My husband and I recently bought a charming 1915 home that we adore, but there's a significant drawback: the upstairs bedrooms have very low ceilings, measuring just 6'10". We think raising them to a more comfortable 8' height would make a big difference. The good news is there's an attic crawl space with enough clearance to make this feasible, and there are no ducts or wiring to complicate things. While we're considering bringing in a few contractors for quotes, we're unsure about what a reasonable estimate would be for this project. Also, given my husband's experience with wall framing and drywalling, do you think this could be a DIY project? The rooms measure 143 sq ft and 114 sq ft respectively.
3 Answers
Raising the ceilings might not be as straightforward as it seems. Depending on how the current structure is set up, it could require some major work and even stamped engineering drawings for permits. Expect costs to be around six figures—especially in high-cost living areas. If you're in Western NY, you might find that the costs vary, but it could still get pricey if you need to hire professionals.
Yeah, I get it! We're not super focused on ROI either; it’s more about comfort since we plan on staying here for a while.
I’d definitely talk to local contractors about this. Just be aware that different contractors might give you wildly varying estimates based on how they plan to tackle the job. Ideally, get a structural engineer involved to help guide what’s feasible with removing ceiling joists—if that’s what you decide to do!
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy DIY project. Raising the ceilings can be a massive structural change. If your husband has a solid understanding of construction and you’ve got the right tools, you might manage it. But seriously consider getting professional help to ensure everything is safely executed.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll make sure he gets the right instructions if we go that route.
If you do choose to DIY, make sure you know the right order of operations for removing joists and what temporary supports you’ll need to keep everything secure.
That sounds really steep! I wouldn't have expected it to cost that much just to raise the ceilings a foot over that space.