Sunroom Addition Cost: A Complete Breakdown

You’d be pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a little sunshine. But with uncertain weather, pesky bugs or a high UV index, sometimes actually sitting outside isn’t the best experience.

If you’re looking to soak in some sun without all the fuss, a sunroom addition could be the perfect solution. Before tackling this renovation, it’s important to consider some realities of getting a sunroom, like the budget, planning and maintenance.

In this article, we’ll explore average sunroom addition costs so you can decide if your sunroom ideas are worth the expense.

How Much Does A Sunroom Addition Cost?

According to HomeAdvisor’s most recent data, sunroom additions can cost anywhere from $8,000 – $80,000. On average, most people typically pay $30,000 for a sunroom addition. Your final cost can vary by location, addition size and the materials you choose.

If this sounds pricey, remember that sunrooms are still a type of large-scale renovation. When adding square footage to your home, the upfront costs may be a sizable investment. But the return-on-investment and extra space could be well worth it. Let’s take a closer look at the costs of adding a sunroom.

Factors That Contribute To Sunroom Cost

The final cost of a sunroom addition can vary greatly. Let’s dive into the specifics to give you a better idea of what you can expect to pay.

Size And Type

Like most home improvements, the main factor behind a sunroom’s cost is the size. Larger additions will need more materials, not to mention, more time for construction which can drive up labor costs.

The best first step? Figure out which of the available types of sunroom you want.

Four-Season Room

• Price Range: $25,000 - $80,000

A four-season room is one of the most expensive sunroom additions you can get because of the materials required. A four-season room is usable during, well, all four seasons. Since you’ll have it accessible every season, you'll need windows, doors and roofing with high insulation grades to withstand both the heat and cold.

A four-season sunroom generally looks and feels like an extension of your home, but it comes with large windows and plenty of natural light.

Three-Season Room

• Price Range: $10,000 – $40,000

A three-season room still offers homeowners extra space, but may not be equipped for extreme heat or cold. Usually built with floor-to-ceiling windows, this kind of sunroom is less insulated – but also less expensive.

Glass Solarium

• Price Range: $30,000 – $75,000

While four- and three-season rooms are an extension of your home’s interior, glass solariums are an elevated outdoor space. Glass solariums are perfect for enjoying sunlight and nature when it’s warm outside. But they offer little to no protection from the cold during chillier months.

Conservatory

• Price Range: $5,000 – $80,000

Plant conservatories are a dedicated space for an indoor garden or indoor plants. You can certainly put in some lounge furniture, but conservatories usually prioritize plant life, not comfort. Sprinklers or temperature and humidity regulating systems may be a good idea, depending on what you plan to grow. But such features can also add to the final cost.

Atrium

• Price Range: $10,000 – $35,000

An atrium is a space with a glass roof. It’s a great option for homeowners looking to brighten up their home. Typically, atriums are best for those who already have a spare room and want a little more sunlight.You’ll only pay for new roof construction with an atrium. Because of this, the costs tend to be far less than a whole sunroom addition.

Materials

The cost of materials varies by size and sunroom type. In most cases, sunroom additions which require building a new interior room will be pricier than those intended for outdoor use.

Here are some price ranges to expect for the materials of different sunroom types:

• Four-season room: $15,000 – $60,000
• Three-season room: $5,000 – $30,000
• Glass solarium: $20,000 – $50,000
• Conservatory: $3,000 – $60,000
• Atrium: $4,000 – $20,000

Labor

Like any renovation, a sizable chunk of the cost will go toward professional labor. You can do-it-yourself (DIY) a sunroom with a prefab kit, but it’s often best to leave things to the experts. This is especially true if you have no prior construction or carpentry experience.

A botched addition can compromise your home’s structural integrity or require costly repairs down the road. Plus, at the end of the day, you’ll still need the time and elbow grease to get the job done.

However, we’d be remiss to ignore the savings that DIY construction can yield. Building a sunroom yourself may cost as little as $500 – $1,500 in tools or a DIY kit. This costs far less than the $5,000 – $25,000 range you’ll find when hiring a professional.

When deciding whether to DIY your sunroom or hire a professional, consider your skillset, the sweat equity you’re willing to put in and your budget.

Additional Costs

Materials and labor make up the crux of your total costs. However, there are other expenses to be aware of before moving forward with a sunroom addition. Here are some of them:

• Building permit fees: When getting an addition, you’ll need permission from the proper municipalities. This will help avoid issues with insurance or listing your home at a later date. According to HomeAdvisor, building permits can cost $400 – $1,800.
• Site preparation: When building a new space, you need clear and level land. Though not always necessary, the cost to clear and prep a construction site ranges between $500 and $5,600. Excavation, clearing out dirt, gravel or other obstructions, ranges between $1,300 and $4,600.
• HVAC: Want your sunroom to have heating and air conditioning? That’ll be an additional $300 – $6,000. Remember, mostly glass spaces aren’t likely to keep air in. So you should carefully consider if getting an HVAC system is worth it to you.
• Electrical: Whether you want a ceiling fan, light fixture or some outlets, adding electrical will also cost you. On average, it costs $350 to hire a licensed electrician, with costs varying per job.

Is The Cost To Build A Sunroom Worth It? The Pros And Cons

Still on the fence about getting a sunroom? We’ve broken down some of their pros and cons to help you decide.

Sunroom Pros

• You’ll have more natural light.
• Sunrooms are energy efficient.
• You’ll have more space.
• More square footage means increased home value.
• Sunrooms have great curb appeal.
• Sunrooms can act as a private outdoor area.
• You can create a dedicated space for gardening/plants.

Sunroom Cons

• The cost to build a sunroom can be expensive.
• You’ll have to get a building permit.
• You may see an increase in property tax.
• You may acquire additional utility expenses.
• There may be home insurance rate adjustments.

FAQs About Sunroom Addition Costs

Below, we’ll get even more familiar with the costs of a sunroom addition with some FAQs.

How much value does a sunroom addition add?

According to HomeAdvisor, a sunroom addition can have a return on investment of about 50% of the addition’s cost. That means if you spent $5,000 on renovations, it could add approximately $2,500 to your home’s overall value.

Is it cheaper to add a sunroom or a standard room?

According to HomeAdvisor, the average home addition costs $49,873. Although the total cost will depend on a number of factors, a standard room addition will likely cost more than the $30,000 average for a sunroom addition.

Do sunrooms count as square footage?

Sunrooms typically don’t count toward the square footage on a real estate listing. However, they can add functional living space to your home that adds value in a different way.

How long does it take to add a sunroom to a house?

The average sunroom addition can take 2 – 3 months to complete. But don’t be surprised if your project is delayed due to supply shortages or unexpected obstacles that come up during construction.

What’s the life expectancy of a sunroom?

How long a sunroom lasts depends on the type of sunroom, materials used and maintenance. However, you can expect a sunroom to last anywhere from 10 – 50 years.

The Bottom Line: Weigh The Cost Of A Sunroom Addition Against Its Financial And Functional Value

Buying or building a sunroom addition can be expensive. With the cost of materials, labor and unexpected expenses, it’s a big purchase to think about carefully. Identify your wants and needs. Would the extra space help you enjoy your home more? Do you have a green thumb that would benefit from a dedicated garden area?

Also consider if you’re equipped to DIY the project or if you’d need to hire professional help. You can save money with a little sweat equity. Just make sure you’re confident that it won’t be at the expense of your sunroom’s quality.

Ready to start building a sunroom addition? Consider tapping into your home’s equity with a cash-out refinance to fund the construction or materials. Fill out an application with Rocket Mortgage^® today.