Do you need more livable space, but don't want to deal with the hassle of selling and buying a new home? Building a custom extension just might be the solution for you. Like with any project, let's consider the cost.
Short Answer?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $80,000 to $250,000 and up.
This is based on real data from our contracts in 2022-2023.
The price will largely depend on the size and layout of your addition. However, there are plenty of ways to save and still build a beautiful and reliable extension without cutting corners.
Let's Break it Down
A simple way to get a rough estimate for the cost of your project is to look at the desired square footage. If you know about how many square feet you want to add, then you can simply multiply that number by the price per square-foot. In general, that price ranges from $200 to $500 per square-foot; with the average price ranging from $270 to $340 in our recent projects.
For example, you're thinking to add another bedroom to your current home. Your desired room size is about 400sqft. For a simple project, you can expect the price per square-foot to be about $275. The calculation would go as follows:
400sqft x $275/sqft = $110,000
However, any additional customizations are not as straight forward. For instance, if you would like to also include a 30sqft bathroom to this addition to make it a master suite, you can expect to pay an additional $25,000. The reason for such a dramatic difference is because the process and materials for a new bathroom extends the duration of the build and necessary experience.
Similarly, if you would like to fit a small kitchenette, which requires a few home runs to the electrical panel, you can expect to pay an additional $35,000 to $45,000. This puts us at a total contract price of about $175,000.
$110,000 + $25,000 + $40,000 = $175,000
As you can see, a simple bedroom addition would result in the most bang for your buck. Further customizations like bathrooms and kitchens would typically increase the price per square-foot significantly.
Ways to Save
The most cost efficient way to build a new addition will come down to choosing the right building materials. For example, using prefabricated shower walls instead of tile, shower curtains instead of glass doors, or building on a slab foundation instead of a raised floor. For a more thorough list for saving on materials, click here.
However, one of the many overlooked methods of saving money on any construction project is choosing the right contractor. When saving, it's just as important to avoid unnecessary expenses that would result from mistakes. Failing to plan, budget, and secure proper permits, incorrectly sizing windows and doors, or hiring unqualified contractors will all result in a much more expensive project. For this reason, finding a trustworthy contractor should be a priority. Here at West Coast Construction Pro, we guarantee a smooth and on budget project. With our many years of industry experience, we'll do it right the first time.