How much does it cost to build an addition to your home?
The mid-range cost of building a home addition is around $35,000. While the cost of a home addition can range from about $20,000 to $60,000, a high-end project can cost up to $100,000. The total cost of your building project will depend on the type of room you’re adding, square footage, and the labor costs in your area.
Table of Contents:
- How much does it cost to build an addition to your home?
- How much do home additions cost by room?
- What are some of the basic cost factors associated with a home addition?
For many homeowners, adding an additional room makes a lot more sense than moving to a larger property. If you like your home and neighborhood or have a tight budget in mind, staying put and adding a new space to your property can be a great choice. Perhaps you simply need some extra space for a growing family, or you’re ready to add on that sunroom you’ve always wanted. Whatever the case, home additions can offer a good return on investment if done with precision and care. Especially if you’re adding a master bedroom or a second story, this could help raise the value of your home.
Most of the time, building an addition is not a home improvement project you can take on yourself. To ensure your project goes smoothly, it’s wise to hire a home additions contractor. A professional will know how to obtain a building permit, build your addition to code and make sure you end up with construction that will last. Construction costs can be significant, so it’s a good idea to call up a few companies to make sure you’re getting a fair quote. While not all home addition projects require it, it can also be helpful to hire an architect to make sure the new construction doesn’t simply look tacked on. If you’re concerned about your home’s resale value, an architect will be able to plan an addition that flows with the rest of the home.
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How much do home additions cost by room?
The cost of your home addition will be determined largely by the type of room you’re building. Different rooms come with different needs, like plumbing for bathrooms or lots of windows for a sunroom. To get an estimate for your addition, check out the cost guide below, broken down by room.
Bedroom/Additional Room
Building an extra room, which may or may not be used as a bedroom, is one of the more affordable types of additions. A basic room can simply be hooked up to the home’s existing HVAC and electrical systems and usually needs only one or two windows and one door.
- Cost: It typically costs about $100 to $200 per square foot to build a bedroom or an extra room. The average cost to build a 200-square-foot room would be about $20,000 to $40,000.
You’ll also have to decide whether to build out or to build up. Adding a room on the first story of your home will require laying more foundation, and you’ll need to obtain a permit to increase the footprint of your property. If you decide to build a floor addition or another room on the second story, this might require adding a staircase and strengthening your existing foundation. You should also make sure a second-story addition is in compliance with any building-height rules your city might have.
Related: What to Consider With a Second-Story Addition
Sunroom
Sunrooms can be a bit more costly to build than basic rooms, as they require lots of windows. Still, you can keep costs down by forgoing heat and using the room only in the warmer months or by buying a prefabricated sunroom.
- Cost: It typically costs about $200 to $350 per square foot to build a sunroom. The average cost to build a 200-square-foot sunroom would be about $40,000 to $70,000. If you buy a prefabricated sunroom, the total cost will be lower, around $10,000 to $20,000.
The cost of a sunroom is dictated largely by the materials used. Sunrooms are often built out of aluminum, vinyl or wood, with aluminum being the most affordable and wood the most expensive. Of course, in a sunroom, the type of windows you choose will also have a big impact on price. Windows cost about $300 to $700 each, including installation. Single-, double- and triple-pane windows offer different levels of insulation and come with different price points. Keep in mind that electrical contractors charge anywhere from $50 to $100 an hour. Additionally, to hook your sunroom up to an existing HVAC system, it’ll usually cost around $1,000. One benefit of a sunroom is that you might be able to forgo electrical or heating systems in the room if you plan to use it only on warmer days.
Need some inspiration? Browse sunroom ideas on Houzz.
Bathroom
Bathrooms range widely in price, from small and functional rooms to spa-like ensuites. Still, because plumbing, a toilet, a sink and perhaps a shower or bath are all musts, the cost of a bathroom addition can be significant.
- Cost: It typically costs around $350 to $600 per square foot to build a new bathroom. A basic bathroom can be around 40 square feet, while a luxurious bathroom can be up to 100 square feet. That means the average cost to build a new bathroom is anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000.
