How much does it cost per square foot to build an addition on a house?
Cost really depends on many variables. Among these are size, level of finish, number of stories, ease of access, type of room, and complexity of tie-in with the existing house. In general, the larger the project, the less it costs per square foot, because there is an economy of scale—the first foot costs the most. Likewise, it us usually cheaper to build on two levels instead of one, assuming the square footage is the same, because the roof, excavation, and foundation are only about half as large. And, of course, unfinished garages cost less to build than kitchens and master bathrooms. But, the garage is not free. And this is an important point, because some architects overlook that fact when they calculate costs on a per-foot basis, counting only “finished livable” footage in their cost calculations. What you really want to know is what your project will cost. Most contractors can give reasonable ballpark estimates once they understand enough about the project. After an architect has
