NEW HEIGHTS— Homeowners who need more room are opting to add a new ground floor to their existing homes rather than building a second story on top. The strategy saves time, money and construction waste. When a homeowner wants to add a second story to their home, raising the original structure and placing a new level underneath might be a more cost-effective way of getting the job done, says a Glendale-based design and construction company called Top Notch.

Because the existing structure needs to support the new second story, it must meet stringent building codes and tough engineering requirements. It's often cheaper to demolish the entire home and start building the new, two-story home from scratch, say many architects and designers.

After all, adding a second story requires workers to underpin the existing foundation, remove stucco and interior drywall, and make sure the final product meets new seismic requirements. These procedures can be expensive.

Top Notch says one alternative is to raise the existing house and build a new first floor underneath, saving the cost of radically altering the original structure.

After the new first floor is built, the original home is set back down on top and becomes the new second story.

Costs are less and construction time is shorter, according to a Top Notch spokesperson.

For more information, call Top Notch at (818) 662-5698 or send an e-mail to creativity@topnotchstudio.com.