Think you can’t afford that remodel? (There are more options than you think.)
So you’d love to upgrade your kitchen or add a shed dormer with a primary suite, but you’re not sure how to pay for it? Learn about three ways to finance your remodel.
St. Paul Cape Cod Dormer Addition
A remodel is underway. Take a look inside.
Follow along as we build a shed dormer addition along the upper level of this St. Paul Cape Cod.
Remodel Details
Reinventing A 1.5 Story Cape Cod with Room to Grow
Like many homes in the area, this Cape Cod benefited from a bonus 1/2 story upper level that the family could use as a much-needed flex space. Our clients were looking for some ingenuity to deal with spatial issues on the main floor by remodeling the upper level to gain more space. Adding a dormer spanning the entire length of the home meant that previously unusable square footage in the 1/2 story could become spacious bedroom suites, given the elevated ceiling heights. For this design to be successful, our designers would need to rehome the primary suite and shared kids’ room to the upper level with additional bonus space to be used by the whole family.
The existing 1/2 story above this Cape Cod family home operated as a flex space with a play zone for the kids and work-from-home space.
A small closet at the edge of the stair wall, though functional, blocked views throughout the upper level.
Our clients would trade the upper level offices for bedroom suites and a properly sized recreational room, enabling the main level bedrooms to be repurposed into well-proportioned offices.
Project Objective
For this work-from-home family, finding places to work for both Mom and Dad on the main level was nearly impossible. Turning the 1/2 story above into the primary bedroom location would allow the main level bedrooms to be easily reconfigured into offices.
Project Details
- Project Type: Total Upper Level Remodel with Dormer Addition
- Style of Home: 1.5 Story Cape Cod
- Year Built: 1946
- Project construction will take approximately 16 weeks to complete.
Unique Challenges of the Remodel
- Tricky Engineering: With structural elements relocated during a previous remodel on the main level, the team needed to resolve how to support the roof for the new dormer without having posts awkwardly divide the new loft.
- Overcoming Low Ceiling Heights: To create proper living spaces, the team would need to reclaim previously unusable square footage by increasing ceiling heights across the back of the home
- Redefining the Exterior Aesthetic: Based on the clients’ preferences, the new dormer would need to maintain the exterior Cape Code aesthetic while infusing modern influences.
Large windows make the upper level a bright and welcoming place to be, which is an asset to both the existing and proposed plans. With great natural light, as well as new flooring and modern selections, the remodeled space will be just as welcoming as the floor below.
So the House isn’t working For You. Why Remodel?
For our clients, this St.Paul Neighborhood felt just right and a previous remodel on the main level was an asset. Not just the inside of the house, but the backyard was a coveted feature of the property, which these clients weren’t in a hurry to give up. Another important consideration is equity. Living in the home for several years already, the family built up enough equity to make a remodel worthwhile.
Want to learn more about
this type of project?
We’re here to help! Check out our planning resources below, or reach out to us here.
What Will It Cost To Remodel My Attic?
Learn what it costs to remodel an attic in the Twin Cities, and what factors drive those costs.
Every White Crane Remodeling Project Starts With Design
Learn why having both designers and construction professionals on our team allows us to guide clients seamlessly through the entire remodeling process.
