Top 20 Home Addition Ideas, Plus Costs and ROI Details in 2021

When youre planning an addition or a major home improvement upgrade, there are so many options and things to take into account that it can get a little overwhelming.

The nature of the home remodeling project itself, the materials you need, the cost of contractors to hire, building permits, whether there is a justifiable return on your home improvement investment, etc. all of these are important factors to consider when planning your project.

Basic Costs of Hiring a Home Improvement Pro to Keep in Mind

When it comes to costing for your project, keep in mind that on average, you can expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour for an electrician, $35 to $65 per hour for professional painters, and around $75 to $100 per hour for a good carpenter.

We have factored these average prices into our costing. Also note that the prices we mention are on average across the US, however costs may vary depending on where you are building. For example, coastal regions and major cities are likely to cost significantly more than country towns.

When it comes to building a garage, you should start by determining your budget, and then decide on the inclusions you want.

You have two main options to choose from for the design you can have a detached garage which stands on its own, away from the house, where you could also consider a second level for living, workshop, or storage space; or attached so it sits on the side of your home and is generally more affordable.

Whatever design you choose, you need to consider the following to get an accurate quote: the size you want (double, single, three-car, compact, storage space); what materials it will be built from (for the walls drywall, metal panels, plastic, cement; for the roof gypsum, Styrofoam, cork, tiles); windows and the type of door you want.

Detached: Youre going to pay more from the outset for detached, which you might put behind the house if there isnt space to build next to it.

Cost: Youre looking at paying around $35,000 to $65,000 including labor and materials, but you can expect to pay more if youre also including plumbing, electrical lines or HVAC; and add another $15,000-35,000 to include a second level. Cost per square foot: $45.00 $100.00.

Attached: The less expensive of the two, attached garages connect to your home; saving you money immediately by utilizing one wall you have already in place. That means youre only building three walls instead of four, and being next to the house, you can take advantage of close proximity to your homes electricity and plumbing to save on wiring and installation fees.

via Atec Builders

Cost: For a single car garage, expect to pay between $25,000 and $45,000; while a double garage will be in the vicinity of $50,000. This includes materials and professional labor costs. Cost per square foot: $35-$70.

ROI: Best return on investment can sometimes be achieved for a detached garage, especially when coupled with an added living space above the garage itself. You could include a small bathroom and kitchenette, then rent that space out to achieve 100% returns (or more).

Via Patio Enclosures

There is nothing quite like soaking up the morning or afternoon sunshine in your own sunroom and if you can include this as an addition to your home, we highly recommend it.

With walls of glass that invite the sunlight in, youll be protected from the elements as you enjoy basking in the sunshine all year round.

Sunrooms are affordable and popular and are generally made from vinyl or aluminum. You can save money by skipping heating and using the room only through the warmer months (or only when the sun is shining directly on the room during winter).

Cost: The average cost of a sunroom addition depends on the size and features you want to include. Generally, youll pay anywhere from $25,000 up to $75,000, including labor costs for painters, carpenters and electricians. Average cost per square foot can range as much as: $50 $150.

ROI: Adding a sunroom will increase your homes general value, so if youre planning on selling any time soon, you should see a 50% return on the money you spend.

Reach in closets or walk-in closets and wardrobes will help you to keep your sanity in a space that can quickly get messy.

Having the freedom to arrange your clothes in open space, without having everything thrown in drawers that are hard to maintain; not to mention the added storage space youll gain, makes getting a closet or wardrobe well worth your while.

If you have smaller space to work with and less to store, a closet is the ideal choice. You can choose from a walk-in or a reach-in, depending on how much space you must work with.

If youre getting one closet or wardrobe, why not buy in bulk getting all the bedrooms fitted. Youll save money and get a greater return in the long run.

Cost: Youll spend an average of around $1,500 to $2,000 for a simple walk-in closet of around 6.5 foot wide, and between $1,000 and $2,500 for a reach in closet or around $2,500 for a wardrobe. This price will increase if you need extra walls built. Average cost per square foot: $10 $25.

ROI: 100%. Pay $2,000 for a closet, and if you sell your home, you can easily ask an extra $2,000 to the total price.

via Simply Additions

The family is expanding and youre running out of space, but rather than move to a bigger house in a different suburb, consider adding another bedroom to your home. Its easier than you think.

Choose to build out, adding the room on the side of the home, or up, adding a second level; with the first option much more affordable and more practical in many circumstances.

