Are you interested in adding a new space to your home? A home addition can be very exciting as you can create more living space and add value to your property. If your answer to our previous question is yes, then you’re sure in the right place. When adding a new space you need to consider all the financial aspects so you can make informed decisions about your project.
Whether you’re adding a new bedroom, bathroom, or sunroom, a home addition costs between $22,000 and $74,500, or an average of $47,000.
Stay with us as we’ll discover details about the prices, help you understand the factors that influence home addition costs, and show you how to stay within the budget during your project.
The average cost of home addition
The average cost of home addition depends on numerous factors such as size, materials, location, and the complexity of the project. It typically ranges from $22,000 and $74,500.
In the table below check the average home addition cost:
| Average cost | $47,000 |
| Highest cost | $74,500 |
| Lowest cost | $22,000 |
Now let’s see the price of home addition by square foot.
Home addition cost per square foot
As we already said, the cost of a house addition depends on a lot of factors, and on average it costs from $225 to $350 per square foot.
Check out home addition prices for different sizes:
| Room addition size | Square foot | Average cost |
| 10×10 | 100 | $13,500 – $26,000 |
| 10×20 | 200 | $26,000 – $51,000 |
| 12×12 | 144 | $19,000 – $37,000 |
| 20×20 | 400 | $51,000 – $101,000 |
| 20×30 | 600 | $76,000 – $151,000 |
| 15×40 | 600 | $76,000 – $151,000 |
| 20×40 | 800 | $101,000 – $201,000 |
| 25×40 | 1000 | $126,000 – $251,000 |
Now that we’ve established the prices per square foot, let’s see what factors affect them.
Factors that influence home addition costs
Home addition costs depend on numerous factors, but firstly, it depends on the type of your project, its size, and the scope of work that needs to be done. Factors include:
- Size
- Site prep
- Labor
- Permits
- Materials
- Location
Size
When planning your budget, be aware of the size of your home addition. The bigger the addition is, the more expensive it will be. The final number will depend on the finishes and complexity of the room you’re adding.
Site prep
You will probably need demolition and land excavation to prepare your site for the new addition. The cost of site prep for a home addition on average ranges between $2,000 and $5,000, but in case you’re adding a second story or installing a basement, it can be more expensive and the cost can go up to $11,000.
Labor
A professional contractor and skilled laborers are essential for the success of the home addition project as they ensure safety and compliance with local regulations and building codes.
In the table below, check out the princess for different contractor types:
| Contractor type | Average Cost Range per Hour |
| Painter | $30 – $60 |
| Roofer | $50 – $100 |
| Electrician | $50 – $150 |
| HVAC technician | $60 – $150 |
| Plumber | $60 – $250 |
| Carpenter | $85 – $200 |
| Structural Engineer | $200 – $300 |
Permits
To ensure a smooth building process you’ll need a building permit. The average building permit cost ranges from $140 to $3,000. Always check in with your local building department what kind of permits you need for your specific project as building without a permit can cause legal issues and problems during construction.
Materials
A home addition project requires a lot of building materials.
Some of the building materials that are needed to finish an addition include:
| Home addition material | Average cost per square foot |
| Foundation | $6 – $37 |
| Framing lumber | $6 |
| Insulation | $0.30 – $2 |
| Window | $300 – $1,500 each |
| Exterior door | $600 – $3,000 each |
| Interior door | $300 – $1,250 each |
| Drywall | $2.50 |
| Electrical work | $100 – $200 per hour |
| Plumbing | $700 – $1,800 total |
| Roofing | $150 – $500 per roofing square |
| Siding and trim | $2 – $35 |
| Flooring | $3 – $25 |
| Paint | $200 – $630 |
Location
Costs can vary depending on the area that you’re living. Areas with higher cost of living are more expensive than rural ones. In case you’re living in a very dense neighborhood, you’ll need to take into account additional costs due to limited space that can block access to your property.
