We want to add an addition on a cinber block house if possible making the addition a raised level can this be done(safely)?

Raised level or a second floor? People use the term cinder block a lot but true cincer blocks were replaced with cement block long ago, what do you have?

We were told cinder blocks because there was a cinder block factory(?) not sure what they called it-here
In our town-1 block from the house and several in town were made from cinder blocks-is there a way to find out for sure by looking at them? No not a second floor.We want an addition but my husband wants it a raised level.

Where do you live, have you contacted a building contractor, architect, or building inspector department?

Practically anything can be done. Cost may be prohibitive but can be done. Are you considering a block or frame addition? The industry term for "cinder block" is CMU-Concrete Masonry Unit. Major difficulty tying together is getting a sufficient bond. Usually the contractor will cut out a wall block to form a tie in base. Using a frame addition is simpler but you need to be careful attaching the wood framing since there are a lot of void space in a CMU. I just helped clad a block house with Hardie, lot of work but looks great.

@ ma0461-thanks we are going with frame/wood additionI know it will be a tough project and finding a contractor who can handle this may be a challenge also.
@ballenerb1-no not yet I know we will but we have been hearing conflcting help from people who say it can not be done to a good result so when I saw this blog I thought I would ask people who would know.We live in Illinois thanks for your help too.

OK where in Illinois? There are state and international building codes which must be followed. Many homes built with old cinder block have a crawl space, do you? Since you are not building a seconds story the old foundation is not a big issue. You have to dig a new foundation with a basement floor and a raise, split level or bi-level above the basement

There is no crawl space it is on a cement slab -Hanover ,Illinois-not hanover park we get confused with that all the time thanks

Yes, hanover not far from Galena. Try calling Keith Arnold in Elizabeth. He can bid the project.

Thanks! Where are you from and do you know Keith or just his good reputation

He did my home at a lake 20 minutes from your house. He used to be in Stockton but moved to Elizabeth 2 years ago.

I think he was ahead of me in school,I went to Stockton.My husband thought Keith retired from construction so I will have to check it out.Where do you live now? I have haerd good things about Keith.Thanks again