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Second Floor Additions in Ottawa
Build up instead of moving. OGC designs, engineers, and builds second storeys on Ottawa homes, bungalows included, starting with a structural engineer's answer on whether your house can carry the load.
Second Storey Additions Built for Ottawa Homes
Ottawa is full of solid postwar bungalows on good lots in established neighbourhoods. Second floor additions in Ottawa let you double your living space and stay in the area you love, without the price of buying up or the upheaval of moving.
It is also one of the most demanding additions to build. A bungalow's foundation and walls were not always designed to carry a full upper floor, so the structural work has to be right. That is exactly what our engineering-led process is built for.
A second storey is one of several ways to add space. See all our home additions in Ottawa if you are still weighing building up against building out.
- Double your square footage while keeping your lot and location
- Add primary suites, kids' bedrooms, and a second bathroom up top
- Engineer-verified before design, so you know it is possible up front
- Exterior matched so your home looks built that way from day one
Which Second Storey Fits Your Home
How you build up depends on what the house can carry and how much space you need. These are the options we look at on every second storey project.
Full Second Storey
A complete new floor over the whole footprint, usually turning a bungalow into a two-storey home with bedrooms, a bathroom, and new stairs.
Bungalow second floor costs
Partial Second Floor
A second storey over part of the house, often a primary suite or two bedrooms. It costs less than a full floor and can suit a structure that only carries load in some places.
See a second storey we built
Over a Garage
Building a room or suite above an attached garage, or putting up a new garage with space on top. The garage structure usually needs reinforcing to carry it.
Garage additions in Ottawa
Lift and Rebuild
When the existing walls or footings cannot carry a new floor, the engineer may recommend rebuilding more of the structure. We tell you this before design, not halfway through.
Book a structural assessment
Attic or Dormer Conversion
If the roof is steep enough, finishing the attic or adding dormers can give you a bedroom or ensuite upstairs without building a full new storey.
Attic renovations in Ottawa
Build Out Instead
If the structure cannot take a second floor and the yard has room, a ground-floor extension or bump-out adds space without touching the roof.
Home extensions in Ottawa
How Our Second Floor Additions Actually Run
A second floor addition, also called a second storey addition, is a structural project, not a cosmetic renovation. Here is how OGC takes your Ottawa home from feasibility to a finished, engineered new floor.
Before anything else, we confirm your home can carry a second floor. A structural engineer reviews your foundation, walls, and footings so you know what is possible before you spend a dollar on design.
- On-site review of your foundation, framing, and load paths
- Engineer assessment of whether to build up or lift and rebuild
- Honest go or no-go answer before you commit to a design
We design your new floor around how you actually want to live, then our engineers produce the stamped structural drawings the City of Ottawa requires.
- New layout for bedrooms, bathrooms, and stairs
- 3D renderings so you see the finished home before we build
- Stamped structural and architectural drawings for permit
A second floor adds height and floor area, so zoning matters. Two zoning by-laws apply in Ottawa while appeals of the new one continue, and the stricter rule governs. We check height and setbacks for your lot, handle any minor variance, and submit and track the building permit.
- Building permit submitted and tracked by OGC
- Height and setbacks checked against both zoning by-laws
- Committee of Adjustment minor variance handled if required
We reinforce the foundation and main-floor structure as engineered, remove the existing roof, and weatherproof the home so the interior is protected while we build the new floor.
- Foundation and load-bearing reinforcement as specified
- Controlled roof removal with full weather protection
- Your home sealed and secured at every stage
Your new floor goes up: framing, a new roof, windows, and exterior cladding matched to your existing home so the addition looks original, not bolted on.
- New second-floor framing and roof system
- Windows, insulation, and exterior matched to your home
- Building envelope sealed and inspected before interior work
We finish the new floor end to end: plumbing, wiring, drywall, flooring, and finishes, then walk the completed home with you before the City's final inspection.
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC extended to the new floor
- Drywall, flooring, trim, and paint completed
- Final City inspection booked and your 7-year warranty handed over
A Second Storey We've Built
Two new bedrooms and a primary suite added on top, with new siding, a porch, and a deck to tie the old house and the new floor together.
Read the full project story: Second Storey Addition. Weighing your options? Read what it costs to add a second floor to a bungalow.
Why Ottawa Homeowners Choose OGC
200+ verified reviews across Google, Houzz, and HomeStars, from homeowners who trusted us with the biggest project their house will ever see.
Engineering-Led, Not Guesswork
Every second floor addition starts with a structural engineer confirming your home can carry it. You get a straight answer on feasibility before you invest in design.
