HowMuchStuff

Home Addition Cost Calculator

By Taro Schenker | Updated February 19, 2026

Quick Answer: A home addition costs $80–$250+ per square foot installed. A 200 sq ft bedroom runs $20,000–$50,000. Bathroom additions cost $25,000–$75,000. Materials range from $25–$130/sq ft depending on room type and quality. Labor runs $15–$25/sq ft using carpenter rates of $21.77–$31.75/hr nationally. Add $6,300–$12,000 for foundation, permits, architectural plans, HVAC extension, and electrical hookup. Enter your ZIP for location-specific pricing, plus Census-sourced local housing data showing how the addition cost compares to your area's median home value — essential for ROI planning.

Calculate how much a home addition costs. Select the room type, size, quality level, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full breakdown of materials, labor, and fixed costs.

Home Addition Cost by Type

Addition TypeCost/Sq FtTypical SizeTotal Range
Bedroom$100–$250/sq ft200 sq ft$20,000–$50,000
Bathroom$130–$300/sq ft75 sq ft$25,000–$75,000
Sunroom$80–$200/sq ft200 sq ft$15,000–$40,000
Garage$60–$150/sq ft400 sq ft$20,000–$50,000

How Home Addition Cost Is Calculated

Total = (Material + Labor + Fixed Costs) × 1.20 markup
  1. Materials: Square footage × material rate per sq ft ($25–$130 depending on type and quality). Includes framing, sheathing, roofing, siding, insulation, drywall, flooring, and finish materials.
  2. Labor: Square footage × hours per sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Bathroom additions require the most labor at 0.55 hr/sq ft due to plumbing and tile work.
  3. Fixed costs: Foundation/slab ($2,000–$3,500), permits ($1,000–$1,500), architectural plans ($800–$1,500), HVAC extension ($0–$2,000), electrical hookup ($800–$1,500), and plumbing rough-in ($3,000 for bathrooms).
  4. Contractor markup: 20% for general contractor overhead, profit, and project management.

Home Addition ROI by Type

Addition TypeAvg CostValue AddedROI
Bathroom Addition$50,000$30,000–$35,00060–70%
Master Suite$75,000$41,000–$49,00055–65%
Garage$35,000$18,000–$21,00050–60%
Sunroom$30,000$13,500–$16,50045–55%

Formula Summary

Home Addition Cost Formula: Total cost includes materials (per sq ft), burdened labor, and fixed costs for foundation/permits/plans, multiplied by contractor markup.

Total = (A × M + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20

where A = square footage, M = material cost/sq ft, H = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly trade rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.

TypeMaterial $/sq ft (mid)Labor hr/sq ftFixed Costs
Bedroom$650.45$9,500
Bathroom$850.55$11,500
Sunroom$550.35$6,500
Garage$400.30$6,300

Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include foundation/slab, permits, architectural plans, HVAC extension, electrical hookup, and plumbing rough-in (bathrooms only). Trade: carpenters (SOC 47-2031). Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.

Additional data: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates for ZIP-level housing context (median home value, year built, rooms). BLS PPI lumber and composite construction materials index (monthly via FRED). Housing data used for addition ROI context.

Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Metro25th %ileMean75th %ile
New York$27.07$37.32$46.01
Los Angeles$26.91$36.97$47.02
Chicago$24.11$38.11$51.92
Dallas$20.33$24.01$26.76
Houston$22.32$24.93$28.40
Washington$23.86$30.71$34.34
Philadelphia$24.09$32.62$36.99
Miami$20.50$24.57$27.85
Atlanta$22.03$24.84$28.25
Phoenix$22.72$28.74$34.55

Related Calculators

Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.

Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a home addition cost?
A home addition costs $80–$250+ per square foot, depending on the room type and quality. A 200 sq ft bedroom addition costs $20,000–$50,000. A bathroom addition runs $25,000–$75,000 due to plumbing. A sunroom costs $15,000–$40,000. A two-car garage addition costs $20,000–$50,000. Foundation, permits, and plans add $5,000–$12,000 in fixed costs.
How much does it cost to add a bedroom to a house?
A bedroom addition costs $20,000–$60,000 for a 200 sq ft room ($100–$300/sq ft). Basic: $80–$120/sq ft with standard finishes. Mid-range: $120–$180/sq ft with upgraded flooring and trim. Premium: $180–$300/sq ft with custom built-ins and high-end finishes. HVAC extension ($2,000), electrical ($1,500), foundation ($3,000), and permits ($1,500) are additional fixed costs.
How much does a bathroom addition cost?
A bathroom addition costs $25,000–$75,000 depending on size and quality. A half bath (30–50 sq ft) runs $15,000–$25,000. A full bath (50–100 sq ft) costs $25,000–$50,000. A master bath (100+ sq ft) runs $40,000–$75,000+. Plumbing rough-in ($3,000), waterproofing, and tile work make bathrooms 30–40% more expensive per square foot than bedrooms.
Is a home addition worth the investment?
Home additions typically recoup 50–70% of their cost at resale. Bathroom additions have the best ROI (60–70%). Master suites recoup about 55–65%. Sunrooms return only 45–55%. The ROI is higher in competitive housing markets and when the addition keeps the home in line with neighborhood values. Going significantly over neighboring home values reduces return.
How does my home's current value affect addition ROI?
Home additions that push your total home value significantly above neighborhood medians recover less at resale. A $50,000 addition on a $200,000 home in a $250,000 neighborhood is reasonable. The same addition on a $400,000 home in a $300,000 neighborhood may over-improve the property. Our calculator shows your ZIP code's median home value from Census Bureau data and computes your addition cost as a percentage, helping you gauge whether the investment fits your market.
How long does it take to build a home addition?
A typical home addition takes 3–6 months from permit to completion. Bedroom: 2–4 months. Bathroom: 3–5 months (plumbing adds time). Sunroom: 2–3 months. Garage: 2–4 months. Permit approval takes 2–8 weeks depending on jurisdiction. Weather delays, inspection schedules, and supply chain issues can add 2–6 weeks.
Do I need a permit for a home addition?
Yes, virtually all home additions require a building permit. Most jurisdictions require architectural plans, structural engineering approval, and inspections at foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and final stages. Permit costs range from $500–$3,000+ depending on project size and location. Building without a permit can result in fines, forced demolition, and problems selling the home.