Second Story Additions — Greater Boston, Massachusetts
Design Build Boston was founded to bring a different approach to one of the most complex construction challenges in real estate: adding a second story to an existing home in Greater Boston. Boston's regulatory environment — from Cambridge's historic commissions to Brookline's planning board to Boston ISD's permit process — makes second story work genuinely difficult. That complexity is why most contractors won't touch it.
We've done the work to understand how these processes work across every municipality in Greater Boston. We know the permit timelines, the inspection requirements, the historic district rules, and the zoning quirks that surprise most homeowners. That's not something you can fake — it comes from having done it, repeatedly, in every neighborhood.
Greater Boston's real estate market makes second story additions compelling for a specific reason: the transaction costs of moving are enormous. Boston metro realtor fees plus closing costs easily run $80,000–$150,000 on a typical home. For families in Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, or Boston's key neighborhoods who need more space, adding a second story is frequently the cheaper option — even before accounting for the emotional and logistical cost of moving.
But Boston's construction environment is unforgiving. Historic district rules in Cambridge and Back Bay require design review before any permit. Brookline has height restrictions that need variance approval. Newton has zoning overlays that vary street by street. Boston ISD's permit process has its own timeline and documentation requirements. Without a team that's navigated these waters before, homeowners can spend months getting turned around.
That's the gap we fill. We've done second story additions across Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, Arlington, and the surrounding communities. We know the inspectors, the permit offices, and the process. We're not figuring it out on your project.
We've navigated the permit process in Boston ISD, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and Somerville. Every municipality has its own rules and timelines — we know what's coming and prepare accordingly. Historic district review, ARD approval, zoning variances — we handle it as part of the project scope.
We have in-house design capability and work with licensed architects for projects requiring stamped drawings or historic commission approval. You don't have to hire an architect separately and then find a builder. We handle the full scope from concept through certificate of occupancy.
We weatherproof your new floor before removing the old roof. You keep access to your kitchen and bathrooms throughout. Massachusetts weather adds planning considerations we account for — the weatherproofing sequence is planned around seasonal conditions to minimize exposure risk.
Greater Boston construction costs are high — we don't pretend otherwise. Our estimates are based on actual project costs in your specific neighborhood. You'll see the line items: permits, structural engineering, demo, framing, weatherproofing, finishes. No surprises at the end.
Design Build Boston works across Greater Boston municipalities. Every project includes a zoning and permit review of the specific address and neighborhood.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Boston and surrounding Greater Boston.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Cambridge and surrounding Greater Boston.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Brookline and surrounding Greater Boston.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Newton and surrounding Greater Boston.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Somerville and surrounding Greater Boston.
Second story additions completed and in progress throughout Arlington and surrounding Greater Boston.
Get a free AI preview of your home, or reach out to our team directly. Either way, you get a real conversation — not a sales pitch.