How much does Room additions cost?

Based on 825 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$1668

TYPICAL 

$5000

$9539

Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

  • The price of a home addition depends on the type, size, and features of the room being built

  • Basic remodeling costs are calculated by the square foot

  • Labor expenses include a general contractor’s team and subcontractors, such as plumbers and electricians

When you need extra space in your house and moving to a new home isn’t an option, you may opt for home remodeling to boost the usable square footage in your living space. This type of remodeling can convert your one-story home into a two-story; add on a new bathroom, sunroom, or family room; or expand the master bedroom, living room, or kitchen. 

People either build out if there’s space to expand, or build up by adding a new second floor. Building an extension to the first floor (or “bump out”) usually requires enlarging the house’s foundation. A second-story addition may require beefing up the house’s framing to support the added weight. 

Room additions are a major home-improvement project that can’t typically be done on a DIY basis. You’ll need a professional general contractor, who may hire subcontractors, such as plumbers and electricians, to turn your plans into reality. 

In this guide, you’ll learn about the average costs of building a new addition to your home.

Learn more: 10 mistakes to avoid when hiring a contractor.

Total cost of room additions

The national average cost for a room addition, including materials and labor, is $400–600 per square foot of new space. That means a 10×14-foot bedroom, built with standard materials, will cost about $56,000–84,000. A 14×16-foot family room will cost about $90,000–135,000

For materials alone, you’ll pay an average of $60–250 per square foot. That includes items such as drywall, floor framing, roof, doors, and windows, along with basic finishing such as drywall, painting, and vinyl floor tiles. Choosing high-end materials can push prices toward the higher end of the range (or beyond). A larger room with more expensive materials, fixtures, and finishing can fetch $350+ per square foot, especially in pricey urban areas.

Costs by type of room

The kind of room you’re building will determine what features it requires. In addition to framing, walls, and floor finishes, all rooms need electrical work and usually HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). A kitchen addition or bathroom addition require the same features, as well as plumbing and related fixtures.

Here are average cost estimates for adding a room, according to type:

  • Master suite: $42,200–98,250

  • In-law suite: $60,000–110,000

  • Bathroom: $21,000–61,000

  • Home office: $18,000–35,000

  • Kitchen: $41,000–70,000

  • Sunroom: $21,000–68,300

  • Mudroom: $7,000–15,500

  • Balcony: $3,500–9,000

  • Porch: $13,500–27,000

  • Garage: $19,500–42,300

  • Laundry room: $7,000–10,000

Individual room addition costs

The following are some specific expenses you’re likely to incur as part of the total cost of your room addition.

Labor costs

  • Site preparation and excavation: $40–150 per hour

  • Electrical work: $50–100 per hour

  • Plumbing work: $50–200 per hour

  • Window and door installation: $40 per hour

Building costs

  • New foundation: $4–25 per square foot

  • Roofing: $7-10 per square foot, depending on roofing materials and design

  • Framing: $7–16 per square foot

  • Flooring: $3–22 per square foot

  • Drywall: $1–3 per square foot

  • Insulation: $1–4 per square foot

  • Siding and trim: $2–5 per square foot

Permits and fees

  • Architectural fees: $150–400 per hour. An architect will help integrate the new room seamlessly into the existing house structure, and will review structural support and other safety factors.

  • Permits: These can range from $35–2,000, but usually cost $200-600. Local government building permits typically cost $5–21 per $1,000 spent on a room-addition project.

Cost factors 

These added elements can affect the price of your room-addition project.

  • Building up or out. Adding rooms that create a second or third story is usually cheaper than “bump out” rooms on the first floor, because you avoid the cost of expanding your home’s foundation. For a typical addition, build-up methods can save as much as $6,000. One exception: If adding another story requires reinforcing the house structure or building additional support beams, that can cancel out any cost savings.

  • Quality and complexity. A high-end room addition with steel supports, high ceilings, custom built-in fixtures, and luxury finishes (such as granite countertops) will be much more expensive than a standard room. In addition to more expensive materials, this kind of project requires longer construction times.

How to save money

Here are some ways to limit your costs.

  • Compare estimates. Once you’ve decided on the type of addition you want, look for trustworthy and qualified contractors in your area, and get at least 2–3 cost estimates for the project.

  • Look for tax credits and refunds. When you choose high efficiency appliances and renewable-energy systems, federal or state tax credits or other incentives may offset some of the cost.

  • Consider a prefab room. If your goal is a simple living room or bedroom addition, a prefabricated add-on is often more affordable than building from scratch. A 12×12-foot prefab bedroom costs about $17,500, while a 20×20-foot family room costs an average of $48,000. Keep in mind that prefabricated rooms severely limit your customization options and might not merge well with the existing house.

  • Plan ahead. Don’t make changes to your plans when construction is already underway. This can add to your costs and cause construction delays. 

FAQs

How much does it cost to build a 12×12 room?
The cost of building an addition to your home depends on the type of room, along with its features, quality of materials, and other options. A 12×12-foot room with typical materials ranges from $56,000–84,000, including labor. You’ll pay more for high-end features, plumbing fixtures, or if your home’s foundation needs to be expanded.

Does a room addition add to the resale value of your home?
Yes, but the return on investment usually won’t make up for all of your construction costs. You’ll typically recoup about half of any room addition costs in increased home value when you decide to sell, according to the 2022 Cost vs. Value Report in Remodeling magazine.

Do I need building permits to add a room?
Most local authorities require a permit whenever you undertake a major change to your home’s footprint. For a typical home-addition project, permits usually cost $200–600. A contractor may apply for the permits, but the homeowner is responsible for the fees.

Find a contractor in your area.

How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?

Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.

How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?

Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.

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