Imagine having a space in your home where you can relax and feel the sunlight that fills your home with brightness and warmth. If you’re craving a space like this, the sunroom might be the solution.
Sunrooms or solariums are an excellent addition as they combine outdoor life with indoor life and provide the perfect place to escape when you want peace and rest. Building a sunroom costs from $10,000 to $90,000 with an average cost of $40,000.
Understanding a sunroom’s costs is essential to a successful project. Many factors affect the overall price from designs, materials, and labor expenses. Stay with us as we’ll explain the elements that influence sunroom costs, and show homeowners that it’s possible to have a safe and enjoyable sunroom addition project.
Cost of building a sunroom
A sunroom is a great home addition because it enhances the living space and also adds value to your property. The main question when it comes to any type of building or renovation is how much that home addition costs.
Building a solarium or a sunroom ranges between $10,000 and $90,000. Sunroom addition cost per square foot ranges from $150 to $400. To build a 3-season sunroom you will need from $10,000 to $50,000, for a 4-season sunroom, you’ll need between $30,000 and $90,000.
If you want to add a prefab sunroom or a sun porch be ready to pay from $6,000 to $31,000 while adding a glass solarium costs from $31,000 to $151,000.
Let’s dig into the average prices of adding a sunroom in more detail.
The average cost of a sunroom
The average cost of a solarium mostly depends on its size. If you want a bigger sunroom, be ready to pay more for it.
The most popular sunroom sizes are 12’x12′ and 16’x24′, but let’s see the average costs for other sizes of a sunroom:
| Size | 3-season | 4-season |
| 8×10 | $7,000 – $19,000 | $17,000 – $29,000 |
| 10×10 | $9,000 – $24,000 | $21,000 – $36,000 |
| 10×12 | $10,000 – $28,000 | $25,000 – $43,000 |
| 10×16 | $13,000 – $38,000 | $33,000 – $57,000 |
| 10×20 | $17,000 – $47,000 | $41,000 – $67,000 |
| 12×12 | $12,000 – $34,000 | $29,000 – $48,000 |
| 12×16 | $16,000 – $46,000 | $39,000 – $64,000 |
| 12×20 | $20,000 – $56,000 | $49,000 – $80,000 |
| 14×14 | $16,000 – $46,000 | $40,000 – $66,000 |
| 16×16 | $21,000 – $61,000 | $51,000 – $81,000 |
| 16×24 | $31,000 – $86,000 | $76,000 – $121,000 |
| 20×20 | $33,000 – $91,000 | $81,000 – $125,000 |
3 season room cost
In the table below, check out the cost of building a three-season sunroom:
| Average cost | $30,000 |
| Highest cost | $50,000 |
| Lowest cost | $10,000 |
4 season room cost
In the table below, check out the average, highest, and lowest costs for building a four-season sunroom:
| Average cost | $50,000 |
| Highest cost | $90,000 |
| Lowest cost | $30,000 |
Now that we’ve established the average costs of adding a sunroom, in the following text let’s see the sunroom price per square foot.
Sunroom price per square foot
Sunroom addition cost per square foot ranges from $150 to $400. Adding a 3-season room costs from $90 to $240 per square foot while adding a custom-built 4-season cost from $250 to $450 per square foot.
| Type | Cost per square foot |
| Prefab sunroom kit | $30 – $160 |
| Custom 3-season room | $90 – $240 |
| Custom 4-season room | $250 – $450 |
After understanding the costs per square foot, let’s explore the different types of solariums and their costs to find the one that suits you and your budget the most.
Cost to build a sunroom by type
Sunrooms can be built differently and have versatile designs. Type of the sunroom you decide to build is the first and most important thing that directly affects the costs. Think about what you’ll use your solarium for and put your budget from the start.
Let’s break down the cost of building a sunroom by type:
| Type | Average cost |
| Prefab sunroom | $6,000 – $31,000 |
| 3-season sunroom | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| 4-season sunroom | $30,000 – $90,000 |
| Glass solarium | $35,000 -$80,000 |
| Conservatory or garden room | $6,000 – $90,000 |
| Atrium | $11,000 – $36,000 |
Prefab sunroom costs
Prefab sunrooms are structures that are ready to be attached to your home as they’re manufactured in factories. Their prices go from $6,000 to $31,000. Installing a prefab sunroom is more cost-effective and takes less time than building a sunroom from scratch.
Cost of a 3-season sunroom
This type of sunroom has less insulation than a four-season room which means that during winter it will be colder, and in the summer months hotter. They range from $10,000 to $50,000.
