Is it feasible to remove a section of a stucco exterior wall on a flat piece of land to expand the house with a small bedroom-sized room?
Asked by Andrea Parra 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 2, 2024
How difficult would it be to remove a small section of the outer wall of a house to build a new room? The property is on level ground, and the house is made of stucco on a concrete foundation. The new room would be about the size of a small bedroom.
There are just way too many factors to give a one-size-fits-all answer. I’ve tackled dozens of projects like this, so I’d say it’s pretty straightforward.
It’s definitely not a DIY project, that’s for sure. Make sure to look into at least 13 different aspects before proceeding. Check for architectural, historic, zoning, and population density restrictions. Also, consider the soil quality and whether it can support the weight of your construction. If not, determine the necessary foundation size based on a soils test and Perc Test. Understand the importance of both tests. Decide between a crawl space, basement, or slab-on-grade foundation. Remember to provide support for the roof weight during this process. Personal insurance may not cover certain aspects of this type of project, so specialized insurance is crucial to protect your home and investment. DIY structural work leads to accidents and fatalities every year, so proceed with caution.
Wow, , that’s a really great response!
For an easier installation, consider placing it on a gable end. If it’s on the slope side, extensive engineering will be required.
Many of the 50’s houses here in Southern California have extensions. A colleague of mine added a bedroom and bathroom with some help from family members. He used to work as an electronic technician and handled everything from digging trenches, pouring concrete, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, and more. The city had a checklist in place to prevent major errors during inspections.