How Much Does an Addition Cost?

 

This question is usually one of the first half dozen questions I am asked when responding to a potential customer.  When I started in the business, design build was in its infancy, and it has really changed the industry.  Back in 1986, I would receive inquiries to produce costs for the architectural plans that were sent to me.  It turned into a frustrating process as the owner’s loved their plans that they had ten thousand dollars invested in.  However, the cost of building those plans was twice as much as their planned budget.

In less than a year of this futility, I started talking about costs typically in our first phone conversation. This is really the best use of everyone’s time.  Many customers would often refer to square foot costs.  When building new homes, the square foot costs apply more accurately.  The fixed costs like plans, management time, allowances for driveways, decks etc. are much easier to project.

 

 

Two main factors drive the cost: how big the project is and what you put in it. For example, building a guest bedroom per square foot cost is much less than building a new kitchen or bathroom per square foot.

Square foot numbers for additions don’t work as well. 

 

For example:

1.Will the new build require an over frame to attach it to the existing roof or will it be built against a side wall?

2. How will the new space be airconditioned and heated?  Sometimes you can duct off the existing system but in most cases that is not the way to go.  An existing system, if sized properly, works efficiently covering the existing space.  If you extend it beyond its capabilities, none of the spaces will be comfortable when the addition is finished.

3.Will the addition be entered from a door that was removed or will a structural beam and columns be required?

4. Does the addition have a kitchen and/or a bathroom?  The square foot cost for those expensive spaces greatly increases the overall square footage cost especially if the room is under 250 sq ft.   

5. How many windows do you want in your addition/do you want skylights?

6. What type of flooring?

7.Will there be built ins?

8. Is a raised ceiling important? 

The variables go on and on! 

 

We’re building a 770 square foot sunroom addition right now.  This is not a typical request as some complete houses are 900 square feet.  The square footage does help in lowering the square foot cost in this case because the fixed costs are spread out.

 

 

We work in the geographic area in-between Washington and Baltimore.  Based on market studies, central Maryland building costs are on the higher side of the national averages.  Our customers typically are not looking for entry level finishes or projects on the smaller side. 

After listening to a customer’s vision and considering all the existing variables, I will typically recommend budgets to assist with planning.

 

 

Screen Porches                                                  $60,00-100,000

Additions                                                             $75,000 - ?

Sunrooms                                                           $85,000-150,000

In Law Suites                                                      $150,000 - ?