Orange & Riverside Counties
Arizona
Second Story Addition Contractor
in Riverside
County
& Greater Phoenix, AZ
Building a second story is the smartest way to double your living space without sacrificing your yard, paying agent fees, or taking on a higher-rate mortgage. Nikolic Construction builds full and partial second story additions across Riverside County, Orange County CA, and the Greater Phoenix metro in Arizona.
- Licensed CA (CSLB) & AZ (ROC)
- Permits handled for you
- 5.0 Stars - Angi Verified
- 30+ years experience
Second Story Addition in Riverside County: Double Your Space
I get this call constantly. A family in Murrieta or Temecula has two kids sharing a room, a parent moving in, or someone permanently working from home. They’ve looked at what it costs to buy a bigger house in Riverside County today and it’s not pretty. Moving means giving up a low mortgage rate, paying 6% in realtor fees, and starting over in a new neighborhood.
A second story addition lets you keep everything you love about your home and just make it bigger. I’ve built dozens of these across Riverside County, and every single family tells me the same thing afterward: they should have done it sooner. Let me show you exactly how it works and what it really costs.
“Daniel Nikolic, Owner · Nikolic Construction”
In Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, Corona, and across Riverside County, home lots tend to be medium-to-large. But many families still run out of bedrooms before they run out of property value. A second story solves that permanently.
Ready to Build Your ADU in Riverside County or Greater Phoenix?
Get a free consultation – Daniel Nikolic will evaluate your property and give you a clear, honest estimate. Licensed CA & AZ. No obligation.
Types of second story additions
Full Second Story, Partial Addition, or Bonus Room Above Garage: We Build All Three
Not every second story addition is the same. Here are the three types we build most often in Riverside County and Greater Phoenix with honest cost ranges for each.
Full second story addition
A complete new second floor added above your entire existing home. Maximum space gain – typically 3–5 new bedrooms and 2 new bathrooms. The roof is fully removed and rebuilt over the new second floor.
Partial second story addition
A second floor built above only part of the existing home – typically above a garage, master bedroom, or family room section. More affordable than a full addition.
Bonus room above garage
Add a second-floor room directly above your attached or detached garage. Often the most affordable second-story option. Popular as a home office, game room, teen retreat, guest suite, or large storage space.
Ready to Build Your ADU in Riverside County or Greater Phoenix?
Get a free consultation – Daniel Nikolic will evaluate your property and give you a clear, honest estimate. Licensed CA & AZ. No obligation.
Why Riverside County Homeowners Trust Nikolic Construction
for Second Story Additions
A second story addition is one of the largest construction projects a homeowner undertakes. Here is what makes Nikolic Construction the right contractor for this work.
Licensed in California and Arizona
CSLB licensed in California, ROC licensed in Arizona. Fully insured. A second story addition requires a licensed general contractor.
We handle all permits & inspections
From building permits to plan checks, electrical, plumbing, and final Certificate of Occupancy - we manage every step so you don't have to.
No-surprise pricing
We find structural issues early, not mid-project when it costs you double. Our detailed written estimates mean no change order ambushes.
Daniel handles every project
You call or text Daniel directly. He does your estimate, he oversees construction, he's at your final walkthrough. You always know who is responsible for your project.
Deep local knowledge
We know Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, and Riverside building departments intimately. And we know Scottsdale and Phoenix zoning rules for vertical additions.
30+ years of verified reviews
Rated 5.0 on Angi with verified reviews from homeowners in Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, and across Riverside County.
Ready to Build Your ADU in Riverside County or Greater Phoenix?
Get a free consultation – Daniel Nikolic will evaluate your property and give you a clear, honest estimate. Licensed CA & AZ. No obligation.
Real projects. Real results.
Recently Completed Second Story Addition Projects
These are real second story additions we’ve completed for real families across Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, and Scottsdale. Every one of them chose to build up instead of move and every one of them told me after that it was the right call. These aren’t stock photos or renderings. This is the work we do.
Full second story - 1,200 sq ft, 3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms
A family of five in Murrieta were sharing two bedrooms. They’d looked at moving but a bigger home in their neighborhood was $180K more than their current home – at a higher rate.
Partial second story - master suite + bonus room, 780 sq ft
The Temecula homeowners wanted a proper master retreat – large bedroom, luxury bathroom with soaking tub, walk-in closet – plus a bonus room for a home office.
