Cost to convert cape to ranch

[SeventhHell]

Excavation and forming basements is not that expensive. Get the plans drawn up and get bids. You want to go cheap. So you want to hire subs and not a contractor. I did exactly this for under 100k a couple years ago. And that included a very basic finish of the interior. No plumbing or electrical.

[isles08]

Call the 2nd floor of your cape an attic and you have a ranch for no cost.

Sorry that ads no value to the discussion.

[Punkster55]

Originally Posted by SeventhHell

Excavation and forming basements is not that expensive. Get the plans drawn up and get bids. You want to go cheap. So you want to hire subs and not a contractor. I did exactly this for under 100k a couple years ago. And that included a very basic finish of the interior. No plumbing or electrical.

Another option would be to convert a 11x35 attached garage into living space, but then Id need to build a seperate attached garage in the back of the yard. hmm

[SeventhHell]

You just need to figure out your budget. Oh and zoning. Is your lot even large enough to expand its footprint.

[Punkster55]

Originally Posted by SeventhHell

You just need to figure out your budget. Oh and zoning. Is your lot even large enough to expand its footprint.

Well, redoing garage would be cheaper. Dont have to dig out basement, just we have to bolt everything down so there is no fluctuation in height from the soil expanding/contracting.

I just wonder how to ask the town to close off the garage. I certainly dont want anyone doing the work. Most people that do good contractor work either charge a lot or just do things for themselves. Finding a affordable good worker could have been possible years before NY smacked all of the working class out to midwest.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Originally Posted by Punkster55

Another option would be to convert a 11x35 attached garage into living space, but then Id need to build a seperate attached garage in the back of the yard. hmm

That's certainly where I'd focus my attention, if it is doable. I'd keep the "plumbing" rooms inside the existing house, and make the garage into a multi-purpose, bedroom, living room, etc.. Personally, for a space like that, I'd put a "through the wall" HVAC unit in (Mitsubishi has a good selection of those), and not mess with the original house utilities. That way, you have a backup should your existing unit go out in the winter, or have the ability to keep the space temp. low in the winter to save money if you have to. If the ceiling height is too low in the existing garage, you could always convert to a scissors truss arrangement to gain headroom, and it will make for a more pleasant environment - plus give you room to insulate and build up a false floor over the concrete. There wouldn't be much you couldn't do yourself if you are fairly handy and make it a learning project. Building a new garage is definitely simpler than excavating for a basement, and can be done for much less per square foot than a home addition. As others have said, building "up" (turning your cape into a colonial) is probably done far more often than expanding sideways. Photos would be helpful to see what you have currently.

Watch out for those hurricanes - are you in an inundation zone?