Anyone have any ideas what the cost of additions are these days in S. Calif? I heard $125-$150 per sq ft?
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In southern California, $125-150/SF "might" get you the permits.....
Seriously, it's not quite that bad, but I can guarantee you that you're not going to get an addition built for that. There are guys in CA getting $200/SF just for a basic shell- foundation, frame, roofing and siding- no interiors. Depending on what's in the addition (added kitchen space and bathrooms cost the most), you could easily spend twice that and be in the $350-400 range.
You'll also have to consider seismic upgrades to the existing structure. If it wasn't built very recently and the addition is a decent size, you'll most likely have to go back into the existing structure to add seismic holddowns and reinforcing.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's reality- especially in CA.
Bob
Thanks for the reply. We just met with the architect on Monday to see where to go from here. I'm getting nervous about the whole thing. I realize sometimes it's better to sell the house and just go out and look for something else (cost wise). Thanks for your input.
That's always a possibility, but you'll probably find that most homes for sale in your area are running over $500/SF. Given that, if you're looking to add 200 SF, even if it costs you $400/SF, that's still cheaper than spending $500/SF for a new house that's 200 SF larger. A lot depends on how happy you are with the current neighborhood and the rest of the house that'll remain unchanged- that's got to factor into the equation too.
And I thought the housing market in NJ was crazy......lol.
Best of luck,
Bob
Yes the market is nuts over here. My home is only 1200 sq and the med price in my neighborhood is around 575K!!!!Not to mention a few blocks from me the homes are even smaller and the price doesn't go down by much.
Thanks for the input.
"I realize sometimes it's better to sell the house and just go out and look for something else (cost wise)."
Probably not if you are staying in the same neighborhood. Don't forget that there is a healthy chunk that gets eaten up by realtor's fees, usually about 6%. Then closing costs on the loan (assuming you have one) and costs of moving - you may come out better financially to stay put and build.
It also depends much on the size of the addition too-figure 40k for the crew to just to show up with some materials to start working. The more space you add the less cost per sf it works out to. Of course bathrooms and kitchens and 2nd floor additions will be substantially more expensive than a family room or additional bedroom tacked on the back.
Seriously, as an architectural designer I get asked this all the time and must say I no longer answer because of skyrocketing construction materials costs, and being in an area that contractors are so busy they just start simply start charging more. Ballparks are as close as I will venture
I am in Southern California -San Diego -where real estate in my modest neighborhood is 600 sf and the market is pretty well insane. I am busy w/ projects, as you know the property tax structure in CA doesn't nail you near as much w/additions as moving. Like others said, if you like your neighborhood and you are not overbuilding for it, it is often a good investment as well as making your life better.
I suggest you design the heck out of it before you consider to build-be consistent with the quality of construction and design to match or even exceed the best parts of the original structure. Consider finishing much of the casework and other finish work later after you have a well constructed shell to live in.
I just designed a modest 300 sf addition for a 1918 bungalow, enlarging a master bedroom, new walk-in-closet and adding a master bath and a 3rd bath piggybacked behind it. The clients moved in the bedroom but the bathrooms are just nice big (plumbed) closets right now. The young couple with two very young daughters will need the bathrooms eventually but can live with out for now and will finish them as their needs warrant. You have to get creative-that's what I love about my job-after reviving the clients when the bids come in. Yikes!