DIYbanter - Help pls: adding 2nd floor to Cape Cod-style house

Theo wrote:
A less web-enabled friend is renovating a 1930s Cape in NY state, adding
second floor. Wants to move staircase for better use of floor area;
likes some of the ideas in Jane Gitlan's book. He would appreciate
direction to other sources, plans (is willing to pay).

If NY state is like the other northeastern states I have had experience
with, he is gonna have to hire an architect anyway, so may as well hire
them now for professional site survey and advice. I do hope he at least
had an engineer or experienced carpenter check out the structure to see
if it will hold a second floor. (I am assuming shed dormer on back,
basically folding half the roof up and tucking walls under it?)Even if
an AIA stamp is not required, an experienced designer can save many
times what they charge, in avoided mistakes and lessons learned from
other projects.

As to dream-book sources- any full line bookstore/newsstand, and most
libraries. Library usually also has web access- if your friend goes when
school is in session, he may be able to get several hours online without
getting kicked off.

aem sends...