I have a 1895 house that has a two-story addition from the 1930s, which was constructed very poorly. The wiring, plumbing, the foundation—pretty much everything is a mess. We're now considering whether we can remove this addition, even though it extends to the roof. While I expect some answers will suggest consulting a structural engineer, I'm curious if this is really doable and if it's something we could handle without huge costs like fixing the foundation, which already faces a price tag of $100,000. I understand this might seem ridiculous, but given that we didn't buy this house (it was gifted), we're eager to explore all our options before moving on. It would mean losing a bedroom, but we planned on renovating some spaces anyway. I want to know if anyone thinks we could actually go through with removing it and what to consider if we do.
1 Answer
Totally understand why you'd want to remove a poorly built addition like that! There's no reason to keep something that's a hazard. Just keep in mind that while it can be removed, consulting a structural engineer is important to ensure you're not compromising the house's stability. They can help you figure out what needs to be reinforced and how to handle utilities and exterior drainage. Even small steps, like adding gutters, can help manage water better in the meantime. Good luck!