There comes a time for many families in Delaware when their home is no longer the perfect fit it once was. Whether it lacks adequate space for your current household or the right kind of space for your preferred lifestyle, it simply doesn’t fit anymore.
When that time comes, there’s a simple solution: a custom home addition. Rather than leaving the house you love and the community with which you are familiar, you can expand and restructure your home to better suit the next stage of your life. If you’re considering a room addition in Delaware, the cost can vary widely depending on the type of space, size, and finishes you choose. Bromwell Construction Company is an expert design-build professional serving Delaware and nearby Pennsylvania. We're excited to walk you through it.
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Types of Home Additions in Delaware
There are numerous ways to add on to your home in New Castle County. You can build up or out, depending on the size of your property, the type of space you're adding, and your landscaping. You can expand an existing space, such as the kitchen or master suite, or add on an entirely new bedroom, bathroom, home office, family room, or other room. Hiring a design-build remodeler means you can tailor-make your new space to feel connected to your existing home, while achieving all of your home addition goals.
What is the Average Cost for a House Addition?
While the exact cost of your project will depend on the type and size of the addition you choose, the average cost is about $150,000 in Delaware. This includes materials, labor, equipment, site preparation, and cleanup fees. However, the cost of a home addition can range between $150,000 and well over $300,000, depending on the scope of the project. On average, the cost of a home addition in Delaware ranges between $200 and $350 or more per square foot.
Here's a quick ballpark range for addition costs by type.
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Bathroom addition: $75,000–$125,000
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Bedroom addition: $100,000–$150,000
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Master suite addition: $150,000–$250,000
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Sunroom addition: $60,000–$120,000
Many homeowners find that their investment pays off since home additions often boost a property’s overall value in addition to improving comfort and functionality.
Factors Influencing Delaware Addition Costs
Some of the factors that affect house addition costs include:
- Whether your contractor needs to do excavation work, add footings, and the extent to which your contractor must expand your home's foundation
- If the space requires extensive electrical and/or plumbing work
- If the addition plan relocates your kitchen or bathroom
- Luxury materials and upgrades for cabinetry, tile, and finishes
- Special requirements, such as making the new room ADA-compliant or wheelchair accessible
- Incorporating unique features, such as a fireplace, skylight, or Jacuzzi bathtub
- The quality and grade of the flooring, fixtures, and finishes you select
For example, adding on a closet space for storage or a three-season sunroom is a less complex and less expensive project than adding on a luxury master suite with a bathroom that features upscale finishes and modern amenities.
If you'd like more specific numbers for the Delaware home addition you've got in mind, request an estimate here.
Is it Cheaper to Add On or Build Up?
Another factor that affects the cost of a home addition near Wilmington, Delaware, is whether you are expanding on the ground level or building a higher story. Typically, adding on is a more cost-effective option than building up, but even that equation contains a number of variables. Exploring creative ways to expand your home’s living space can also help you get a better sense of which approach offers the most value for your property.
If you’re building up, you must be sure your current foundation can safely handle the extra story, or you must pay extra to retrofit the foundation. However, building out will also require foundation work, depending on the size of the foundation. Building up also requires you to create a staircase on your first floor and tear off and rebuild your existing roof.
You also have to take into consideration the size and shape of your property. If your house is situated close to your property lines or next to a creek, you must factor in the flood zone, local setback requirements, and other home improvement regulations in New Castle County. Your county, town, or city regulations must also be taken into consideration. Would building up affect your neighbor’s views? Do you need to get a building variance to complete the addition? Is there a homeowners' association (HOA) for your neighborhood, and if so, does it have certain guidelines and restrictions for property owners? Are you working with a historic home that may present unique challenges when renovating such as removing or replacing outdated or toxic materials or requirements that the finished project must adhere to a dated time period of the location? All of these factors affect not only what your home addition may look like, but also the length of time and cost to complete it.
How Changes During Construction Impact Cost
Another common issue that can quickly increase your house addition costs is making changes to your design plans or material selections after the project has started. Also, demolition may reveal unexpected structural problems or hidden damage that must be addressed in order to move forward with the project and protect your investment. Hiring the right building contractor from the start can help prevent this by giving you insight into how your design plans will translate in the real world and by doing a thorough site evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Additions
Before diving into the details, it helps to address a few of the most common questions homeowners have when planning an addition. From timelines and costs to preparation and contractor selection, these FAQs will give you a clearer picture of what to expect during your project.
How long does a home addition take?
A typical home addition project takes three to six months for construction, depending on complexity and permit approvals. Smaller additions, like a simple sunroom or office, may finish sooner. Larger projects, such as a new primary suite or multi-room expansion, require more design, engineering, and construction time. Our design-build process keeps the schedule transparent, so you always know what’s happening next.
What is the most expensive part of a home addition?
The most expensive elements are usually foundation work, roofing, and any areas involving plumbing or electrical rerouting, like kitchens or bathrooms. Finishes, such as cabinetry, tile, and fixtures, can also significantly affect your total cost depending on the materials you select.
How can I prepare for my home addition project?
Before construction begins:
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Define your goals and ideal budget range
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Research design inspiration and functionality needs
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Contact a design-build contractor early to streamline permitting and planning
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Consider how construction may affect your daily routine
Can I live in my home during construction?
In many cases, yes. For smaller room additions or projects limited to one area, you can typically remain in your home throughout construction. For larger whole-house expansions or second-story builds, it may be safer and more comfortable to stay elsewhere temporarily. Bromwell Construction’s project managers use BuilderTrend to keep you updated with schedules, photos, and progress, whether you’re on-site or away.
How do I choose the right contractor for a home addition?
When hiring a home addition contractor, look for a company with:
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Proven experience in design-build projects
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Transparent, accurate pricing (no surprise change orders)
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Local knowledge of permitting and zoning laws
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A portfolio of completed additions similar to your vision
Getting the Most Value Out of a Home Addition
No matter the size or scope of your Delaware or Pennsylvania room addition, you can make the most of your project by working with a professional contractor who helps you acquire the proper building variances and/or permits before starting construction and fully nailing down your specifications and selections during the design phase. Bromwell Construction Company knows what common issues homeowners face when planning to expand or add on a new room. We can help you design and execute a custom addition that meets your future goals while enhancing the essence of your existing home.
Bromwell Construction proudly serves homeowners not only throughout Delaware, including Wilmington, Hockessin, Greenville, and Middletown, but also in nearby Pennsylvania communities such as Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, and West Chester. Ready to talk to the pros about your project? Reach out to us here.
