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urgent ..pls help -construction question lindagoldstein100 01-18-2007
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Posted by on January 18, 2007, 8:50 pm


urgent ..pls help -construction question

Background
*****************
My friend is buying a home in the SF Bay Area, California.

The home has a nice view at the back.
The family room is on the first floor and the bedroom upstairs face
the back.
The bedroom sits on the family room which is below.
The family room is larger than the bedroom on top. It has a pointed
roof which ruins the view from this bedroom.


1. However the family room has a big fireplace that faces the back -
this ruins the view from that room.
Can the the fireplace and chimney be removed ?
so a French door can be inserted in that space and the view can be
enjoyed ?

2. Upstairs in the master bedroom ..the view is ruined because of
very tiny windows and also
- the chimney
- the pointed tile roof
Can the chimney ( because of the fireplace in the family room below)
be removed
and the roof flattened so a varandah can be built ?

So there are 2 issues
1. can we remove the chimney completely
2. can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build
varendah on it ?

Is this possible ?
and what would be the costs ?
any complications ?
any issues that I should be aware of ?

I know it is difficult to comment without seeing the home...but if you
can pls give us your input it would be very highly appreciated.

Thanks

Linda


Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on January 18, 2007, 10:34 pm




> So there are 2 issues
> 1. can we remove the chimney completely
> 2. can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build
> varendah on it ?
>
> Is this possible ?
> and what would be the costs ?
> any complications ?
> any issues that I should be aware of ?

No one here can give the right answer. Given enough time and money, yes,
most anything can be done. You are looking at some major renovations
removing the fireplace, flattening roofs, etc. It must be looked at and
planned by someone familiar with the engineering of it all. It may be
required by the local building department before issuing a permit.
Flattening a roof required major changes, proper design and engineering for
trusses or other supports. Most fireplaces and chimneys are self supporting
and not a part of the structure for fire safety reasons. If that is the
case, it can be removed and new framing put in place.

Cost? Probably tens of thousands of dollars. Maybe $150k or more. Unless,
of course, you are in some historic area where such renovations would not be
allowed.



Posted by hallerb@aol.com on January 18, 2007, 10:48 pm



Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
> > So there are 2 issues
> > 1. can we remove the chimney completely
> > 2. can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build
> > varendah on it ?
> >
> > Is this possible ?
> > and what would be the costs ?
> > any complications ?
> > any issues that I should be aware of ?
>
> No one here can give the right answer. Given enough time and money, yes,
> most anything can be done. You are looking at some major renovations
> removing the fireplace, flattening roofs, etc. It must be looked at and
> planned by someone familiar with the engineering of it all. It may be
> required by the local building department before issuing a permit.
> Flattening a roof required major changes, proper design and engineering for
> trusses or other supports. Most fireplaces and chimneys are self supporting
> and not a part of the structure for fire safety reasons. If that is the
> case, it can be removed and new framing put in place.
>
> Cost? Probably tens of thousands of dollars. Maybe $150k or more. Unless,
> of course, you are in some historic area where such renovations would not be
> allowed.

have friends who removed chimneys to gain space, heavy dirty DIY if
your comfy on roof or get someone to do the height work. chimney comes
down one brick at a time just like how it was built.

anything using that chimney as a flue? might need a new furnace etc.


Posted by dancer1 via HomeKB.com on January 18, 2007, 10:47 pm


If your friend hasn't already put in a bid, maybe the sellers would allow you
to have a builder/carpenter walk thru with you and give an estimate of how
much it could cost, and if what you want could even be done? At least you
would know ahead of time, while you can still back out.

lindagoldstein100@yahoo.com wrote:
>urgent ..pls help -construction question
>
>Background
>*****************
>My friend is buying a home in the SF Bay Area, California.
>
>The home has a nice view at the back.
>The family room is on the first floor and the bedroom upstairs face
>the back.
>The bedroom sits on the family room which is below.
>The family room is larger than the bedroom on top. It has a pointed
>roof which ruins the view from this bedroom.
>
>1. However the family room has a big fireplace that faces the back -
>this ruins the view from that room.
>Can the the fireplace and chimney be removed ?
>so a French door can be inserted in that space and the view can be
>enjoyed ?
>
>2. Upstairs in the master bedroom ..the view is ruined because of
>very tiny windows and also
> - the chimney
> - the pointed tile roof
>Can the chimney ( because of the fireplace in the family room below)
>be removed
> and the roof flattened so a varandah can be built ?
>
>So there are 2 issues
>1. can we remove the chimney completely
>2. can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build
>varendah on it ?
>
>Is this possible ?
>and what would be the costs ?
>any complications ?
>any issues that I should be aware of ?
>
>I know it is difficult to comment without seeing the home...but if you
>can pls give us your input it would be very highly appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>
>Linda

--
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http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200701/1


Posted by buffalobill on January 19, 2007, 5:09 am


only the permit office has your answer, inquire of them with the
property address.
a local architect could advise you on historic limitations? zoning
limits? how much of the settled home does the big fireplace support?
how tall can an observation deck be built? what are the limits on
playground decks and swimming pool decks? fences? and how do all those
apply to the neighbors of your view?

lindagoldstein100@yahoo.com wrote:
> urgent ..pls help -construction question
>
> Background
> *****************
> My friend is buying a home in the SF Bay Area, California.
>
> The home has a nice view at the back.
> The family room is on the first floor and the bedroom upstairs face
> the back.
> The bedroom sits on the family room which is below.
> The family room is larger than the bedroom on top. It has a pointed
> roof which ruins the view from this bedroom.
>
>
> 1. However the family room has a big fireplace that faces the back -
> this ruins the view from that room.
> Can the the fireplace and chimney be removed ?
> so a French door can be inserted in that space and the view can be
> enjoyed ?
>
> 2. Upstairs in the master bedroom ..the view is ruined because of
> very tiny windows and also
> - the chimney
> - the pointed tile roof
> Can the chimney ( because of the fireplace in the family room below)
> be removed
> and the roof flattened so a varandah can be built ?
>
> So there are 2 issues
> 1. can we remove the chimney completely
> 2. can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build
> varendah on it ?
>
> Is this possible ?
> and what would be the costs ?
> any complications ?
> any issues that I should be aware of ?
>
> I know it is difficult to comment without seeing the home...but if you
> can pls give us your input it would be very highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Linda


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