Cost of a 4-season room
An all-season room costs from $250 to $450 per square foot with an average price range from $30,000 to $90,000 depending on the materials, labor, size, and foundation. This type of sunroom is temperature-controlled and has good insulation that is connected to the rest of the house, and can be used all year.
Glass solarium costs
This type of sunroom is completely covered in glass. Not only the walls are made out of glass, but the roof is as well, so the cost to build it can be pricey. The cost of building a glass sunroom goes from $35,000 to $80,000.
Conservatory or garden room cost
A garden room or a conservatory is a greenhouse that has a roof and is enclosed. The cost can vary, but the typical cost ranges from $6,000 to $90,000.
Atrium cost
This type of sunroom is an open interior room that has a glass roof instead of a regular one. A glass atrium cost ranges between $11,000 to $36,000.
After we’ve explored types of sunrooms and their costs, it’s time to consider the factors that influence the overall price.
Sunroom cost estimator and factors that affect them
For a precise cost estimate and understanding of the sunroom price, we need to consider all the factors that affect it. Prices will depend on the size, structural elements, permits, materials, and your special wishes regarding its style and looks. In the following text, let’s break down the cost estimates and see the factors that affect the overall price of a sunroom addition in more detail.
Size
The size of the sunroom plays a significant role when it comes to the price. Most of the sunrooms have a size between 50 and 400 square feet, but the size is customizable and depends on your wishes and design. The average price for sunroom addition per square foot goes from $150 to $400. Large sunrooms cost more to install because they have more materials and require more labor and time to finish. It’s important to choose the size at the beginning and plan a proper budget for your project.
Permits
The construction process always requires a building permit that will ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations. Getting a permit usually takes between 2 and 8 weeks, and it’s an important part of the process as building without a permit can cause legal problems.
The building permit cost ranges between $140 to $3,000 and it ensures that your sunroom addition will meet the standards of your local building department. With a permit, you protect your investment and have a legal document that your project has been inspected and approved by authorities.
Site preparation
In case there is no foundation to build your sunroom on, you will need to clear the land and prepare the site for construction. This can cost from $550 to $6,000, and if you need to remove the trees as well, you will need a tree removal permit, whose price ranges from $65 to $250. Land excavation costs from $1,500 to $5,000 so have these costs in mind as well.
Foundation
The average cost of pouring the foundation for a new sunroom project construction usually ranges from $1,500 and $6,500 depending on the size.
Insulation
The cost of insulation depends on materials and the size of the sunroom. Cost ranges from $550 to $1,550, and if you are building a 4-season deck or sunroom, you need to know that you’ll have higher insulation costs to keep a pleasant temperature during different seasons of the year.
Roof
Roof installation for a sunroom ranges from $4,000 to $9,000. The price depends on the materials and structure type.
Windows and doors
Installing windows for a sunroom costs from $4,000 to $15,500. If you want to add doors and walk out of the sunroom directly to your garden, installing a patio door costs from $1,500 to $11,500, with labor and door units included.
Electricity
You will need to hire a professional licensed electrician for this part of the project, which costs from $180 to $250. Costs that also need to be taken into account are costs for outlets, which cost from $150 to $270 per outlet, ceiling fans which cost from $200 to $400, lighting fixtures which cost $200 to $900 each, and home automation system that costs anywhere from $450 to $2,000.
Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
The cost of adding an air conditioning system to a solarium addition goes from $2,500 to $21,000.
Interior finishing
Interior design and finishes range between $300 to $10,000 depending on your design plans and personal preferences.
Cleanup
When you hire a professional contractor, the cleanup is usually calculated in the price, but in case you’re cleaning a construction by yourself or you decide to hire people who will do it, you will need to pay from $300 to $700. Renting a dumpster for junk material and hauling away costs from $350 to $550.
Landscaping
Landscaping ranges from $1,500 to $6,000 but the price can go higher depending on your landscaping choices.
Location
Location plays a significant role when it comes to sunroom price. The costs depend on the city you live in. In the table below, check out different price ranges for cities in the USA.
| City | Average cost range |
| Los Angeles | $7,000 – $101,000 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $7,000 – $76,000 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $3,000 – $111,000 |
| Aurora, IL | $3,000 – $151,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | $3,000 – $91,000 |
| Atlanta | $3,000 – $91,220 |
| Charlotte, NC | $3,000 – $81,000 |
| Dallas | $3,000 – $81,000 |
| Philadelphia | $3,000 – $121,000 |
| Rochester, NY | $3,000 – $91,000 |
| Portland, ME | $3,000 – $71,000 |
It’s essential to have all of these costs in mind when starting a sunroom construction process. Now that we’ve explored all of the factors and we have our detailed cost estimator, we need to reconsider one more thing and that is whether to DIY or hire a pro for our project.
