Addition Renovations in Calgary: Cost Breakdown

According to recent estimates, two-thirds of Canadian homeowners—about 66%—have completed a home renovation project in the last two years. Many of these home renovations have included Calgary custom home additions. 

If your living needs have changed and you don't want to pick up and move away from your current home but need more space in your house, you might want to consider a custom home renovation in Calgary, specifically an addition renovation. 

Adding an addition to a house in Calgary has many benefits and a few considerations, with cost often being the biggest factor to consider. So, unsurprisingly, people thinking about addition renovations often ask themselves: How much does an addition cost—before they consider whether it is worth pursuing? This is understandable, considering the current economy and the housing crisis that's affecting millions of people in Canada and globally. 

So, to help you decide if adding an addition to a house in Calgary is worth it, we've provided a cost breakdown in this blog. When it comes to Calgary home renovation companies, Kavaleer is one of the best in the region, so our building and renovation experts have shared their pricing knowledge, which you can trust is true and accurate. 

What Are The Costs Associated With Addition Renovations In Calgary? 

So, what are Calgary home extension costs? This is a difficult question to answer. The costs associated with addition renovations in Calgary can vary based on everything from the type of addition being completed to the materials and labour hours needed. 

However, the average cost for a basic structure or room addition renovation ranges from about $225 to $450 per square foot. However, costs can increase significantly with the addition of cabinetry, kitchens, or bathrooms.

For an addition up to approximately 400 square feet, here are the typical costs broken down:

• Pre-construction costs: $10,000 to $17,000

• Foundation: $10,000 to $27,000 (depending on building method and materials)

• Framing: $15,000 to $38,000

• Roofing/Siding/Exterior work/Windows and Doors: $18,000 to $35,000

• Electrical/HVAC/Plumbing: $8,000 to $20,000

• Insulation/Drywall: $8,000 to $15,000 (depending on insulation method and drywall finish needed)

• Flooring/Finish Carpentry/Paint/Wall coverings: $15,000 to $25,000

These are only rough estimates. You'll need to speak with a reputable renovation company like Kavaleer to learn the specific costs associated with your addition renovation needs. 

When Are Addition Renovation Costs In Calgary More? 

As you now know there is no blanket cost for addiction renovations, so unsurprisingly there are times when addition renovation costs can be more than you think and you need to be prepared for this. 

Often, the cost of adding a second-story addition to a home can be more expensive and varies due to several factors. While a second-story addition does not require a new foundation, it must integrate with the existing roofing, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems on the main level, which can be costly. The home's foundation often also needs to be assessed to ensure it can support the new addition.

You should also note that a Calgary whole-home renovation that includes an addition can have very different pricing. While the entire project may cost more, the real cost of the addition will likely be less than a standalone addition project. This is because all the necessary trades will already be onsite, and the costs of planning and managing the project is spread out over a larger scope of work.

That's why it is best to speak with home renovation contractors in Calgary like Kavaleer, who can help you determine the estimated costs of your addition renovation so that you can plan your budget accordingly. 

Is Adding An Addition A Good Investment?

When you look into Calgary home extension costs and see the true pricing behind what home renovation companies charge, you might wonder if it's a good investment. The answer to this thought is a resounding yes. Addition renovations are primarily a good investment for two reasons. Let's discuss these reasons below: 

Financially Beneficial

Addition renovations are a financially sound decision. If you undertake a home addition renovation with a trusted Calgary home renovation company, you're guaranteed a positive return on investment. 

According to Remodel Magazine, a home addition's value can add between 50% and 60% of its total cost back to the value of your home. In monetary terms, this means that a $300,000 renovation addition can, over time, increase the value of your residential property by about $180,000. In addition, hypothetically, if the value of your home increases at a rate of about 7% annually, your renovation addition will also grow by around this rate, thanks to a compounding effect. 

This means that over a few years and with continued home maintenance, your renovation addition can grow in value, eventually paying for itself and earning you a profit if you ever decide to sell. So, everything from a sunroom addition in Calgary to a second-story addition in Calgary will add value to your home and is a good investment. 

Better Quality of Life

Beyond the financial gains, pursuing your home addition plans in Calgary also enhances the experience of living in your home. 

Addition renovations provide long-term benefits to your daily life, whether expanding your home to grow a family, more space for entertaining, or creating a quiet space to relax and unwind. 

Essentially, with a home addition renovation, you can create extra space for your needs so that you enjoy living in your home more, which for some is a bigger benefit than financial gains. 

Financial Pitfalls That Can Affect Addition Renovations

When undertaking an addition renovation in Calgary, it's natural that you want to avoid financial pitfalls. Unfortunately, many homeowners face tough decisions, and the wrong choice can lead to financial losses. These losses can cause a ripple effect, negatively impacting your renovation budget and lengthening the project timeline. 

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to avoid financial pitfalls when undertaking an addition renovation that will ensure you don't add unnecessary costs to your budget: 

Take Planning Seriously

Many homeowners don't take the planning stages as seriously as they should, which causes many problems with budgeting down the line. So, to avoid financial pitfalls during addition renovations, it's crucial to complete full project planning before starting with your home addition renovation. 

During planning, you must include all decisions and selections to ensure they are fully reflected in the budget. This way, proper planning allows design and budget to coexist, streamlining both the planning process and the actual building time.

Choose The Right Contractor 

It goes without saying, but choosing the right contractor can make or break your budget. Inexperienced contractors or those who want to rush through a job to get paid will leave you with incomplete additions or shoddy work that you need to have fixed sooner rather than later. 

That's why working with a contractor, like Kavaleer, who can provide design and engineering services and offer preliminary pricing while planning is your best bet at avoiding financial pitfalls. A reliable contractor will even go further by providing alternatives and cost analysis to help you stay on budget. 

Take Planning Seriously

A big financial mistake homeowners make is accepting basic quotes from contractors, thinking they've made positive progress. Avoid contractors who only provide a basic "quote" without thoroughly understanding your property, utilities, required finishes, and structural details. 

This is because quotes that disregard these build elements often result in inaccurate pricing estimates that only consider the minimum amount you might need to spend. Essentially, basic quotes often do not account for the intricacies of your specific project. The real costs, which can make the final cost greatly exceed the initial estimate, emerge during construction. This adds stress, requires urgent spur of the moment decisions, and erodes the relationship between the contractor and you.  

The main point here is: if you're just asking for a quote, that's all you're going to get. The value of partnering with a building professional and taking planning seriously can't be ignored.

Speak With A Renovations Expert At Kavaleer Today About Your Addition Renovation Goals

Now you know more about Calgary home extension costs and what to expect when you plan on undertaking a home addition renovation. Since costs can vary it is best to speak with Calgary home renovation companies like Kavaleer to determine how much your addition renovation will cost. 

We've been helping homeowners achieve their home expansion dreams for years and are eager to help you from start to finish. Contact us here and arrange a consultation to discuss your exact needs and wants. We can help!