Now that we’ve seen which factors influence the costs of home addition, let’s try to understand home addition costs by type.
Home addition costs by type
The cost of adding a room depends on the size of the room that you want to build. If you want to add a room, there are two approaches from which you can choose and you can either build out or up.
If you choose to build out, the average cost goes from $100 to $300 per square foot, while second-story rooms go from $200 to $400 per square foot. In many cases, the cost of room addition will cost less money than room extension.
Check out detailed prices of home additions depending on the type of room that you’re adding:
| Type of room addition | Size (square foot) | Average cost per square foot | Average total cost |
| Bathroom | 40-50 | $275 – $325 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Bedroom | 120-140 | $225 – $275 | $16,000 – $26,000 |
| Living room or family room | 200-225 | $225 – $275 | $26,000 – $41,000 |
| Kitchen | 100-200 | $300 – $350 | $21,000 – $51,000 |
| Primary suite | 300-600 | $250 – $325 | $46,000 – $136,000 |
| Sunroom | 150-300 | $200 – $450 | $16,000 – $106,000 |
Common room addition dimensions cost:
The cost of a 10×10 addition goes from $13,500 to $26,000. This 100-square-foot room is good for a kid’s bedroom, office, storage area, or craft room.
The cost of a 12×12 addition ranges from $19,000 to $37,000. This 144-square-foot space is great for a guest bedroom.
The cost of a 20×20 addition goes from $51,000 to $101,000. The cost of a 400-square-foot home addition is great for adding a family room, living room, or dinner area.
Now that we’ve established home addition costs by type, let’s check the prices of home extensions by type.
Home extension costs by type
Home addition projects can be very demanding and it’s important to have all the information about it. A home addition can involve converting an already existing space, such as a garage or attic space, or adding a second story.
In the table below, we’ll break down the prices for common addition types:
| Addition type | Average cost per square foot |
| Room addition | $175 – $300 |
| Bump-out room extension | $100 – $250 |
| ADU addition | $150 – $350 |
| Attic conversion | $100 – $250 |
| Basement conversion | $100 – $200 |
| Garage conversion | $100 – $250 |
| Second-story addition | $300 – $600+ |
| Sunroom addition | $200 – $450 |
As there are different types of home extensions, there are also two ways of building them. Let’s explore the common question of whether it’s cost-effective to build up or build out.
Is it cheaper to build up or out?
One of the most common questions regarding home addition is whether it is cheaper to build up or out. In some cases, the cheaper option is to build up, for example, a second story, because extending the base floor of a building can be very pricey as it requires a completely new foundation, excavation, and sometimes ground leveling.
The comparison between building up and building out also depends on the scope of the project and your visions and expectations.
An important part of a home addition project is having blueprints, so let’s find out more about it.
Cost of blueprint for an addition
Blueprints are a very important part of the home addition process because they show a visual representation of the planned addition on your property. In most cases, blueprints cost between $0.60 and $4 per square foot. The price is based on the complexity of the project.
Together with a site plan, blueprints provide a detailed drawing with specifications for the construction process of the home addition. Blueprints and site plans ensure that the home addition is done properly and that it blends with its environment.
Now let’s find out if it is possible to DIY some parts of the home addition project or if it is better to hire a professional contractor.
DIY home addition cost vs. hiring a professional contractor
A home addition project is a demanding process that requires a professional contractor.
Although hiring a professional involves higher costs, it also ensures better quality work and a smoother building process. A contractor has all the necessary skills and resources that will help him carry out the project in the best possible way.
DIY projects do save money, but they can have a lot of hidden mistakes along the way because of incompetence and lack of knowledge. Although it’s best to leave everything to the professionals, there are a few things you can do yourself such as painting the interior, installing some forms of flooring, or hooking up the plumbing and electrical features after the wiring is done safely. Later, you can also do the junk removal and landscaping.
