The whine of power saws on that new addition or remodeling project can signal the exciting sound of your dreams taking shape or they can conjure visions of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Fear is understandable. These major construction projects can be scary and expensive. But doing homework on the front end can help you develop a firm budget, a clear vision and a more fruitful relationship with your contractors. It might also lessen the fear factor. Start with the biggest, broadest questions - What do you hope to accomplish with the project and how much do you have to spend? Then your contractors can help you work your way to the smaller questions about specific materials, etc. That kind of strategic planning should bring clarity to the project, which could be the most valuable asset you bring to the table.
Addition & Remodel Cost Guides
Select your Addition & Remodel project
Remodel a Bathroom
(15,645 projects)
Average National Cost:
$10,162
View Costs in Your Area
Remodel a Kitchen
(6,255 projects)
Average National Cost:
$22,624
View Costs in Your Area
Remodel Multiple Rooms
(4,654 projects)
Average National Cost:
$40,651
View Costs in Your Area
Remodel a Basement
(4,020 projects)
Average National Cost:
$19,228
View Costs in Your Area
Build an Addition
(3,596 projects)
Average National Cost:
$42,607
View Costs in Your Area
Perform Home Renovations and Repairs
(2,010 projects)
Average National Cost:
$10,393
View Costs in Your Area
Build a Patio Enclosure
(1,594 projects)
Average National Cost:
$16,199
View Costs in Your Area
Demo an Interior
(1,342 projects)
Average National Cost:
$2,981
View Costs in Your Area
Install Carpentry Framing
(1,226 projects)
Average National Cost:
$3,381
View Costs in Your Area
Build a Garage
(1,175 projects)
Average National Cost:
$26,104
View Costs in Your Area
Excavate Land
(713 projects)
Average National Cost:
$2,932
View Costs in Your Area
Install a Foundation
(458 projects)
Average National Cost:
$8,447
View Costs in Your Area
Build a Closet
(447 projects)
Average National Cost:
$1,838
View Costs in Your Area
Renovate or Convert a Garage
(430 projects)
Average National Cost:
$11,002
View Costs in Your Area
Build a Barn, Shed or Playhouse
(379 projects)
Average National Cost:
$2,944
View Costs in Your Area
Clear Land or Prepare a Construction Site
(363 projects)
Average National Cost:
$2,698
View Costs in Your Area
Remodel for Disability Accommodation
(238 projects)
Average National Cost:
$4,813
View Costs in Your Area
Hire a Kitchen Designer
(130 projects)
Average National Cost:
$9,186
View Costs in Your Area
Build a Carport
(103 projects)
Average National Cost:
$8,180
View Costs in Your Area
Build an Outdoor Kitchen
(101 projects)
Average National Cost:
$10,170
View Costs in Your Area
Install Steel Beams
(60 projects)
Average National Cost:
$2,831
View Costs in Your Area
Get a Building Permit
(54 projects)
Average National Cost:
$1,043
View Costs in Your Area
Hire a Construction Manager
(35 projects)
Average National Cost:
$18,938
View Costs in Your Area
Workers for an Addition or Remodel
Depending on how your size-and-complexity plans work out, you may find you need one general contractor, or you may find you need a team of specialized professionals. For example, if you are doing a remodel, you may want to start with consulting an interior decorator. But, as with hiring any home professionals, you want to be cautious about whom you choose. For instance, watch out for decorators who offer free services - these can actually be a manufacturer's representative pushing certain products. Besides narrowing your options, you may pay more in the long run. A flat-fee decorator might look like a great bargain on the outset, but make sure that this person won't insist on acting as your exclusive buying agent. You don't want decorators who will steer you toward marked-up products that carry larger commissions for them. Always check prices you get from your decorator against retail.You may also need to hire people that you didn't even think about - such as a structural engineer. The structural engineer inspects the foundation, infrastructure, curtain wall, insulation and building envelope. Through careful inspection and comparison to the approved building plans, the engineer can ensure that the actual building meets the drawings provided and that any necessary corrections are made. While this might be an extra cost that you didnt initially anticipate, the safety of your structure is paramount, and this simple exercise can save you money and legal hassles down the road.
