Homes have wide-ranging architectural designs that make them unique. Disputes can arise between insurance carriers, contractors, and property owners when assessing replacement cost estimates for 1 3/4 storey homes as its unique features differentiate it from other homes.
Because the Douglas Residential Cost Guide utilizes leading principles and accounts for the seemingly small differences that distinguish a 1 ¾ storey home from a single-storey, 1 ½, and 2 storey house, it has emerged as the go-to resource. If you need to estimate the replacement cost of a 1 ¾ storey home, these are critical things you need to know.
What Distinguishes the 1 ¾ Storey Home from Other Residences
This type of home design provides a full living space on the first floor. The upper level typically delivers enough square footage for bedrooms and bathrooms at least as wide and deep as the lower floor. But 1 ¾ storey homes have sloping ceilings that trail the contour of the roofline. This somewhat unique facet often reduces the upper-level’s cubic space by about 20 percent.
A cookie-cutter approach to estimating replacement costs for 1 3/4 storey homes might assign 100 percent to the first storey and 80 percent to the upper level. This method would miss the mark because these “saltbox” homes include dormers and other subtle nuances. Given that some of these structures date back to the 1800s, many of the materials used would be considered high-end or specialty items in today’s market. Those are the types of issues that render standardized estimates inaccurate.
Estimating Unique Features of 1 3/4 Storey Homes
The Douglas Residential Cost Guide estimates clear and concise replacement costs for 1 3/4 storey homes by considering features that go beyond a standard format and square footage calculations. These features include:
- Electrical fixtures and/or equipment of varying qualities
- Plumbing fixtures of varying qualities
- Variety of options for heating systems/equipment
- Full basement with or without finishes
Douglas Residential Cost Guide Can Accurately Estimate the Replacement Cost of a 1 ¾ Storey Home
Getting all of the stakeholders involved in accurately assessing the replacement costs of a home is no easy task. That’s why the Douglas Residential Cost Guide brings decades of field experience and continually updated data to the table. By providing an online platform and hard copy manual that professionals in insurance, construction, architecture, and other industries can utilize, estimated replacement cost consensus can be achieved. The Douglas Residential Cost Guide remains the gold standard for estimating replacement costs and the reliable resource for 1 ¾ storey homes.
