Dormers
Add headroom, natural light, and usable square footage to your second floor. Fully engineered, permitted, and built by our licensed crew from foundation to finish.
IS IT TIME?
Signs your home needs a dormer
Most Long Island Capes, ranches, and split-levels were built with low-slope rooflines that waste upper-floor space. A dormer fixes that without moving to a bigger house.
- You cannot stand up straight in parts of your second floor
- Bedrooms feel cramped because the roofline cuts into usable space
- The upstairs gets too hot in summer and too cold in winter
- You need a full-height bathroom on the second floor and it will not fit under the existing roof
- Natural light barely reaches upper rooms because windows are small or missing
- Your family needs more bedrooms but you do not want to sell
- You want to convert attic space into a livable master suite
- Your home’s curb appeal and resale value would improve with a larger roofline
If any of these sound familiar, call (631) 430-5995. We can assess your basement in one visit.
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Choose Us
Why Meigel Home Improvements for Home Additions
Architectural Plans Included
We coordinate with architects and engineers to produce stamped plans that pass town review.
Foundation to Finish
Excavation, foundation, framing, roofing, siding, windows, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and interior finish. One company.
Seamless Integration
We match siding, rooflines, trim, and interior finishes so the addition looks original, not bolted on.
Full Permit Management
We handle zoning review, building permits, setback requirements, and all inspections through certificate of occupancy.
OUR PROCESS
rom roofline evaluation to finished dormer
Step 1: Free Site Evaluation We inspect your roof structure, measure the existing framing, review zoning setbacks, and discuss your goals for the added space.
Step 2: Design, Engineering, and Permits Architectural plans and structural engineering are completed. We submit for permits and handle any zoning board requirements.
Step 3: Construction Existing roof is opened, new structure is framed, roofed, sided, and weatherproofed. Interior build-out follows: insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring, and trim.
Step 4: Final Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy We schedule and pass all required inspections, obtain the CO, and walk you through the completed space before final payment.
Dormer types we build on Long Island
Long Island’s housing stock is heavy on Capes, ranches, and split-levels, all of which benefit from dormer additions. Here is what we build.
Shed Dormers The most common type on Long Island. A flat-slope roof extension across the back or side of the house that maximizes usable floor area. Ideal for converting a Cape’s second floor into full-height rooms.
Gable Dormers A peaked-roof dormer that projects from the main roofline. Adds headroom, a window, and architectural character. Often used in pairs or trios for symmetry on the front of the house.
Full-Width Dormers A dormer that spans the entire width of the house, effectively creating a full second floor. The most significant transformation, turning a Cape Cod into a Colonial-scale home with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
Hip Dormers A three-sided roof dormer that blends smoothly with hip-roof homes. Less common on Long Island but appropriate for certain architectural styles.
Dormer with Master Suite A dormer designed specifically to create a master bedroom, walk-in closet, and full bathroom on the second floor. Includes HVAC, plumbing, and electrical for the full suite.
Dormer with Bathroom Addition Adding a full or half bathroom within the new dormer space. Includes drain, vent, and supply line routing through the existing structure.
Mother-Daughter Dormer Conversions Expanding the second floor to create a separate living unit with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and entrance. Must meet local zoning for accessory dwelling units. We handle the zoning application and approval process.
Attic-to-Living-Space Conversions If your attic has enough height and floor area, a dormer combined with insulation, egress windows, and mechanical systems can turn it into legal living space.
Project Gallery
FAQ
Common Questions About Dormers
Dormer costs on Long Island vary significantly by type and scope. A single gable dormer may start around $25,000 to $40,000. A full shed dormer across the back of the house typically runs $80,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the interior finish, plumbing, and HVAC work included. We provide a free written estimate after evaluating your roof structure.
Most dormer projects take eight to sixteen weeks from permit approval to completion. A single gable dormer is on the shorter end. A full-width shed dormer with interior build-out, bathroom, and HVAC runs longer. We provide a detailed schedule before construction starts.
Yes. Dormers require building permits in every town on Long Island. Most also require zoning review to confirm the addition meets setback, lot coverage, and floor area ratio limits. We handle all permit submissions, zoning applications, and inspections.
It depends on the type. A rear shed dormer is often invisible from the front. Front-facing gable dormers add architectural detail and curb appeal. We design every dormer to complement your home's existing style, not clash with it.
Yes, in most cases. The existing roof is opened and weatherproofed quickly, typically within one to two days. The interior of the house below remains livable throughout construction. We tarp and protect the opening until the new roof is sealed.
Yes. A dormer that adds legal living space, especially bedrooms and bathrooms, directly increases your home's appraised square footage and resale value. Full-width dormers on Long Island Capes are one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make.
Yes. We source matching siding, shingles, window trim, and soffit materials. If your existing materials are discontinued, we find the closest match or coordinate a full-side re-siding so the finish is uniform.
Yes. Every dormer we build includes stamped structural engineering plans from a licensed engineer. This covers load calculations, header sizing, bearing wall modifications, and foundation adequacy. Engineering costs are included in your project proposal.
Yes. Dormer bathrooms are one of our most common requests. We route plumbing through the existing structure, install proper venting, and build the bathroom to code. Full and half bath configurations are both available.
A dormer extends from the existing roofline and uses the existing foundation and first-floor structure. A second-story addition removes the roof entirely and builds a full new floor, which may require foundation reinforcement. Dormers are typically less expensive and faster to build. We evaluate which option makes more sense for your home during the free consultation.
Don't see your question? Call us. We answer every call.
(631) 430-5995Service Area
Serving Long Island for 40+ Years
Our main office is in Hauppauge, and most of our projects are within a 30-minute drive. We regularly work in Smithtown, Commack, Centereach, Huntington, and Brentwood. We also take projects throughout western Suffolk and into Nassau County, including Syosset, Plainview, Hicksville, Jericho, and Woodbury. Whether your home is a ranch in Deer Park or a Colonial in Cold Spring Harbor, we have likely worked on one just like it. If your town is not listed, call anyway. For the right project, we cover all of Long Island.
Additional Cities We Serve
Islip · Bay Shore · Ronkonkoma · Bohemia · Holbrook · Lake Grove · Nesconset · Kings Park · Northport · East Northport · Dix Hills · Melville