In the following text, let’s explore once more all the potential costs that influence overall home addition expenses.
Home addition cost estimator
The overall price of home addition depends on a few factors:
- Size of home addition: If you decide to build a larger addition it will take more time to be done and it also requires more materials and labor which will increase costs.
- Complexity: The more complicated the addition is, the more you will need to spend on labor, and architectural or engineering fees.
- Zoning: In order to meet local requirements you need to provide permits which add up to your overall cost.
- Features: Adding more features means higher building costs. Most home additions require HVAC, electricity, and plumbing, and they add to the cost.
- Interior finishes: Putting high-cost upgrades such as granite counters, expensive appliances or hardwood floors will increase the cost of the home addition.
- Construction delays: Any kind of delays because of bad weather, or material shortages can cause delays that can lead to higher project costs.
Once we’ve estimated and understood all the costs of the home addition project, the next step is exploring different ways of financing it and making the idea come to life.
Pay attention to all possible costs and factors that influence home addition costs to create a comprehensive estimate for your project and be sure that you are prepared for all types of situations.
Financing a home addition
Calculating all the expenses regarding a home addition can make you feel intimidated when you first take a look at all those numbers. A lot of homeowners don’t have the cash immediately on hand to pay during the construction process.
Luckily, there is a range of different loan options that depend on personal financial preferences and situation. The most popular ways to finance your dream home addition project include:
- HELOC loans: This type of loan is ideal for homeowners who borrow their capital for equity.
- Personal loans: They can be inconvenient because they come with higher interest rates but they have a lot of benefits as they offer quick approval and they’re suitable for addressing unforeseen costs during the construction process.
- Credit cards: They also have higher interest rates but are very practical for small project expenses.
- Refinance loans: They require a longer period for approval but offer lower interest rates.
It is advisable to always check in with your financial advisor before starting any type of project. Be sure that you choose the right way to finance it because there are a lot of loan options and you need to choose the one that works best for you.
Now after we’ve found out the ways to finance our project, let’s learn some tips on how to be cost-effective and save our budget from unnecessary expenses.
How to save money on house addition costs
Always plan your budget properly and get opinions from professional contractors. Here are some cost-saving tips when starting a home addition project:
- Try to buy more budget-friendly materials and finishes
- DIY when possible, such as junk removal, decor, painting, and interior finishing to save money on professional labor
- Get more bids from different contractors to find the one who can make your vision come true
- Always check local regulations and laws for tax rebates
- Try to be as flexible as possible with your project schedule because of seasonal deals on labor and materials
After we’ve explored some tips for saving money when it comes to the home addition project, let’s find out what are the most frequently asked questions that will help your doubts.
Home addition costs FAQs
How much time in advance should I start planning my home addition project?
It’s advisable to start planning a home addition project 6-12 months in advance.
Does home addition add value to my home?
Yes, a home addition can significantly increase the value of your home because it adds new and functional living space. Remodeling a kitchen or a bathroom has an ROI of 50% to 80% of their initial costs.
Which home addition is the cheapest?
The cheapest option for home addition is a sunroom or enclosed porch.
What part of a home addition is the most expensive?
The most expensive part of adding a new space to your home is the structural work which includes foundation, roofing, framing as well as labor, materials, and specific designs.
Understanding the costs is crucial for a successful home addition
The home addition project can be demanding but with the right knowledge about costs and prices, it can get you a very positive outcome in enhancing your living space and quality of life. Understanding the costs helps you make better decisions regarding your home addition project and gives you a better approach to the whole process.
Now that you’re well informed about home addition costs, you can confidently enter the process, well-prepared, and sure that you’ll get your dream space.
For a successful home addition, it’s crucial to ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations and highlight the importance of including site plans for permits. For professional assistance in obtaining a site plan, feel free to contact us. We specialize in providing detailed site plans and architectural drawings showing your property’s layout, so let us handle it while you watch your dream home come alive!
