Relocate second story?

Question

Is it even feasible to remove our second story and attach it to to back of our first floor? We are aging and the steps are becoming a problem.

Answer 1

I guess that theoretically, it's possible. But doing that is many times more expensive than demolishing the second floor and building an addition. And by demolishing and rebuilding, you don't add any square footage (=value) to the house.

Financially, and everything else being equal (same square footage, same layout except now in the ground for, etc.) it'll always be better to sell and move to another house that's already like you want it.

So like others have mentioned, consider other alternatives, like a stair lift, making an addition (without removing the second floor), or moving to a single-story house.

Answer 2

You have other answers that expressed the downside of trying to move the second story. I agree it does not make any sense.

A possible option is to have a "stair lift" installed on the staircase. This is less cost than an addition and could be removed with minimal scars to the stairs when the house is ready to be sold. OR! If you are in a neighborhood of mature buyers, the stair lift could be an additional asset.

Answer 3

Not likely.

Sell and purchase a smaller place at ground level.

Or, make the second storey a separate dwelling and rent it out.