DIY vs. hiring a professional to build a sunroom
Building a sunroom can be a very complex project. DIY building a sunroom in theory is possible, but it requires much knowledge. It is more cost-effective, but you need to consider many things before putting yourself into a project like this such as the time, effort, and expertise needed. You can add a screen to a porch, learn how to install vinyl plank flooring, paint the room, or add any small design details.
Although DIY can save money, when it comes to a project this big, it’s better to hire a professional as he will have the skills and ensure the job is done safely and efficiently. The project’s structural, electrical, and insulation parts always need to be done by a licensed professional, and local building departments require a contractor to respect codes and zoning regulations.
After considering whether to hire a pro for DIY a sunroom project, let’s see the advantages and disadvantages that sunroom brings.
Pros&cons of building a sunroom
Here are some pros&cons when it comes to sunroom addition:
| Benefits of a sunroom | Disadvantages of sunrooms |
| You get more living space that you can use the way you want (relaxation, entertainment, exercise). | Property taxes will be increased because of added square footage |
| A sunroom provides more natural sunlight, open views, and a better look at your backyard. It makes you feel more connected with the nature surrounding you. | There is a possibility that your home’s insurance rates will increase, and also the bills for heating and cooling. |
| Sunroom addition costs less than a traditional home addition and the construction process is faster. | You will have less privacy in that space due to the glass walls |
| Adds value to your home, and ROI is from 48% to 55%. | During winter a solarium has limited usability because of weather conditions and because it’s unheated. |
| Your home looks more appealing and it will more likely sell faster. | There can be potential maintenance requirements such as cleaning the big windows and frames. |
To make an informed decision regarding your project and have a successful solarium addition, it’s crucial to understand all the aspects of it and its pros and cons. Now, after we’ve established advantages and disadvantages, let’s see strategies and tips on how to save money during your sunroom addition project.
How to save money when building a sunroom?
A sunroom addition can be a very expensive project, so it’s important to budget it wisely. Here are some tips on how to save money when it comes to your sunroom addition:
- Think about prefab sunrooms as it’s less expensive than custom-built ones.
- Choose a smaller space for your sunroom or turn an existing space into one.
- Cut the need for insulation by choosing a three-season sunroom.
- Always compare estimates and speak with more designer contractors.
- Try to be as flexible as possible with your project’s due date and allow contractors to find more budget-friendly materials.
Understanding these cost-saving tips is essential to stay within your budget during the sunroom addition process. Now, let’s address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding sunrooms and their costs.
Sunroom prices FAQs
Does adding a sunroom increase taxes?
Yes, it can influence property taxes because the sunroom addition can increase the assessed value of your home. Increasing depends on numerous factors so it’s always advisable to consult with a tax professional.
What is the cost of sunroom installation?
The cost of sunroom installation goes from $10,000 to $90,000 for more complex projects.
How much does a small sunroom cost?
The cost of building a small sunroom depends on the size, exactly how small it is, type, design, location, and what materials are used. For example, an 8×10 3-season sunroom costs from $7,000 to $19,000, while an 8×10 4-season sunroom costs from $17,000 to $29,000.
Does a sunroom add value to my home?
Yes, a well-designed sunroom can add value to your home, and ROI is approximately 48% to 55% which makes the sunroom a great addition to the home and an even better investment.
How much does a sunroom remodel cost?
A sunroom remodel can range between $6,000 to $31,000, but the exact costs depend on the complexity of the project, size, materials, design, and labor.
What is the cost of an enclosed sunroom?
Enclosed sunroom costs from $21,000 to $51,000 or more, as it depends on numerous factors during the construction process such as labor, materials, design, and size.
Building a sunroom can be a valuable addition to your home
The sunroom offers a place to relax and enjoy nature with your friends and family. It’s a great and valuable addition because it can increase the overall value of the property. A sunroom offers additional living space and a safe spot that radiates with peace. Whether it’s a space for chilling or entertaining guests, investing in a sunroom has long-term benefits.
A crucial factor for a successful sunroom addition is careful planning and guidance from experienced professionals. Always consider all the costs and before the addition process determine a budget that you’ll follow. Although very complex, with the right knowledge about costs, a sunroom project can be done properly and provide your home with more comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Remember to follow building codes and regulations during the process, which also include a site plan for permits, that will ensure that your project is running smoothly and according to local building department rules.
In case you need help with obtaining the necessary permits and a site plan, you can contact us, as we specialize in providing a detailed overview of the entire property. Getting your dream sunroom is our concern and we will very easily assist you to turn your ideas into reality!
