How Much Will a Home
Addition Cost? 
I am continually asked
the cost question from my readers. Some will describe
in general what it is they have in mind & then pop the
question- “Give me a ballpark figure, what's an average
cost? what do you think it will
cost? Or my favorite.... "How much per square
foot?" (See below)
If I knew I would be happy to tell you
but I have no way to tell. Consider all the reasons why I don’t
know & why you will never find
accurate average costs, or per square foot costs any
place on the internet.
I know you won't
find them because they don't
exist.
Yes, I know, you found a few internet
sites that purport to give you estimates. I will tell you that
any estimate given will not be close to the real figure &
probably not even close to anyhing called average
cost. These estimates are worthless & making
any decision based on them would be a
mistake.
First of
all home additions are unique &
custom made to order. After
building hundreds of additions I have never
built the same addition twice. Each addition is
made up of hundreds, sometimes thousands of parts with
hundreds of variations in the parts. Plus, each variation has a
different material cost & labor
cost.
So you say "well then give me an
average cost for a 12X16 addition" There isn't any
true average. The price can vary thousands
of dollars & any average I give you could be off
by $10,000 or $20,000 or more. That's enough to discourage you
from looking any further. You may be interested at a lower
figure & in fact can buy at a lower cost but you
may drop the whole idea based on false
information.
Try remodeling in New York City & you will pay double or
triple than if you live in Arkansas. If you live in
California you are going to pay more than if you live in
Michigan.
Building Department standards differ wildly in various parts of
the country. If you live in Florida you are going to build
something that will deter hurricane damage. California has
earthquake problems & standards are higher because of
it.
Competition in your area is also a factor. If all of the
contractors are up to their neck with work then they are less
likely to give you a lower price than if they were looking for
work.
Weather is a factor in the colder areas of the country. If you
live in North Dakota or Minnesota then I suggest you consider
having your basement finished in the winter. Any contractor
would love to work indoors in January & they will fight for
the job at any price they can get.
Those of you who are looking for a price per square
foot on a home addition are running a fools
errand. In remodeling there is no such thing as price per
square foot that makes any sense. It is a myth & anyone
trying to tell you otherwise is not being honest with
you.
Price per
square foot may apply to building a new house but
that's where it ends. The number has zero value in
determining the cost of your desired home
addition.
The only right way to find an
accurate estimate is to receive one from a qualified
contractor & then decide what you want to do. I am
currently offering a free bonus offer that
will guarantee a lower price from the contractors. See
link below.
If interested you can find a Contractor
Here
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