I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

You don't say where you are so it is hard to guestimate what it might cost
but figure "ballpark" around $150-$200 per sq ft.


"BigLar" wrote in message
...
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

A few years ago - in low labor cost areas - yes; now, no. Even if you
contracted it yourself I doubt you could get it that low.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Feb 26, 6:24*pm, "dadiOH" wrote:
BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

A few years ago - in low labor cost areas - yes; now, no. *Even if you
contracted it yourself I doubt you could get it that low.

I doubt you could get the materials for a 20'-25' by 35' addition for
20 grand. It's a _house_.

R

On Feb 26, 4:26*pm, BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

Take whatever you think it should cost and double it, add your age and
that should be pretty close.

"BigLar" wrote

and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want

done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

Hate to tell you but no. Will be more like 5x that. I base this on a back
room that was destroyed by renters (walls kicked in etc). Rebuilding the
damaged 12x13 room to a code spec bedroom started at 40,000$ and went up.
We opted for the sunroom and are quite happy with it.

What you may be able to do for near what you have however, is called an
'enclosed porch'. Depending on your climate, these can be quite suitable for
year round or near year round use. In my area, (Norfolk VA), it's a bit too
chilly to use that enclosed room in winter unless we leave the door to the
main house open and pay quite a bit extra in heating costs. Summer though,
a small portable AC is fine. They do what is called '3 season' sun rooms
here. There are 4 season ones as well but I don't know what sort of prices
pertain.

I did not go with the lowest bidder, but instead a somewhat pricier one of
excellent reputation locally. I had existing roof and slab and needed only
2 walls rebuilt plus a footer extension to new code specs. As I had a rip
out issue (which you do not apparently) there's some variation here in
pricing which you will not have. The rip out was about equal to laying a
slab had there not been one (mold damage, significant so special work and
disposal applied).

Lower bidder- 7,000$, High 12,500$ one used: 10,500$

12x13 room. Estimates to do the whole back porch (29ft left is still fully
screened and open to elements which we like), 17,500$ total but we didnt
have the extra 7,000$ (no rip out issues to rest of porch, only 1 wall and a
small corner part).

Based on this experience, it may be do-able at your price, but with a
sunroom enclosure. Privacy curtins grin.

A neighbor has a unique one. The house design is close to ours with an
extended roof. They made 3 interconnected rooms, with the center one being
a hot tub/bathroom. They used a smoked glass on that part. The corner is a
library/extended family room (same as us). The center is a hot tub
/bathroom, and the other end used as a bedroom. They did it a 8 years ago
and said other than the piping for the raised hot tub, it was not much more
than what we were told for the whole 17,500$ job.

From what I gathered, it's extending the roof that costs but that's not too
bad if it's a sunroom glass roof. There are support issues though with
taking the glass roof out too far. Consider 12 or 13 ft out. That still
makes reasonably sizable rooms.

"Eric in North TX" wrote in message
...
On Feb 26, 4:26 pm, BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

Take whatever you think it should cost and double it, add your age and
that should be pretty close.

that's pretty good tex.

--
skeeter

BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

You can get a couple of ocean freight containers (10x20) for about $4000
each. Just hook 'em together.

I've heard there are several tens of thousands of idled railroad boxcars in
the country. Maybe one or two of them?

(Don't laugh. We have a restaurant here constructed from about ten
inter-connected boxcars.)

with the economic crash theres lots of unemployeed workers.
carpenters, electricians etc.

now is a good time to get a bargain.

family member in phoenix a finish carpenter contractor hasnt worked
since thanksgiving.

"BigLar" wrote in message
...
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?


No plumbing? What kind of heat do you have? It may require a larger boiler
or furnace and associated plumbing to handle the add on.

What is the roof style and how is the new addition going to blend into it?
You may need extensive work with trusses for that 25' span and drainage from
the existing roof. The existing exterior wall may need a fair amount of
work to change window and door locations, close in existing windows.

I can see you spending 2 or 3 times your estimate.

"BigLar" wrote in message
...
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

$20K? No way. You are better off looking for a house with more room. The
construction could exceed the current value of you home.

On Feb 26, 6:24*pm, "dadiOH" wrote:
BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots of
"it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with building
and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone to add
approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our house is
modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We would like to
extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly proportioned rooms
with three windows total and a back sliding patio door. We want
electricity of course, but no bathrooms or other plumbing. My question
is: can anyone provide a ballpark estimate of the cost of having that
done? I'm picturing a slab for a foundation and would like a fairly
seamless continuation of the siding and roof. We are going to get some
estimates and were hoping to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound
reasonable?