Building up could include a single room, or an entire floor, and in either option the price will increase.

Cost: Bedrooms generally dont need a whole lot of hidden extras, so you can expect to pay between $150 and $250 per square foot, inclusive of labor costs, if you choose to build on the side of the home.

ROI: Building out will add immediate value to your home by extending the buildings perimeter, though it will decrease the amount of yard space. If youre selling, expect a positive ROI of around 50%.

via Slope Side ICF

Many dormers are there for show. They make homes look more appealing to anyone who might be walking past, or considering buying, or they could be more practical in that they provide you the added benefit of more space in your attic.

Adding a dormer to your attic or including a shed dormer at the back of the home, could help turn it into a more livable space and more flexibility.

Cost: Dormers arent cheap. They will cost anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000 (or more) to have installed, depending on size, location on your home and materials required. Average cost per square foot: $60 $120.

ROI: Added space, lighter and better-looking style of home are all added benefits if you decide to sell. Wed say you will get around 40% returns financially, but the benefits of the added light will also save on electrical bills, so add another 20%+ over 10 years.

via Fireside Outdoor Kitchens

Enjoy summer with all the benefits of an outdoor kitchen, great for entertaining friends and family, or just for yourself. When considering this as an addition on the home, you need to take into account several factors.

The most important is the grill what type, size, style grill do you want or need to be able to feed all those hungry mouths? Do you want gas, electric or open flame (such as a fire pit)?

Next you need to choose your other features tile or stainless-steel countertops are the most popular, and most resilient choices; cupboard space might be required; and you could need a fridge.

What about a sink? Or are you close enough to the actual kitchen that you can get away with taking a few simple steps from outdoors to indoors? These are just a few of the things to consider.

Cost: Around $15,000 for something rather basic; up to $150,000 for extravagance. Average cost per square foot: $50 $150 depending on the materials and how elaborate the design is.

ROI: Lapping up a life of luxury, enjoying the sunshine and basking in the glory of your amazing cooking, wed give this return 100% when it comes to enjoyment.

For financial gain, if you decide to sell, you could get a 100%-200% return if you live in a nice, sunshine-filled area where the new owners will benefit greatly from being able to entertain outdoors.

via Autumn Wood Construction

Winter has left the building and the weather is warming up. No doubt you cant wait to get out in the sunshine again and theres no better way to enjoy the warmer months than with your own deck, built onto either the front, side, or back of your home.

Deck designs are pretty simple, so youre really just paying for the materials you choose (cedar and composite boards are popular options), the size and professional installation costs. For the record, the deck is also a great place to add your outdoor kitchen; and youll pay extra if you want a roof covering, as well.

Cost: A typical new deck will cost anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000, including professional labor, materials, and staining if necessary. Average cost per square foot: $25 $55, depending on the choice of materials, deck size and complexity, and your homes location.

ROI: Youll be the favorite hosts in town with your new deck so you can expect a return on investment of 100% for popularity; and another 80% to 100% for cost-to-value return if you use the right materials so that the end product is both, visually appealing and practical.

via Period Architecture

The butlers pantry, also known as a scullery, has been around for centuries, though it was phased out of most homes built in the past 50 years or so.

These days, though, the addition of a butlers pantry is increasing in popularity and many homeowners are taking a full advantage of the benefits this can add to a kitchen, including the increase in the value of a home.

The butlers pantry is basically a small room that is built near the kitchen, usually with a sink, countertops, space for fridges and dishwashers, and plenty of storage for your tableware and linen. It keeps the mess out of your kitchen and hidden away from guests and children. Have it added on the side, built into another room, or use extra kitchen or dining space. Practical and valuable.

Cost: Depends on the size and materials (cut costs by using budget materials the room is hidden anyway!), but you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 up to $25,000. Average cost per square foot: $80 to $200.

ROI: Added storage is always a bonus. We believe this would offer a minimum 50% return, and up to 200% if you use budget materials, simply for its practicality, provided it enhances the overall look and feel of the home, and fits in nicely with the layout of the house.

Building a shed on your property will give you the bonus of more storage space for things like the lawnmower, and additional space to work or play if you decide to use it as a workshop.

Sheds are also ideal man caves and great spaces for your next DIY project (out of sight, out of mind, so you can make as much mess as you want, without getting in trouble).

