Who Should I Hire to Build Home Additions?

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

If you’re asking who builds home additions, the best answer is a home addition specialist. These pros coordinate engineers' and architects' plans, handle materials and permitting, and manage construction. A licensed pro must pull permits, which keeps your project legal and up to code. Hiring a home addition specialist reduces delays and anticipates issues early.

Benefits of Hiring a Specialist to Build a Home Addition

Home addition specialists are the top choice for building home additions because they deliver dedicated, addition‑focused expertise. They guide you from planning and design through finishes and exterior restoration, so nothing falls through the cracks. Their permit fluency and integrated teams reduce mid‑project changes, scheduling conflicts, and code issues that add cost and time.

Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a home addition specialist:

• One team that covers structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC

• Less reliance on subcontractors, which can delay schedules

• No added general contractor supervisory fees

• Clear permit guidance from day one

• Deep, addition‑specific experience and problem prevention

• Fewer mid‑project change orders

• Start‑to‑finish accountability and oversight

• Better coordination of materials and timelines

• Focus on code compliance and legal requirements

If your project involves complex work like structural changes, electrical, or plumbing, consider a general contractor near you to ensure the job is done safely and up to code.

Can I Hire a General Contractor to Build a Home Addition?

You can hire a general contractor for an addition, but there are trade‑offs. A general contractor fee adds 10% to 20% to your total, increasing labor costs. Many general contractors subcontract key trades, which raises the risk of delays and uneven quality. They also lack expertise specific to additions to anticipate challenges early. 

If you prioritize specialized experience and permit fluency, it’s best to hire a home addition specialist near you.

How Do Home Addition Specialists Build Additions?

Specialists follow a defined, end‑to‑end process to keep your additions predictable and code-compliant. Expect clear planning, coordinated schedules, and earlier problem‑solving. “Dry in” means enclosing the structure to keep out weather, while “rough‑in” covers initial plumbing, electrical, and HVAC runs before walls close.

Here’s a look at the standard process for building a home addition:

• Detailed planning with a structural engineer and an architect

• Sourcing interior and exterior materials with the homeowner

• Pulling all required permits

• Excavating and pouring the foundation

• Framing walls, roofing, and flooring (if applicable)

• Enclosing to “dry in” with roofing, sheathing, windows, and doors

• Roughing in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC

• Installing insulation and drywall

• Interior finishes such as paint, flooring, fixtures, and trim

• Restoring the exterior, such as leveling and reseeding the yard

Contractor supplier relationships help avoid backorders and delays. Trendy or overseas materials can face shipping issues that extend timelines, so be sure to plan your project in advance.

How Much Does a Home Addition Cost?

A home addition costs an average of $51,075, with most homeowners paying $21,940 to $83,360. Your total depends on the addition size, type, and chosen materials.

If you use a general contractor, the GC fee adds 10% to 20% to the total, and subcontracting can slow schedules. Selecting specialty or overseas materials can add to costs and timelines. Many additions deliver returns of 50% to 60% on investment.