Shell Only Dormer ?

Has anyone done this ?
Our house desperately needs a new rood, we weren't looking to dormer any time soon, but it kills me to put a new roof on just to rip it off in a few years when we dormer.
I was thinking an option may be to do the shell only, that way, the roof,windows and siding are in and won't have to be ripped out and redone, but we don't have to invest $100k right NOW ......... -We're not using the upstairs level at all anyway b/c it's pretty much unfinished -
Any ideas/suggestions are welcome !! I'm new at the homeowner thing !!

Re: Shell Only Dormer ?

do you need a whole new roof or can you get away with jus a new layer on top? That wont cost you as much as having them rip the roof down to the studs and you will get a new roof.

Re: Shell Only Dormer ?

Unfortunately, the previous homeowners cut corners where ever possible, there are about 5 layers of roof up there - It needs to be ripped off and completely redone.

Re: Shell Only Dormer ?

ahhh I see

My Dh and I are in sort of the same position...we want to go an extention over our 3 garages but thats in about 5 years but meanwhile we need a new roof over them!!

Re: Shell Only Dormer ?

We were hoping for the 5 year plan too-
If we didn't plan on doing it for 10 or 15 years, I'd say do the roof/siding etc. - But to do it now, and then just rip it off in a few years ..........I was thinking doing just the shell would give us that 'finished' roof,siding and windows, meanwhile we can finish the inside at our own pace.......... -

Re: Shell Only Dormer ?

My cousins used Shells only - It's still really expensive. I think they paid close to about 85K. I guess the details of the job are important though - they added on some additional stuff.