One Story vs. Two Story Homes
See the pros and cons of one and two story homes here and let our team help you build your dream home. Contact us at UBuildIt today!
At UBuildIt, our goal is to help you turn your dream home into a reality. We know that your home is meant to be your safe space and having a home that is built to your exact specifications is key in creating that space. When you begin the process of building your home, you will be faced with many decisions and it may seem overwhelming. Our team will be there to guide you every step of the way and we will put you in contact with the best contractors in the area. With our help, you will be able to build your home and build equity along the way.
While building your home, you will have to choose the design of your home. Our UDesignIt services will help you make the best choices and guide you as you start to design your new home. One of the biggest choices will be whether your house is one story or two. Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages so we have compiled a list of the pros and cons to make your decision a little bit easier. See our guide to one story vs. two story homes here!
Of course, the main advantage of having a one story home is that it will be easily accessible to everyone. Without any stairs in your home, it will be easier for everyone to get around and you won’t have to worry about people not being able to access the spaces that they need. If you intend to make your new home your forever home, it is also important that you will be able to easily navigate your home as you age. Aging in place will ensure that your home adapts with you as you grow older. Having everything on one floor and eliminating stairs will give you peace of mind as everyone in your home grows older.
If you opt for a two story home, you may have a harder time navigating your home as you age. The stairs will be harder on your joints and there is always the risk of falling. The stairs may also be an issue if you have young kids. Kids are adventurous and could see the stairs as a playground and end up hurting themselves. There are gates that can block the stairs but those may not necessarily fit in with your design aesthetic.
Another key advantage of a single story home is that maintenance will be easier. Having all of your plumbing and electrical on one floor will allow you to identify the issues quicker and make them easier to fix since they will be more accessible. You won’t have to worry about following the issue throughout your home and up the stairs. Having a home on one level will also make the everyday maintenance easier for you. Cleaning out the gutters and accessing the roof won’t be as difficult and while you’ll still need to use caution, it won’t be nearly as intimidating.
While maintenance isn’t impossible in a two story home, it can be more difficult. Many times in two story homes, you will have to have separate systems, like your water heater or HVAC system, on each level. This will not only make your energy bill higher but it will also mean you’re responsible for two costly items if they go out. Overall, a single story home may save you maintenance costs.
Whether you decide on a single or bi-level home, you will still have the same amount of land to build on. This may limit the size of your one story
home, but with a two story home, you will be able to utilize your vertical space. You can still get the square footage that you need without having to purchase another plot of land or take up your entire property and eliminate your yard. A two story home will give you the expansion that you want without taking up your entire piece of land.
If you decide on a single story home, you will be limited to the space that you purchase. If you want more square footage, you will either have to adjust your budget for the piece of land that you’re buying, or you’ll have to sacrifice your yard space. Neither of these may be the solution that you’re looking for so a two story home may be your best option.
Since your two story home will generally take up less space on the ground, you will generally cut building costs for the same amount of square footage. There will be less foundation to pour and a smaller roof to cover so you will be able to save on material costs. This may allow you some wiggle room in your budget to add on features that weren’t in your original cost.
If you decide on a single story home with the same amount of square footage, you will have more materials to pay for. This may get more costly as the construction goes on and you may have to adjust your budget to accommodate the extra materials.
Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages to both single and bi-level homes but both will benefit from working with our team at UBuildIt. We offer all of the guidance that you will need and help you make the best choices for your home and your family. Find your local UBuildIt office and contact us today for more information!
