Design Home Addition Costs

When calculating the cost of adding a new space to a home, also known as planning or designing a home addition, there are going to be a lot of moving pieces.

Designing a home addition is the crucial first step that has to occur long before the ground is broken and any excavation or construction begins. In this article, we will discuss the specific costs related to designing a home addition that includes a, which would add 192 square feet to an existing home.

The average price for addition design services will include more than just basic work and must consider such factors as excavation, basic planning, formal design, and more. The design services usually comprise roughly 12% or more of the budget for the project.

Budget for Designing a Home Addition: 12x16 foot single-story room.

Other considerations and costs

• The type of addition you choose will also impact the cost.
• In addition to flat design and architectural fees, there may be consultations that are billed by the hour and which should never last more than four hours in total for a single room. At approximately $100 per hour, this may increase the budget by upwards of $400.
• Taxes and permit fees are not included in this estimate.
• Painting and furnishing the space aren’t included, as costs vary significantly based on the type of addition. Working with a designer on such choices may also boost the price of the design phase, with designers typically requiring a per hour rate of $100 or more.
• If your home has a basement, no concrete slab will be needed. This can save you money on materials and labor costs.

DIY considerations

• It is often an expectation that a homeowner will have a rough draft or design ideas for the project. Doing the actual work of designing, however, is not a DIY activity. This is because the process is going to require licensed and experienced experts in everything from excavation and foundation work to electrical, HVAC, plumbing, painting, and more. A contractor may be part of the process, and that means that any DIY contributions are limited to basic schematic sketches and little else. A contractor, however, can help with design and ensuring that a homeowner’s vision is realized and within the budget.

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.