The cost to install or expand plumbing is usually between $1,000 and $5,000, and a toilet can cost $200 to $500. Showers and bathtubs often range in price from about $1,000 to $4,000. Adding one or multiple sinks can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of countertops and flooring, which vary in price depending on the materials you choose. While the costs for a new bathroom might seem like a lot, having an extra bathroom in your home can add lasting value. Especially if you have several people living in a home, increasing the number of bathrooms can bring ease and versatility to your living space.
Not sure where to begin? Discover bathroom ideas on Houzz.
Detached Addition
Detached additions can come in the form of a simple prefabricated shed or an extra room for hobbies or overnight guests. Of course, depending on the scope and size, this sort of addition can vary in price, although it is usually a good value for what you get.
- Cost: It typically costs around $100 to $200 per square foot to build a detached addition. The average cost to build a 150-square-foot detached addition ranges from about $15,000 to $30,000.
The cost of a detached addition will vary depending on whether you need electrical or HVAC systems set up. Because the space is separate from the main house, installing these amenities will cost more. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of roofing. Still, detached additions can add a lot of value to your home if they’re big enough for someone to stay in. Besides offering a convenient in-law unit for visiting grandparents, a detached addition could also be rented out to turn a profit.
If you’ve got extra storage in mind, find detached garage ideas on Houzz.
What are some of the basic cost factors associated with a home addition?
Whatever sort of addition you might be planning for your home, many of the same basic costs and elements will apply. Many additions will need an electrical system installed, as well as HVAC, plumbing, doors and windows. Read on to see some of the basic costs associated with any home addition.
- Electrical: Electricians typically charge between $50 and $100 an hour and will make sure your wiring is up to code. For a single room in which you are extending an existing system, installation could cost around $100 to $200. If you are setting up a new system in a detached addition, this could cost around $1,000 to $2,000. It is recommended to have a professional set up your electrical wiring, since errors can be dangerous.
- HVAC: Setting up heating or cooling in your home addition can range in cost from about $1,000 to $5,000. Costs will vary depending on whether you are simply connecting to an existing system in your home or installing a whole new system.
- Plumbing: Plumbing costs range between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on whether you are putting in a whole new system or simply hooking your pipes up to existing plumbing.
- Windows: Windows cost about $300 to $700 each, but vary in price depending on the amount of insulation and materials used. Most window installation projects cost around $2,000 to $5,000 in total. Different styles of windows, like single-hung, sliding or casement, come at different price points as well.
- Doors: Doors by themselves can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 each. If you include installation costs, the price of putting in a door ranges from $500 to $1,000.
- Flooring: Flooring ranges widely in price, from about $1 to $15 per square foot depending on the materials you choose. Some carpets and vinyl flooring can be very affordable, while hardwood floors are usually more expensive. For a ballpark figure, the average cost of installing flooring in a 150-square-foot addition is around $750 to $1,500.
- Molding: If you have molding in the rest of your home and want your addition to blend right in, you’ll need to factor in the cost of molding installation. In general, it costs around $3 to $8 per square foot to install molding, or around $450 to $1,200 for a 150-square-foot addition.
- Drywall: To finish the interior of your addition, you’ll need to add drywall to the frame. The total cost of installing drywall in a home addition typically ranges from around $250 to $350.
- Foundation: Building a home addition usually requires site preparation and laying a new foundation or strengthening your existing one. It typically costs around $6 to $10 per square foot to lay a concrete foundation and install footings for support, or $900 to $1,500 for a 150-square-foot addition.
- Roofing: Depending on the layout of your home, your addition might also need roofing installed. The cost to install new roofing ranges from about $3 to $5 per square foot, or about $500 to $1,000. Of course, this price can vary based on the type of roofing materials you choose.
- Siding: To ensure the exterior of your addition matches the rest of your home, you’ll need to add siding, which can range in price from around $2 to $10 per square foot, or $300 to $1,500 for a 150-square-foot addition.
Of course, these are just some of the costs associated with building a home addition, and other elements may or may not be needed, depending on the particular construction. Once your home addition is completed, you may also want to hire painters or landscapers to put on the finishing touches.