and the usual surprises that come into play when renovating an old house. We could not be more pleased with PAR Construction and highly recommend them to anyone looking for high-end renovation/construction work! Now, for more details: We hired PAR Construction to remodel our upstairs bedrooms/closets to provide a room for our three young kids. We interviewed a number of construction companies and ultimately hired PAR Construction because of their demonstrated track record of quality and communication. They delivered in every way, and then some! As soon as we put the initial deposit down, Adam and team submitted the plans for permitting approval, which can take some time. We were provided regular updates throughout the permitting process and Adam and team responded quickly to any follow-up requests from the folks at the permitting authorities. As soon as we got the all clear from permitting, Adam and his team (shout out to my guys Gabriel, Raph and Felix – miss y’all!) sprang into action and began work right away. They came and worked every weekday, and regularly on Saturdays as needed. They were kind, courteous and diligent in carrying out the project. It can certainly be awkward to have a group of seemingly random people in your house on a daily basis, but the PAR Construction team did a great job minimizing disruption and were mindful of keeping our home as orderly as possible. It got to the point that I looked forward to chatting with the team every morning before work and catching up at the end of the day. We had a great experience with each member of the PAR Construction team and I am confident in saying it doesn’t get any better than them! PAR Construction is not cheap, but the cost is excellent value for their top notch work. Like any construction project, there were some additional costs that came up as the project carried on (i.e., moving some 100 year old cast iron pipes that we didn’t know existed in order to make room for a new beam, etc.), but any potential added costs were communicated on a timely basis and we were given the option to accept or decline the updated work/cost. The original bid/scope of the project was meticulously laid out and PAR Construction stayed true to the cost of the original plans. As noted above, the perils of Hurricane Beryl tried to interrupt the progress on our home, but the PAR Construction team didn’t let that stop them. Even though we were without electricity for over a week, the team showed up every day and continued working to keep the project on schedule. In addition, we had a leak develop in a downstairs side room during the hurricane, and the PAR Construction team helped address the leak and replace/repair the components of the ceiling as needed. I am very thankful we had Adam and team to help address the issue promptly, before it turned into a bigger issue! Sure, you might find other companies that will give you cheaper bids for your project, but I am confident that PAR Construction will blow them out of the water in terms of quality of work and value for your money! Adam is an honest and genuinely kind person, and those qualities were extremely important to me in deciding to hire his team for work on our family home. My family and I are very pleased with the outcome of our project and look forward to hiring PAR Construction for additional work in the future."

Dan H on August 2024

Exterior Effect Design and Construction

13602 Ralph Culver Rd

3.67(

3

)

•Approved Pro

Exterior Effect Design and Construction

13602 Ralph Culver Rd

3.67(

3

)

•Approved Pro

1693 local quotes requested

9 years of experience

Creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces that enhance the natural beauty of your home or business, with over 20 years of experience our team will work with you to create a custom rendering, a crucial part of the design process because they help bridge the gap between imagination and reality providing a visual reference that ensures we are aligned with your vision and allows us to deliver a final result that exceeds your expectations.

"The contractors contacted me once to ask what i needed. I told them I needed 2 sprinkler heads replaced, and never heard back from them."

Stephen L on April 2025

Creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces that enhance the natural beauty of your home or business, with over 20 years of experience our team will work with you to create a custom rendering, a crucial part of the design process because they help bridge the gap between imagination and reality providing a visual reference that ensures we are aligned with your vision and allows us to deliver a final result that exceeds your expectations.

"The contractors contacted me once to ask what i needed. I told them I needed 2 sprinkler heads replaced, and never heard back from them."

Stephen L on April 2025

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The Houston, TX homeowners’ guide to second story addition building services

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Matching on HomeAdvisor

Second story addition builders in Houston

Seek Design & Renovation

Seek Design & Renovation

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Robinco

OnCall Home Services

OnCall Home Services

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Homes Reimagined USA

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