One Team, Start to Finish
One dedicated project manager runs your entire build, from engineering to final paint. No handoffs, no gaps, reachable by phone or text the whole way through.
See It Before We Build It
Every addition starts with full 3D renderings so you can see your new floor and exterior before a single wall goes up. Change it on screen, not on site.
Fixed Pricing, No Surprises
You approve a fixed price for the scope in your contract, with any allowances written down. Our price-match policy applies to comparable, itemized quotes from GOHBA and RenoMark members.
7-Year Warranty
OGC backs every addition with a 7-year warranty. A second floor addition is a major investment, and your peace of mind should match it.
Recognized by Ottawa's Building Industry
OGC is a member of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA), a RenoMark renovator, and a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA). Our work has been featured on CTV and CBC.
What Ottawa Homeowners Say About Us
Second Floor Addition Challenges We Solve
Building up is the most complex addition there is. These are the obstacles we manage on every Ottawa second floor addition.
The biggest unknown with any second floor addition is whether the foundation and walls can take the load. We answer that with a structural engineer before design, then reinforce exactly where the drawings call for it.
Adding height and floor area can run into your lot's zoning limits. Ottawa has two zoning by-laws in force at once while appeals of the new one are heard, and the more restrictive rule applies. We confirm height and setbacks early and handle any minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment so your project does not stall.
A second storey always needs a building permit with stamped structural drawings, and the City reviews them before work starts. We prepare the full submission, answer the examiner's questions, and book every inspection. Read more on permits for second storey additions in Ottawa.
Removing a roof in an Ottawa climate is a real risk if it is not managed. We sequence tear-off and weatherproofing tightly and keep the home sealed and secure through every stage of the build.
A second floor addition should not look like an afterthought. We match rooflines, windows, and exterior finishes to your existing home so the finished result looks like it was always meant to be two storeys.
What a Second Floor Addition Costs in Ottawa
Pricing depends on the size of the new floor, how much structural reinforcement your home needs, and your finishes. Here is the range Ottawa homeowners are working within.
Structure and Foundation
The reinforcement your home needs is the single biggest cost driver. Homes that were built to carry an upper floor cost far less than a bungalow that needs new footings or beams to support the load.
Size of the New Floor
Second floor additions in Ottawa generally run $300–$500+ per square foot all-in. The bigger the footprint you build over, the more the total climbs, but the lower your cost per square foot tends to be.
Finishes and Scope
New bathrooms, a primary suite, custom millwork, and higher-end finishes move you up the range. Where you put your budget on the new floor is one of the biggest levers you control.
Want the full breakdown? Read our detailed guide to second floor addition costs in Ottawa.
Second Floor Addition Questions
In most cases, yes. Many Ottawa bungalows are good candidates for a second floor addition, and adding a second storey is one of the most common ways to gain space here. Whether it is possible depends on the foundation, walls, and footings. We start every bungalow project with a structural engineer who confirms whether you can build up on the existing structure or whether a lift-and-rebuild approach makes more sense, before you spend anything on design.
Most second floor additions in Ottawa fall between $150,000 for a partial addition and $500,000+ for a full bungalow-to-two-storey conversion, or roughly $300–$500 per square foot. The biggest variable is how much structural reinforcement your home needs. See our full second floor addition cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
Yes. A second floor addition always requires a City of Ottawa building permit, stamped structural drawings, and zoning compliance for height and setbacks. While appeals of the new zoning by-law continue, both the old and new by-laws apply and the stricter rule governs. Some projects also need a minor variance. OGC handles the entire permit and approvals process for you. Here is more on permits for second floor additions in Ottawa.
Most second floor additions take about 4 to 8 months of construction, plus design and permitting beforehand. Larger conversions and projects that need a minor variance take longer. We give you a realistic schedule before work starts.
Sometimes, but not always. Because a second floor addition involves removing the roof, many homeowners choose to move out during the structural and weatherproofing phases. We will tell you honestly what to expect for your specific project and help you plan around it.
It usually adds bedrooms and bathrooms, which are what buyers pay for, and on a well-located lot in an established neighbourhood that matters. It also lets you stay in the area you love instead of buying up. We are glad to talk through the numbers for your home and street.
Second Floor Additions Across Ottawa
OGC builds second floor additions and home additions across Ottawa and the surrounding region. Pick your area for local detail on additions.
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1886 Merivale Road #200, Nepean, ON K2G 1E6Sit with a specialist and visit our design center.
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