Second-Story Addition Cost in Fort Worth: Up vs. Out
A second-story addition in Fort Worth is in our top tier: $190,000 to $300,000 and beyond. Building out starts at $60,000 to $110,000 for one room.
A second-story addition is in our top room addition tier: $190,000 to $300,000 and beyond. Building out costs less to start. One new room with no plumbing runs $60,000 to $110,000, and a room with a bathroom runs $110,000 to $190,000. Building up makes sense when the lot has no room to build out.
On this page
Every room addition we build is priced on three tiers, and a second story sits in the top one. This page puts the three tiers side by side. It shows why building up is in the top tier, and how to choose between up and out.
- A second story is in our top addition tier: $190,000 to $300,000 and beyond.
- That tier also covers additions with more than one room besides the bathroom, and additions with a kitchen.
- Building out starts lower: $60,000 to $110,000 for one room with no plumbing.
- Building up is the answer when the lot has no room to build out.
- Permits are billed at cost and are not in the quote.
Up or out: the three tiers
We do not have a separate price list for second stories. Every addition is quoted on the same three tiers.
| The plan | Our price tier |
|---|---|
| Build out: one room with no plumbing | $60,000 to $110,000 |
| Build out: a room with a bathroom | $110,000 to $190,000 |
| Build up: a second story. This tier also covers more than one room besides the bathroom, or a kitchen. | $190,000 to $300,000 and beyond |
Why building up is in the top tier
Building up is more work than building out, for plain reasons.
- The roof over that part of the house has to come off.
- The house below has to carry the new floor.
- A stair has to go somewhere, and it takes space from the first floor.
This list describes the work. It is not a list of what is in a price. What your house needs is set at the walk-through, and it goes into the written scope.
When building up is the right call
Building up is the answer when the lot is tight. If there is no room to build out, or you want to keep the yard you have, up is the direction left.
Building out is the answer when the lot has room. It starts in a lower tier, and the house you live in is changed less.
If the space you need is for a parent, read the in-law suite cost guide. If you have a garage you do not use for cars, read the garage conversion cost guide. Both are quoted on the same tiers.
What the City of Fort Worth says
We read the City of Fort Worth Residential Permitting page on November 13, 2026. It says that all additions require building permits. It also says there may be more zoning rules on the location, the height and the square footage, and that these depend on how the lot is zoned.
Height matters when you build up. Ask about the zoning rules for your lot early. They can change the plan.
City rules can change, and other cities have their own rules. Read the page yourself before you plan: City of Fort Worth Residential Permitting. Our guide to room addition permits in Fort Worth goes through that page part by part.
How you pay for a job this size
A second-story addition is over $100,000. This is the payment schedule for every job of that size.
- 50% at the start. This covers the demo, the lumber package and the window order.
- 10% every two weeks. The other half is paid in payments of 10% as the work moves.
- You hold the last 10%. You keep it until every scope is complete and you are satisfied.
Projects over $100,000 typically run two to five months. We do not publish a time for a second story by itself. Ask at the walk-through.
What is not in the number
- Permits. They are billed at cost. They are not in the quote. Licensed trades pull the permits for their scope.
- Appliances, if a kitchen is part of the plan. You buy them. We install them.
- Changes after you sign. A change order is priced at cost plus 25%.
When it stops being only an addition
A second story often changes the floor below it. If the plan also reworks rooms you already have, that work is set at the walk-through and written into the scope.
A remodel of the whole house is a different job, and our whole-house remodel cost guide has those numbers. For the addition tiers in full, read the room addition cost guide.
If you are not sure you want to stay in the house, read remodel or move in Fort Worth.
How to get your number
The real number comes from a free walk-through of the house and the lot. The quote we write from it is good for 30 days.
Our typical start is one to two weeks out, depending on our schedule. Our own in-house crew does the work.
Every job carries a written warranty with two terms: three years on everything we touch, and five years on our workmanship. Manufacturer warranties on materials pass through to you. To set a walk-through, call or text 817-210-7117.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does a second-story addition cost in Fort Worth?
With us, it is in the top room addition tier: $190,000 to $300,000 and beyond. That tier also covers additions with more than one room besides the bathroom, or with a kitchen. Your number comes from the walk-through.
Does it cost less to build out than to build up?
Building out starts in a lower tier. One room with no plumbing runs $60,000 to $110,000. A room with a bathroom runs $110,000 to $190,000. A second story is in the top tier.
Do I need a permit for a second story in Fort Worth?
The City of Fort Worth Residential Permitting page, read on November 13, 2026, says that all additions require building permits. It also says there may be more zoning rules on location, height and square footage, depending on how the lot is zoned.
How long does a second-story addition take?
We do not publish one time for a second story. Our projects over $100,000 typically run two to five months. Ask at the walk-through.
Are permits in the price?
No. Permits are billed at cost and are not in the quote.