To calculate a project’s Home Additions approximate estimate, you have to take a lot of factors into account. This is because, in a Remodeling and Additions project there is no way that the cost can be estimated without making a detailed study of the requirements and needs of a particular family.
For example, one family might be looking to add a bedroom and bathroom for their children. Their current home is situated on a flat lot, with room to easily expand where they want to. Their existing home also has a simple roof plan that allows the physical connection of the addition to be completed without major structural changes to the existing home. The plumbing system already has adequate capacity for the added bathroom and making the connections for the drain and water supply aren't that difficult. Their municipality that governs construction permits and procedures is easy to work with, resulting in less energy and costs to their contractor. And the requirements for the finish level of the addition are not extremely high - because it is a kids space and doesn't include lots of fancier, more expensive details.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have a young professional, who wants to renovate an existing bathroom in his Indianapolis area condo. His condo association has very rigid policies on constructional additions or renovations. Getting clearance from the condo association is sure to involve a lot of expenses, both in money and time. All these expenses will be passed on to the one who is paying for the project. Then there are the bathroom fixtures and fittings. Even though the young home owner is not adding square footage to his home, he wants a renovated and more luxurious bathroom! Accordingly, the costs of the tiles, countertops, bathtub, plumbing fixtures and lighting is higher as compared to the family’s requirements.
A Indianapolis contractor area will provide you ranges on a per Square Foot cost Bathrooms and Kitchens are the most expensive rooms in any house as they are the main rooms that house most systems like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Also with the trendy preferences the young professional has, the project is sure to be expensive, and may be in the range of 200/ft to as much as $400/ft! This is unlike in our first case, where the family’s needs were very minimal and so would cost within a price per square foot range of $70/foot to $150/foot.
The best way to sum up the total pricing of your project is by calculating your own expectations. You first need to know what you desire out of the project, and then see if it fits your budget. Also, you could hire a professional Home Additions who has a sound reputation. We can help you get in contact with professionals in your Indianapolis region so that you can choose the very best.
You have to be prepared, though, and learn to communicate your needs and desires as clearly as possible. Start with the basics of your project and then drill down all of the details. And don't get overwhelmed! Realize that this should all be fun and enjoyable! There will be problems, delays and headaches - it is construction after all - but the rewards for a successful Home Addition always outweigh the hardships and difficulties. Stick with your gameplan and be patient!
Here are some questions to start thinking about your Home Additions costs, and to prepare you for a conversation with potential contractors or builders:
1. How large will my Home Additions project be?
- plan in terms of Square Feet
2. How much work needs to be done to the structural part of my project?
- Will excavation or fill be needed? (Is your project going to be on a flat lot, or is there slope, drainage concerns, extensive trees to be moved or removed)
- Will the foundation require special considerations or be difficult?
- If you want to build a second story or add on above a garage, is your existing floor and wall system ready to support another floor? How much demolition and re-construction will be needed below your planned addition in order to support it adequately? Will you need to build a stair system or re-do an existing one?
3. How many doors, windows, or openings are you thinking about or planning on?
- Openings in your building envelope (the exterior walls and roof of your home) are important considerations for heating and cooling, orientation to sunlight and structural design.
4. Are there special considerations for the roof of my Home Addition?
- Do you have a flat roof or commercial style roof? Are there complicated angles that will need to be planned out and executed well?
- What style or level of shingles or tile do you want? More expensive clay tiles or molded rubber slate look-alikes? Simple one tab shingles? Somewhere in-between?
5. And finally, what level of "finish out" are you planning on?
- Expensive, special order door hardware or more standard production-level knobs, hinges and levers?
- Types and square footage of flooring? Carpet and vinyl are typically on the low end, while solid wood, designer tiles, and marble quickly add to your expenses.
- How much custom cabinetry or special carpentry are you thinking about? Built-in bookcases or entertainment systems? Lots of stairs or railings? Will you be able to use production built cabinets or will you require more custom built cabinets for specific purposes?
- What kinds of countertops and hard surface materials do you want to use? Laminate countertops typically are the least expensive option (although there are expensive laminate products available), while solid surface natural stone (granite, marble) or man-made solid surface countertops (quartz, aggregate, concrete, Corian) are more expensive.
- What about lighting and electrical needs?
- Is it going to be a challenge to properly heat and cool your new space? Will you need to add to your existing HVAC system or install a completely new system?
- How much plumbing is involved? What style or kinds of fixtures do you want?
If you can answer the majority of these questions - it is time to get professional contractors or builders involved! And that is exactly where we'd love to help - our contractors are pre-screened to make sure they carry the required licenses and are waiting to help you answer your questions and get your Home Additions project off the ground. Our service is completely FREE to you - All you need to do is submit your information through the form on this page and wait for our Contractor Partners to call you back. You are Not Obligated to use them either (although it is our goal to find the best contractors, and make sure that our network is most useful to you!). Remember: ask questions, be clear with your expectations, and have fun with your home!
I would like estimates regarding a planned two story addition with bathroom.
Kevin C