750 sq ft detached ADU - Menifee, Riverside County
The Lake Elsinore family wanted a large home office and a private guest bedroom for visiting parents – but didn’t want to spend $350K on a full second story.
Ready to Build Your ADU in Riverside County or Greater Phoenix?
Get a free consultation – Daniel Nikolic will evaluate your property and give you a clear, honest estimate. Licensed CA & AZ. No obligation.
What Homeowners Say About Our ADU Work
Real feedback from verified clients in Murrieta, Temecula, and Lake Elsinore.
Second Story Addition Service Areas: California & Arizona
We build second story and partial story additions across Riverside County, Orange County CA, and the Greater Phoenix metro in Arizona. Second story projects typically have a wider service area due to their project size – contact us to confirm your location.
Riverside County – Primary Market
Orange County – Secondary Market
Second Story Addition FAQ: Riverside County & Greater Phoenix
The questions homeowners ask us most before starting a second story project. Answered honestly – no marketing language, no hedging.
How much does a second story addition cost in Murrieta or Temecula?
In Murrieta, Temecula, and across Riverside County, a full second story addition typically costs $175,000-$400,000+ depending on size, structural requirements, and finishes. A partial second story above a garage or a master suite addition costs $80,000-$230,000. Southern California labor and material costs are higher than the national average, but significantly less than purchasing a larger home at today’s prices in the same neighborhood. Nikolic Construction provides free, detailed written estimates.
Do I need to move out during a second story addition?
For a full second story addition, yes – in most cases you will need to temporarily relocate for 2-4 months while the roof is removed and the new second floor is built. For partial additions above a garage or a section of the home, many families stay in the unaffected portion of the house. We discuss this clearly at your free consultation so you can plan ahead. Budget $2,000-$4,000 per month for temporary housing during a full second story build.
How long does a second story addition take in Riverside County?
From your free consultation to the final certificate of occupancy, a full second story addition typically takes 6-10 months in Riverside County. Here’s the breakdown: free consultation and design: 3-5 weeks. Structural engineering: 2-3 weeks. Permit approval: 6-10 weeks (varies by city). Construction: 16-24 weeks depending on scope. Partial additions and bonus rooms above garages take 3-5 months total. We provide a detailed written timeline before work begins.
Can my existing foundation support a second story?
Most single-story homes in Riverside County can support a second story with some structural reinforcement. A licensed structural engineer assesses your foundation, load-bearing walls, and framing before any work begins. Their report (required for permits) identifies exactly what reinforcement is needed. Most Murrieta and Temecula homes built in the 1990s-2000s need moderate reinforcement – typically $10,000-$40,000. Nikolic Construction coordinates the structural engineering assessment as part of our standard process.
Do you handle permits for second story additions in Murrieta, Temecula, and Riverside County?
Yes, Nikolic Construction manages the entire permit process for second story additions in Riverside County, including Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, Corona, and Norco. We prepare and submit architectural plans, structural engineering documents, and all permit applications. We track plan check comments, respond to corrections, and schedule all required inspections from foundation through final.
Is a second story addition worth it in Riverside County?
Yes, in virtually every case we’ve seen in Riverside County. A well-executed second story addition returns 60-70% ROI on average, meaning a $250,000 addition adds approximately $150,000-$175,000 in property value. Beyond the financial return, the cost of staying vs. moving in Murrieta and Temecula today typically favors building up – especially when you factor in selling costs, higher mortgage rates on a new home, and moving expenses. We’ve never had a client regret their decision to build rather than move.
What is the difference between a full and partial second story addition?
A full second story addition adds a complete new floor above your entire existing home – maximizing square footage and requiring full roof removal. A partial second story adds a second floor above only a portion of the home, such as above a garage, one wing, or the master bedroom area. Partial additions are less disruptive (you may not need to fully relocate), less expensive, and faster to build. The right choice depends on how much space you need and your budget. We discuss both options during your free consultation.
Contact Nikolic Construction
Owner Daniel Nikolic handles all estimates personally.
Phone - Call or Text
(951) 239-4205
Email Us
d.nikolic@nikolicconstruction.com
Business Hours
Mon - Fri: 7:00am - 5:00pm