Built-in Seating Costs

There are a few different places in your home that could really benefit from built-in seating. The cost to install this kind of seating option varies, depending on the exact type of seating you need, where it is installed, and the quality level of the finish that you have in mind.

You can add built-in seating to your kitchen (known as a banquette), living room by way of a window seat, or even to your patio or deck space. If you are building a new deck or patio, the costs will be significantly cheaper. To get a better idea of the cost of built-in seating, check out the table below.

Built-in seating: 4 feet in length, including labor and materials.

For various rooms of the home:

Other considerations and costs

• If you choose a curved bench or a unique shape, your labor and materials costs may increase and change the project costs significantly. All averages are based on standard rectangular benches or l-shaped arrangements.
• If you are adding built-in seating that requires a lot of modification to the existing structure, you may need to hire an architect or draftsperson to create a design and approve of the blueprints, which will incur an additional charge.
• You can add built-in seating to any room or area of your home. It’s always recommended to hire professional contractors to complete the work, however, due to the custom nature of the project.
• This estimate does not include permits and taxes. Permits shouldn’t be required for most built-in seating projects, but some municipalities are stricter than others. Your contractor should know about permit requirements in your area.
• If you want to add fabric, cushions, or upholstery to your seating area, this will be at an additional cost.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• Some built-in seating arrangements are basic and simple enough for a more experienced home handyman. However, these are designed to be structural pieces and require a lot of attention to detail, so they are usually best left to the professionals.
• You may be able to save money by purchasing a built-in seating installation or retrofitting kit, or by just purchasing your own materials rather than allowing the contractor to supply them. Compare the options to find the best plan for your project.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.