Cost: Between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the size and how elaborate the design is. The cost is inclusive of materials and labor. Youll spend more if you want to include HVAC systems and electric wiring. Average cost per square foot: $25 $50.

ROI: If you use your shed as a man-cave or hobby space, youre going to have a 200% investment return simply through the me time youll enjoy. Financially, a shed will add certain value to your home, with the projected return dependent on how much you spend. Expect anywhere from 50% to 80%.

Your family is growing, and one bathroom is no longer enough, so the best option is to build a second bathroom, or an ensuite.

Consider the inclusions you want is a shower enough, or do you want a bath as well; are you looking for something more budget friendly, or is money not an option?

There are both cheap and expensive options for all your bathroom needs, from the fittings to fixtures, flooring to faucets.

Luxury options include gold plated taps and expensive hot tubs; budget options could be a simple shower, basin, and toilet in a space of a couple of meters squared.

Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 for a medium sized bathroom with basic shower, toilet, and basin.

Add another $4,000-$5,000 for a bathtub and $3,500 if you want new floors. If you want to go all out luxury with a hot tub, double shower, sauna, etc. you could be paying up to $100,000 (or more). Average cost per square foot: $100 $250.

ROI: For a mid-range bathroom, youre going to see a financial return of around 60% or more, provided it makes sense for the overall layout of the house.

via Yankee Barn Homes

One of the great things about living on a big property in America is being able to own your own farm animals and if you are considering additional housing for them, particularly when winter is coming up, building a simple barn is an easy option that requires minimal preparation.

Decide whether the space is for animals or storage, what style of barn and the size you want, what materials (steel, wood frame, pole barns) are there any special permits you need for your State (particularly when it comes to the number of animals you can have), does it need electricity and do you require a loft.

Cost: Adding a barn to your property will cost around $10,000 for something small, up to $75,000 for something over 1,000 square feet including labor and materials. Youll pay extra if you need electricity and plumbing installed. Average cost per square foot: $25 $75.

ROI: Depends on the size and quality, but with barns generally built to last between 40 years and 100 years, we estimate that over time, youll easily get a 100% return. If you decide to sell your property, expect to gain around 75%.

One of the biggest problems with a basement is that they are a haven for mold, which can be both detrimental to your health and the foundations of your home. Having a wet basement can be a nightmare, regardless of if it is caused by the weather or a leaking pipe.

Once youve cleaned up the mess (or had a professional do it), you need to consider getting basement waterproofing, which will help to clear out and protect any cracks in the walls or floors, and of course the expert will be able to determine where that water is coming from.

Cost: Hiring someone for waterproofing your basement can cost as little as $250 for minor problems, or it could be as high as $25,000 for a major waterproofing project. The average is around $7,500 to $15,000. Cost per square foot: $25 $50.

ROI: Nothing compares to safety, so if you are considering waterproofing, youll help to prevent harmful mold and keep the foundations of your home safe 200%+.

Picture the sunroom we mentioned earlier, where you can sit, relax with a coffee, and enjoy the warmth of the sun shining in on you all year round. Then add the fresh breeze that floats through your fresh smelling yard.

A patio is just a sunroom, without the walls, so you have the best of both worlds.

You have a floor beneath you and a roof over your head, but you dont have walls locking you away from the natural setting and blocking out the breeze.

One of the important benefits of a patio, though, is that you DO have the option of turning it into a sunroom by adding walls, or you might just get fly screens to keep the bugs out.

Cost: Anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. Average cost per square foot: $15 to $50.

ROI: More livable space, possible transformation into a sunroom, enjoying the outdoors = 100%. And if you want to sell your home for more, we estimate a minimum 80% return.

via Check Total Home

If you dont have the space or the budget for a garage, a carport is the next best option. Generally, a properly setup carport, has a concrete base with metal or wood poles and a roof.

A carport will protect your car from rain, hail, snow, and shine, and it will also provide a covered area if you have to do a little maintenance, or if you want to add in a small workshop.

Cost: Depends on the foundation and footers, generally costs between $3,000 and $15,000 to have a carport built, including labor and materials. Average cost per square foot: $5 $15.

ROI: Can increase the value of your property by an average of $5,000 to $15,000, so you should achieve almost a full 100% return.

via Simply Additions

Call it a granny flat, call it in in-law apartment either way, this is one of the most popular home addition trends hitting the market this year, both in terms of building and selling properties.

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Top 20 Home Addition Ideas, Plus Costs and ROI Details in 2021