A few years ago - in low labor cost areas - yes; now, no. *Even if you
contracted it yourself I doubt you could get it that low.


Say what? Home construction is currently down by over 50%
nationwide. A few years ago, it was booming and you couldn't find
contractors at any price. Now there are plenty looking for work.





--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it athttp://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:46:21 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote:

You can get a couple of ocean freight containers (10x20) for about $4000
each. Just hook 'em together.

A three story building in Atlanta, for example*

Florida has a community of homes built with shipping containers. They
exceed hurricane codes, iirc.

* Architect: Francis Kirkpatrick
Structural Engineer: Runkle Consulting, Inc.

http://www.runkleconsulting.com/Cont...er%20House.htm

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote
"Cindy Hamilton" wrote

So? What difference does it make that the construction cost could
exceed the current value of his home?

He can do whatever he wants with his money, but there may not be much
payback in added value. That all depends on factors such as the size of
the house in relation to others in the neighborhood, style, how the
addition looks, etc. If he is going to enjoy the house and the
neighborhood and live there the rest of his life, it is a good deal no
matter what anyone else thinks.

Correct. not everything is in resale value. I am already the top end of my
neighborhood and adding the sunroom made it more so.

The real difference is we like it and could afford it. Come sales time, we
will have to price under what the house would be worth in another area, but
it will *sell* faster as it has 'more' than the nearby places for the same
price.

My realtor is also a friend who comes to dinner and says he can sell the
place as is for 170,000$ when we bought for 83,500$. He said if selling,
not to replace the carpet as wont get the money back. Would take him about
2 weeks in today's market.

Now in a better more upscale area? (not that this one is bad mind you, just
older and smaller houses) He said 210,000$ easy and might hit 240,000$. Not
possible here, but it's that level house and buyers arent totally stupid.

My main cost detraction is 1.5 baths in a 4 BR house but there's no easy way
to add another and cant recoup the cost if we did it (nor do we need it, the
second toilet is handy but need no more).

wrote in message
Say what? Home construction is currently down by over 50%
nationwide. A few years ago, it was booming and you couldn't find
contractors at any price. Now there are plenty looking for work.

************************************************** *********

The news here in CT said the January building permits was the lowest since
1959.
January 2008 458
January 2009 95

Great news since 60% of my business has to do with new home construction.

wrote in
:

On Feb 26, 6:24*pm, "dadiOH" wrote:
BigLar wrote:
I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots
of "it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with
building and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone
to add approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our
house is modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We
would like to extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly
proportioned rooms with three windows total and a back sliding
patio door. We want electricity of course, but no bathrooms or
other plumbing. My question is: can anyone provide a ballpark
estimate of the cost of having that done? I'm picturing a slab for
a foundation and would like a fairly seamless continuation of the
siding and roof. We are going to get some estimates and were hoping
to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound reasonable?

A few years ago - in low labor cost areas - yes; now, no. *Even if
you contracted it yourself I doubt you could get it that low.


Say what? Home construction is currently down by over 50%
nationwide. A few years ago, it was booming and you couldn't find
contractors at any price. Now there are plenty looking for work.



Some may even have tools and not want to borrow yours.




--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it athttp://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Feb 27, 10:56*am, "HeyBub" wrote:
Cindy Hamilton wrote:
On Feb 27, 8:07 am, "JohnR66" wrote:
"BigLar" wrote in message

....

I understand that this is an open ended question with probably lots
of "it depends" variables, but I don't have much experience with
building and thought I would toss this out. We want to hire someone
to add approximately 700 sq feet onto the back of our home. Our
house is modest size with the back exterior being 35' across. We
would like to extend 20 to 25' feet out and create two evenly
proportioned rooms with three windows total and a back sliding
patio door. We want electricity of course, but no bathrooms or
other plumbing. My question is: can anyone provide a ballpark
estimate of the cost of having that done? I'm picturing a slab for
a foundation and would like a fairly seamless continuation of the
siding and roof. We are going to get some estimates and were hoping
to come in at 20K or less. Does that sound reasonable?

$20K? No way. You are better off looking for a house with more room.
The construction could exceed the current value of you home.

So? What difference does it make that the construction cost could
exceed
the current value of his home?

Cindy Hamilton

It's called "Putting Prada on a Pig

Not necessarily. I have two acres just outside of Ann Arbor, MI. The
house
is 1200 square feet, built in 1948. I could put quite a lot of
improvements
on the house before having to worry about the ROI. In any event, I
expect the next time the house is sold, it will be my estate that does
it.
If I built a $1,000,000 house and it sold for $100,000, I wouldn't
care.

Granted, the OP is probably not in this situation, but he didn't say.

Cindy Hamilton