How Much Does a Game Room Cost in 2025?
Remodeling or renovating a space into a game room costs between $3,000 and $50,000
Building a game room can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000.
Furnishings, equipment, labor, and space preparation are key cost factors that vary by project size and complexity.
Converting an existing finished room is more affordable than constructing a new addition or renovating an unfinished space.
A well-designed game room provides entertainment, enhances home value, and can serve multiple purposes like a home theater or social hub.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Building a game room costs homeowners an average of $20,000, with most projects falling between $3,000 and $50,000. Total price depends on upgrades such as electrical work, furnishings, and audiovisual equipment. Whether you remodel a finished room, renovate, or build a new addition also impacts costs. Establish a clear budget and work with home remodeling pros to keep the project on track.
Game Room Cost Factors
Important cost factors that influence how much you’ll pay to build your game room include equipment and furnishings you’ll need to purchase and the labor to prep your space and install your upgrades.
Furnishings
Furnishings range from accent chairs and tables to sofas or recliners. Accessories such as rugs, lamps, and specialty lighting add comfort and style, while themed décor and neon accents can personalize the space.
Equipment
Equipment choices drive cost. Consider how these additions to your game room affect the price of the project:
Pool table: $2,000
Mounted flatscreen TV: $350
Gaming console: $250–$500
Arcade game: $1,000
Surround-sound system: $770
Labor
Labor rates depend on the scope of your project. General contractor rates range from $50 to $150 per hour. You may pay less for a local handyperson, but it’s important to hire licensed and insured professionals for structural work. Electrician rates range from $60 to $120 per hour. Discuss your project with local home remodelers for a more accurate cost estimate.
Room Prep and Repairs
Budget for any prep work before the remodel begins. Converting a finished or unfinished space often requires repairs such as leveling floors, upgrading insulation, or addressing moisture issues.
Consider further upgrades needed to prepare the game room. For example, you may need to reinforce floors to support heavy pool tables and arcade machines. You may also need to upgrade your electrical circuits to handle the added load of multiple gaming systems and entertainment equipment. Set aside 20% of your total budget for this prep work.
Game Room Remodel vs. Renovation
Project cost hinges on the condition of the space. Remodeling a finished room is the most affordable option, finishing a basement costs more, and building a new addition is the most expensive approach.
Finished Room
The cost to transform a finished room into a game room averages $3,000. Building a game room in an existing, finished room is the most budget-friendly option.
You can turn a finished basement, guest bedroom, or secondary living area into a game room by swapping out the decor and installing whatever games and devices you like. As in any renovation, the finishes—such as decor items and games introduced into the space—and their respective price tags dictate the end cost of creating your game room.
Unfinished Basement
The cost to finish a basement ranges from $3,000 to $34,000. If you plan to build a game room in an unfinished basement, you’ll first have to finish the basement to make it into a functional, livable room.
| Task | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Insulation | $0.25–$6.75 per square foot |
| Electrical | $60–$120 per hour |
| Plumbing | $45–$200 per hour |
| Painting | $300–$6,000 |
Home Addition
Home additions cost $80 to $210 per square foot , depending on the type of addition and the labor and materials needed. Costs increase if you plan to build a small addition to your home for a game room. You need to budget for framing, walls, roofing, windows, and other expenses, like the cost of building permits.
Garage
The average cost to convert a garage into a game room is $18,500. When converting a garage, remember which amenities or hookups you’ll need for your room that don’t already exist in the garage, including plumbing, electricity, heating, and internet access.
Does Building a Game Room Increase Home Value?
A well-designed game room can enhance daily enjoyment and may return 50% to 70% of its cost at resale, depending on local market conditions.
High-end features like custom built-ins, professional-grade gaming equipment, and integrated home theater systems with surround sound can appeal greatly to potential buyers when you list your home for sale. A dedicated gaming room is a premium feature that sets a property apart from comparable listings, giving you a competitive edge to reduce time on the market and increase the final sale price.
Budgeting for Building a Game Room
Creating a dream gaming room can be reasonably affordable if you plan strategically and make smart financial choices:
Buy refurbished gaming equipment: Certified refurbished video game consoles, computers, and peripherals can be considerably cheaper than brand-new models.
Look for used game tables: Local auctions and online marketplaces often list gently used pool, foosball, or pinball machines at substantial discounts.
Invest in modular furniture: Choose tables and chairs that can be reconfigured in the room for different purposes, like watching movies with the family.
Request multiple quotes: Consult several contractors for detailed estimates on converting your space into a functional gaming room.
Prioritize the essentials: Start with core gaming elements, adding to and upgrading the room over time with new games and equipment.
Consider emulators: Multi-game machines can emulate classic consoles and nostalgic favorites, adding free-to-play games from the open-source community.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
While your game room design is entirely up to you, people tend to include a few common elements in their game rooms. These may include pool tables, TVs, comfy couches, gaming consoles, and extras like home bars, arcade games, and sound systems with multiple speakers. Unique lighting and themed decor add to the gaming atmosphere.
If you want your game room to include both video games and movies, the cost of a home theater runs between $1,000 and $10,000. This cost estimate includes wiring, cable concealment, and other components like surround sound speakers, video screens, or video projectors. Higher-end equipment can cost considerably more. Budget for comfortable seating and tables for snacks to complete the home theater experience.
Chances are your game room could get a little rowdy at times, so you may want to invest in soundproofing the room for the sake of your family and housemates. The cost to soundproof a room ranges between $1,000 and $2,600, depending on the room size. “In certain circumstances, you might need to consult a sound engineer for optimum results,” says Ezra Laniado, owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc. in Los Angeles.
Along with converting a finished room or unfinished basement into a game room, another popular option is turning a shed into a gaming room. Some key considerations here are similar to converting a garage into a game room. The walls may need finishing, as well as factors like insulation, electrical components, lighting, and HVAC. You will need a fairly sizable shed for activities like billiards or table tennis.
