Adding a sunroom costs an average of $47,000
The average range for sunroom addition costs is from $22,000 to $75,000, with an average of $47,000.
A sunroom costs $150 to $300 per square foot to build.
Factors affecting sunroom addition costs include location, size, materials, and quality.
Benefits include added living space and increased home value.
Professional installation ensures your sunroom’s safety and efficiency.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Sunroom additions cost an average of $47,000. Most homeowners’ expenses average between $22,000 and $75,000, depending on the sunroom’s size, materials, and features. While budgeting, it’s essential to consider insulation, permits, and professional installation for optimal quality.
A sunroom offers extra living space and can boost property value. Planning and proper research can help you maximize the benefits of this home addition.
How much you’ll spend to build a sunroom depends on a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look at how your total breaks down.
The $150 to $300 price per square foot depends on the quality, size, and type of your addition. Each type of room comes with different variables.
Sunroom Type | Average Cost |
---|---|
Four-season room | $25,000–$120,000 |
Three-season room | $10,000 –$40,000 |
Solarium | $30,000–$75,000 |
Conservatory | $6,000–$80,000 |
Expect a total budget of $25,000 to $120,000 for a four-season room. That is largely due to materials, including the cost to install insulation. Exterior walls, windows, doors, and roofing all need high insulation grades to retain heat and cool air during cold and warm seasons. For the high cost, you get a true extension of your living space, regardless of the weather.
Building a patio enclosure costs between $10,000 and $40,000. Consider it a less insulated version of a four-season space. It works well for moderate temperatures, but might get hot in the summer and cold during the winter.
At a price between $30,000 and $75,000, a solarium is a glass room that is a true extension of your outside space. Even the roof is glass, making it perfect if you want to enjoy nature from the comfort of your home. The steel structure must be strong enough to support the glass throughout the walls and ceilings.
At a range of $5,000 to $80,000, you have many options for conservatories. At its simplest, it's a greenhouse to grow a garden without having to depend on the weather. Comprehensive systems to regulate temperature and humidity can drive up the cost.
The size of your project is one of its biggest budget factors. Contractors and other installation pros work by the hour, and larger sizes increase their workload. The average range for building a sunroom is $150 to $300 per square foot, although prefabricated models cost as little as $100 per square foot.
Here’s a look at the average costs for sunrooms of various sizes.
Dimensions (Feet) | Average Cost |
---|---|
5x10 | $7,500–$15,000 |
10x10 | $15,000–$30,000 |
10x12 | $18,000–$36,000 |
12x12 | $21,600–$43,200 |
14x14 | $29,400–$58,800 |
10x20 | $30,000–$60,000 |
12x20 | $36,000–$72,000 |
20x20 | $60,000–$120,000 |
Labor accounts for 40% to 60% of your sunroom project cost. After purchasing the materials or prefab kit, you can expect to pay between $18,800 and $28,800 for a pro to build your sunroom. Where you fall on that range depends on the exact addition you're planning.
Think about exactly where your new structure will be. Start by pinpointing where the sunroom will sit; its location will shape every design choice that follows. If it's an area that gets direct sunlight, you might consider adding an enclosure with shading abilities.
Will you watch TV in your new addition? Be sure to install electrical wiring. Do you live in an area with a lot of snow, hail, or strong winds? You'll need additional insulation, costing between $500 and $1,500, and possibly a different design to accommodate. Do you need a heating and cooling system so you can use the space year-round? These are important questions to consider when planning your project, as each affects the cost of your addition.
Every addition to your home requires a building permit, which costs between $250 and $1,500. A sunroom falls on the lower end of that range. If you build without a permit, it could result in your insurance denying a claim if something happens. You might also have problems selling the home down the road. Getting a permit takes four to eight weeks from the time you submit the application.
You can build your sunroom onto an existing patio, which means you might not have to pay extra to stabilize the construction.
Do you have an existing deck or patio where you want to place the enclosure? If so, does that deck need repair? Your foundation might need repairs to accommodate not only the new construction but also the people who will be enjoying it. You may also need to consider the cost of constructing a concrete slab.
If you can't build on an existing foundation, paying to clear the land and prepare the construction site ranges between $500 and $5,600. Keep these other site prep costs in mind as well:
Landscaping costs between $1,400 and $5,500.
Tree removal costs an average of $700 per tree.
Land excavation costs range from $1,300 to $4,600.
Most prefabricated kits range between $6,000 and $40,000 for the product alone. If you don't need a custom addition and want to save on your budget, this option might work best for you.
Size plays an important factor in deciding between a prefab sunroom and a custom one. Prefab sunrooms can cost as little as $100 per square foot, which is much more affordable than the $150 to $300 range for custom-built sunrooms.
On average, you can expect to see a 49% return on investment (ROI) for your sunroom addition, which is on the high end of the spectrum for different types of home additions. Because a sunroom creates additional living space in your home, it’s an attractive feature to many prospective buyers.
Consider these cost-saving strategies to make your sunroom addition project more budget-friendly:
Convert an existing space into a sunroom rather than building an entirely new structure.
Choose from more affordable types of sunrooms like solariums or screened-in porches.
Align your sunroom with your existing exterior doors to avoid having to make structural changes.
Obtain quotes from at least three local sunroom builders to ensure competitive pricing.
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.