Additions tips

Do The Math Yourself

Use an average of $90/square foot
and multiply that with the area of the
addition you require.

That will give you a working number
to create your budget.

Example: $90/square foot multiplied
by 160 square feet (90x160)

10'x16' basic addition would cost
about $14,400 dollars.

These numbers are general examples.

So you’ve decided you need an addition to your home? You probably already
know that you’ve tackled one of the most expensive home improvement
projects you could choose. But, that’s not a bad thing! On average, we’ve
observed that every dollar spent on an addition is worth an average of two
dollars to the value of a home.

The basic rule is that size dictates price.

The more square

footage

you

want, the more money you’ll spend. So how much

space do you

need?

Here is the first question you should ask

yourself.

Why you

are

building the

new addition?

Additions are used for many purposes, but can be as small as a

bathroom/laundry room. Larger additions expand family living

space.

Only

you know what your family requires.

“Set-backs” are a sometimes a hang-up for urban

homeowners. The

Planning and Inspections Department of

your county or city will have

distance requirements from the

property line. Building permits are

issued by that department.

The City of Dover, Delaware is happy to

answer

code

questions

at (302) 736-7010.

If you don’t have enough space to build “out” from your home, consider
building “up.” A two-story addition is generally no more expensive than a one
story addition. Most addition contractors charge by the square foot. So, if
you add two floors instead of one, you’ll still have the square footage you
need, at about the same price.

A quick note

about basic addition construction

Contractors must build

footings,

foundations, framed floors, roof and walls, to building codes. The codes are

fairly

standard and

controlled by the county or city. Also, contractors have regular

windows,

doors, siding and

roofing products they plan to use. If you, the

homeowner,

don’t

have special requirements, you

will receive a quote based on

a standard

addition.

However, upgrades are another matter.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, additions cost from $75/square foot for unfinished
interiors to $150/square foot for upgraded models.*

Suggestion: use an average of $90/square foot (for a standard addition
with contractor grade interior/exterior finish)
Multiply length times width of the area proposed.
Square foot price multiplied by area = working budget.

(*market conditions dictate

rapid

price changes)

REMEMBER: Upgrades drive your cost up. Most homeowners don’t think about
how upgrades, i.e. elaborate windows and doors, can affect price. But any upgrade
from the basic formula, may surprise the homeowner with a significant cost
difference. Think about your flooring requirements, electrical fixtures and/or
plumbing fixtures. Are you planning to make your addition a showpiece or get
the most for your money?

Choose

wisely! Remember that the cheapest price is not

always the

best

value.

Tip #1 - To keep your addition tightly
budgeted - only build what you need.