Hello! I am Damian, a 27 year old civil engineer with more than three years of experience in the design of steel structures (for houses, buildings and warehouses).
I am very interested in real estate development, to the point that I am currently doing a postgraduate degree in real estate development.
For some time I have been wanting to take a step towards independence, and start working in something that links steel engineering and real estate development (since in the long term my idea is to dedicate myself to real estate development).
Lately I have been evaluating the possibility of starting a business dedicated to the construction of rooftop extensions in urban centers. I understand that, on the one hand, people need more frequently the contact with "nature" and the "open air" without leaving their comfort zone (their home), and spending the least amount of money possible (that is, without having to move or change apartments). This added to the fact that the density per m2 in urban centers is growing day by day, I see it as a good possibility to combine my knowledge and start getting closer to my long term goal (real estate development).
What is your opinion on this? Do you think it is something that can work today? What do you think I should take into account?
A small example of the extensions to which I am referring:
Thank you very much!
Would you give me your opinion about rooftop expansion business?
byu/DefiantSoup1839 inEntrepreneur
Posted by DefiantSoup1839
1 Comment
As someone who owns an apartment with a rooftop (garden and deck) I think there’s definitely an opportunity here – during Covid lockdown I researched a TON about how to expand my rooftop to be more living space.
The challenge though is not engineering, it’s regulatory; to “build up” owners face a lot of rules,like floor-to-area ratios, building height limits, fire materials/access rules, landmark/zoning issues and such. All of which vary by city, state, and country. If you can come up with a structure that fits in those rules though and lets people add hundreds of square feet to a rooftop, I bet there’s a lot of money in that.