Budget for an Addition or Remodel
Once you have your plans in place, remember that you can always make changes that modify your budget as you go. For example, maybe get a mid grade carpet instead of the highest grade available. Wait for a sale to purchase items like paint, appliances or new windows. Use coupons. Look for rebates. If you have the time, plan your remodel or addition as early as possible and start purchasing items you know you'll need early. This way you are incurring a slight cost over time and not a large cost all at once. You may also be able to afford a higher end product that you would normally not be able to afford if you tried to purchase everything at one time.Addition Exteriors
Because the interior for an addition can be so involved, its easy to forget or discount the effort needed to make the exterior shine. You will need to consider the siding and roofing materials you would like to use to finish this space. And you might weigh the quality of exterior materials against their visibility. Also in the cost of the addition, be careful to factor in the permits needed and the work needed to prepare the foundation.The Value of Your Remodel or Addition
Yes, these big projects can be daunting undertakings. But driving the projects moment must be your goal to reap the benefits once its done. You will have a more beautiful and functional home. And if you execute you project strategically, you'll find that its worth considerably more than when you started. Kind of makes all the sawdust and fear worth it.Share your cost experience
Help others plan and budget for their projects
Find Addition & Remodeling Contractors Near You
1. Houston, TX
2. Chicago, IL
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. Denver, CO
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Miami, FL
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Fort Lauderdale, FL
10. Los Angeles, CA
2. Chicago, IL
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. Denver, CO
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Miami, FL
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Fort Lauderdale, FL
10. Los Angeles, CA
11. Las Vegas, NV
12. Jacksonville, FL
13. Orlando, FL
14. Seattle, WA
15. San Diego, CA
16. Dallas, TX
17. San Jose, CA
18. Indianapolis, IN
19. Pittsburgh, PA
20. Charlotte, NC
12. Jacksonville, FL
13. Orlando, FL
14. Seattle, WA
15. San Diego, CA
16. Dallas, TX
17. San Jose, CA
18. Indianapolis, IN
19. Pittsburgh, PA
20. Charlotte, NC
21. New York, NY
22. Tampa, FL
23. Portland, OR
24. Austin, TX
25. Phoenix, AZ
26. Fort Worth, TX
27. Louisville, KY
28. Columbus, OH
29. Cincinnati, OH
30. Washington, DC
22. Tampa, FL
23. Portland, OR
24. Austin, TX
25. Phoenix, AZ
26. Fort Worth, TX
27. Louisville, KY
28. Columbus, OH
29. Cincinnati, OH
30. Washington, DC
31. Saint Paul, MN
32. Saint Louis, MO
33. Aurora, CO
34. Baltimore, MD
35. Sacramento, CA
36. Kansas City, MO
37. Cleveland, OH
38. Colorado Springs, CO
39. Saint Petersburg, FL
40. El Paso, TX
32. Saint Louis, MO
33. Aurora, CO
34. Baltimore, MD
35. Sacramento, CA
36. Kansas City, MO
37. Cleveland, OH
38. Colorado Springs, CO
39. Saint Petersburg, FL
40. El Paso, TX
41. Salt Lake City, UT
42. Littleton, CO
43. Tucson, AZ
44. Buffalo, NY
45. Virginia Beach, VA
46. Milwaukee, WI
47. Detroit, MI
48. Birmingham, AL
49. Oklahoma City, OK
50. Baton Rouge, LA
42. Littleton, CO
43. Tucson, AZ
44. Buffalo, NY
45. Virginia Beach, VA
46. Milwaukee, WI
47. Detroit, MI
48. Birmingham, AL
49. Oklahoma City, OK
50. Baton Rouge, LA