Addition Estimates and Costs
To calculate a project’s Home Additions approximate estimate, you have to take a lot of factors into account. This is because, in a Remodeling and Additions project there is no way that the cost can be estimated without making a detailed study of the requirements and needs of a particular family.
For instance, consider a case where a family needs an additional bedroom and bathroom for their children. The existing Rochester home is positioned on a flat lot, with the scope to freely develop wherever needed. The family’s dwelling also has an uncomplicated roof plan that lets the physical connections for the addition to be made without making any major structural changes to the existing home. The plumbing scheme has a capacity for a supplementary bathroom and drain, and water supply connections aren’t a hassle. The process of getting construction permits and procedures is simple, and hence, demands a smaller amount of time and energy and lower charges to the contractor. Moreover, as the structure is very basic and does not involve high cost alterations, it leads to a low cost for this family’s addition.
On the other hand, a young bachelor needing to remodel his bathroom in his Rochester area condo may be charged a much higher rate due to the rigorous rules set by his condo society regarding construction related amendments and specifications. The project definitely involves much more time from the contractor unlike in the case of the first family. This is because the contractor has to go through the condo society’s rules, and then apply for a permit, and so on. All of this involves a lot of time, increased time consumption and increases the project’s cost. The costs and time spent by the contractor for approving the project and obtaining the permits will be higher. We haven’t even begun to take into account the cost of materials required and labor involved in fixing those bathroom fixtures. Furthermore, if he wants a luxurious bathroom, the costs further increase because bathroom tiles, fixtures and accessories are all expensive.
Most contractors and builders will give you large ranges of Price Per Square Foot in order for you to think about the overall costs without going into too much detail. For our examples, the first family could be looking at a price per square foot in the range of $70/foot to $150/foot - all depending on the actual details of the project. Our young lady in the second example could be looking at a much higher cost per sqft. Bathrooms and kitchens are absolutely the most expensive rooms in a home! They contain the majority of a home's systems - electrical, plumbing, HVAC. And because they are either public or intimate spaces, people typically finish them at a much higher level than other rooms in their homes. With her extremely high-end tastes, her small bathroom remodel could cost between $200/ft to as much as $400/ft!
So, if you are trying to figure out how much your specific project will cost - ask yourself the hard questions and really study what you want to do. Of course, the best thing to do is involve a professional! Good Home Additions contractors make a living by helping you answer these questions! Our service is specifically designed to put you in touch with several possible contractors - so that you have the power to choose the one that fits your needs and situation best!
You have to be prepared, though, and learn to communicate your needs and desires as clearly as possible. Start with the basics of your project and then drill down all of the details. And don't get overwhelmed! Realize that this should all be fun and enjoyable! There will be problems, delays and headaches - it is construction after all - but the rewards for a successful Home Addition always outweigh the hardships and difficulties. Stick with your gameplan and be patient!
Here are some questions to start thinking about your Home Additions costs, and to prepare you for a conversation with potential contractors or builders:
1. How large will my Home Additions project be?
- plan in terms of Square Feet
2. How much work needs to be done to the structural part of my project?
- Will excavation or fill be needed? (Is your project going to be on a flat lot, or is there slope, drainage concerns, extensive trees to be moved or removed)
- Will the foundation require special considerations or be difficult?
- If you want to build a second story or add on above a garage, is your existing floor and wall system ready to support another floor? How much demolition and re-construction will be needed below your planned addition in order to support it adequately? Will you need to build a stair system or re-do an existing one?
3. How many doors, windows, or openings are you thinking about or planning on?
- Openings in your building envelope (the exterior walls and roof of your home) are important considerations for heating and cooling, orientation to sunlight and structural design.
4. Are there special considerations for the roof of my Home Addition?
- Do you have a flat roof or commercial style roof? Are there complicated angles that will need to be planned out and executed well?
- What style or level of shingles or tile do you want? More expensive clay tiles or molded rubber slate look-alikes? Simple one tab shingles? Somewhere in-between?
5. And finally, what level of "finish out" are you planning on?
- Expensive, special order door hardware or more standard production-level knobs, hinges and levers?
- Types and square footage of flooring? Carpet and vinyl are typically on the low end, while solid wood, designer tiles, and marble quickly add to your expenses.
- How much custom cabinetry or special carpentry are you thinking about? Built-in bookcases or entertainment systems? Lots of stairs or railings? Will you be able to use production built cabinets or will you require more custom built cabinets for specific purposes?
- What kinds of countertops and hard surface materials do you want to use? Laminate countertops typically are the least expensive option (although there are expensive laminate products available), while solid surface natural stone (granite, marble) or man-made solid surface countertops (quartz, aggregate, concrete, Corian) are more expensive.
- What about lighting and electrical needs?
- Is it going to be a challenge to properly heat and cool your new space? Will you need to add to your existing HVAC system or install a completely new system?
- How much plumbing is involved? What style or kinds of fixtures do you want?
We connect home owners with reputed and reliable contractors. Our prescreened contractors are happy to be of service to you, and we would be glad to help you connect with these contractors. All you have to do is send us your details, and we will connect you with a Home Additions contractor. Our assistance is absolutely FREE OF CHARGE to you. All you've got to do is submit your information to us and wait for our Rochester zone contractors to get in touch with you.
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I have a split level that i am considering adding on to in the Kitchen/Living room area. Either enclosing and finishing the carport or extending off the rear of the kitchen/eating area. This would also involove remodeling the kitchen, hardwood floors, et..
Mark S
I want to add on a bathroom to the existing structure. The house has a brick foundation. The addition would be in the neighborhood of 60 sq feet.
Brent J