What will it cost for an outdoor room addition?

We don’t estimate jobs based on a price per square foot. Honestly, there are too many variables. Besides site conditions and requirements to successfully connect it to your home, the features and the level of finish are what really make a difference on the cost of a construction project. Of course, the fluctuating costs of materials such as decking and aluminum can also affect the final price of your project.

A good way to get a ballpark number is to first decide what you would like the general size of the room to be. Is there something already in that area that would need to be removed? Demolition needs to be included in the final cost unless you will be doing that yourself. Are there piers for an existing deck that can be re-used? Is there already a frost wall in place around an existing patio? If you are considering a roofed structure, have you considered where it would tie into the existing roof?

The design of the project will directly affect its cost. First, it takes time and money to design and draw plans and to submit them for approval through a county and/or municipality to receive a permit.  Second, the more complicated the design, the more time (and money) it will cost in labor to build it. If you really don’t need a stairs from your deck to the yard, or a knee wall in your screen room, removing it from the plan will shave off cost in both time and materials. If your project is designed with standard material sizes in mind, such as decking lengths, that can account for substantial savings.

The next thing that will affect the price is the materials you choose. A treated lumber deck will be much cheaper than a deck made from Cedar which is less expensive than Brazilian hardwood or any composite material. Extruded aluminum components on a screen room system will cost more than the thinner, roll form pieces. A basic concrete patio will cost less than a decorative concrete, but different patterns and styles can vary greatly in cost per foot as well.

Labor is a large part of the cost of building anything. You can save money by building yourself or by taking the lowest bid. But, if you want a structure that is built to last, hire an experienced contractor you can trust. Ask to see similar projects they have completed and look them up on the Better Business Bureau website or check Angie’s List.

The final determinate for the cost of your outdoor living area is the features you include. A roof is often the single most expensive feature, but if you choose to add a cooking area, a fireplace or a hot tub, those are also pricey additions. Of course, the custom features you add, whether it’s the trim or the wood ceiling, the sound system or even a doggy door, are what give it character and make it especially enjoyable.

So, the short question is, what do you want to spend on your investment towards enjoying your outdoors? If you plan to spend a lot of time out there, you might want to splurge a little.