Adding a storey to part of a Victorian house

[jlan90]

Hello

I am considering purchasing a small Victorian terraced house built approx 1900. The main house is two storey but there is a room out the back which is single storey. I am pretty sure that the single storey room is part of the original construction as it matches the neighbouring houses in geometry and the shape of the house on old OS maps suggest the single storey part was there.

If I were to purchase the property I would like to add a second storey so there is an extra room upstairs. What is the likelihood I could do this, I am particularly concerned about the foundations? I have a second viewing later in the week, does anyone have any ideas about things I could try and check?

Thanks!

 

[ree]

By simply viewing, there's no way of knowing if this outrigger will take another story. Look at neighbour's outriggers, knock on and talk to them maybe? Perhaps the vendor has info from a past project?

Typically, BCO wants foundation inspection pits to be dug.

Some 19thC outriggers had single brick wall.

Is there a basement in the main building?

 

[TheVictorian]

Highly likely that the single story part wouldn't have adequate foundations to support a second storey. In fact, by current regulations it probably would have adequate foundations to support itself!