Home Additions and remodeling costs guide

January 26, 2022

Are you ready to renovate your home? Before you say yes, you need to know that so many factors go into designing the upgrade for your home (or business). You may have the vision in your head, but it won’t be as simple as you imagine it to be. You’ll need to understand the breakdown of remodeling costs and additions.

Depending on the building addition project you want to pursue, you’ll want to have a flexible mind and a solid budget. The cost of materials, the time to finish the project, and how you want the project to go are major things to consider.

Today, we’ll give you a guide on additions and remodel costs.

Size and Scope of Remodeling Costs

Regardless of the construction project you have in mind, the size of the project will play a huge role in the overall price. The larger the project, the more you’ll need to spend.

According to HomeGuide, the average cost range for a home addition is between $86 and $208 per square foot. Generally, the average home will cost roughly upper $40K.

Note that these estimates apply for an extra room, perhaps a bedroom for example. You could very well spend much less or much more than these averages, depending on what the project is. For example, the addition and remodel cost of a garage will vastly differ from a kitchen.

Depending on the materials used (which we’ll get to later) the costs for each project can vary greatly. For example, a screened-in porch addition (a structure with foundation, roof, electric and screens) starts at around $100K. While a master bathroom renovation in a 2,000–2,500 sqr ft home can cost anywhere from $60–$90K.

Money Saving Tip: Ask Yourself Questions

The cost of any home or business addition project will be based on square footage. In many cases, the more square feet the project takes up, the more it’ll cost. So before you go through with the blueprinting, ask yourself these questions:

Will this project benefit me in the long run?
How important is it for this project to be completed?
Is it necessary to get this project completed right away?
What do I want to accomplish with this addition or remodeling?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide what elements of the project you can save on costs with.

For example, let’s say you’re doing some home renovations to make the space more accommodating to people with disabilities. You could get by with making some minor adjustments like lowering the height of switches and knobs or replacing bathroom floor tiles. Or maybe you have to remodel the bathroom to be overall accessible.

Read: How much does home remodeling for a disability accommodation cost?

If you ask yourself the above questions, you’ll gain a better idea of what elements of the project are absolute needs versus desirables. Make sure you’re being considerate of anyone else who lives in or frequently visits your home.

Materials

The kind of materials you’ll need and the costs will vary for each project, but in general, it’ll consist of the following:

Flooring
Plumbing system
Lighting
Area fixtures (think cabinets, doors, etc.)
Paint
Drywall

Of course, you’ll potentially need much more material than this. You’ll also need an abundance of it depending on how much square footage the project requires.

Some of the most common home addition and remodeling projects include kitchen or bathroom remodels, and patio, basement suite, or room additions.

Read: the most popular home remodeling projects and their costs

Projects like these will take more material as it involves either replacing the old or installing brand new material in the areas.

Due to the pandemic, shopping for nearly everything has gotten more expensive. And that includes the prices of building materials. BobVilla explains that the building supplies that saw a jump in price include wood, iron and steel, plumbing fixtures, and painting supplies. This added to an overall increase in remodeling costs.

Money Saving Tip: Research the Material Types

No two products are made the same. Some are made with cheaper resources than others. Generally, these will be cheaper upfront but it may end up costing you more in the long run by needing to replace them more often.

Products made with higher-quality materials will cost more upfront, but they may save you money in the long run, directly and indirectly. For example, if part of your remodeling involves replacing windows, getting energy-efficient windows will help keep heat and cool air inside the home for the winter and summer.

Do research on material that’s budget-friendly but also reliable; find the sweet spot in the middle of cheap and high-tier. Remember: expensive does NOT always equal high quality.

Labor and Permits

Up to half of the costs of a home remodel and addition goes towards the labor. And you definitely shouldn’t try to go the cheap route with labor either. You’re paying for skilled laborers to handle every element of the project.

Depending on the project, you may need to secure permits as well. Don’t try to start any project without securing all the necessary paperwork. Failing to do so will put your safety at risk or –at worst– lead to your building addition being torn down.

These permits ensure that your project meets building codes for the city you live or do business in.

Before finding your labor, make sure to do thorough research. A good quality contractor will:

Have valid credentials
Be communicative throughout the project’s start to finish
Have a list of references

Read: what to look for in a home addition contractor

Don’t work with the cheapest contractor just because they fit your budget. That will end up costing you later on in repairs due to lackluster quality of work or material.

Is it Better to Build up or Build out?

When expanding your home or place of business, you have two options: building up or building out. And either option will impact your remodeling costs.

If you choose to build up, the main benefit is that you’ll be adding space without worrying about taking up more square footage on the land. However, it’s the more expensive way of adding space. Additionally, some cities limit or prohibit how high up a building can be according to HGTV.

Building out is the less expensive way of adding space. For example, the cost of adding a garage to your home will be less expensive than adding an attic. However, you lose yard space by zoning out. Ensure that you’re comfortable with where on your property the project will occur.

Let the Experts at Heitmeyer Handle Your Addition and Remodel Projects

Whether it’s a simple kitchen remodel, a master bathroom revamp, a screened-in porch addition or even remodeling homes from the first floor up, we’re here to help.

If you have a home or business that you want to expand, reach out to our team. Our years of experience and positive reviews ensure you’ll be beyond satisfied with the results.

Heitmeyer Building & Design is a Construction company with over 100 years of experience in commercial construction and residential construction located in Pickerington, Ohio.