Sunroom Addition Cost: The Pros And Cons Of Adding One

From Vitamin D production to enjoying the fresh air, you’d be pressed to find someone who doesn’t like 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 way to complete your home. But 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 sunroom addition costs and the many options available. With the right knowledge and prep, you can decide if a sunroom is right for you.

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. 

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.

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 type of sunroom you want.

Four-Season Room

• Price Range: $25,000 - $80,000

A four-season room is one of the costliest sunroom additions you can get because of the materials required. Since a four-season room is usable during, well, all four seasons, 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 just like an extension of your home, but with large windows and plenty of natural light.

Three-Season Room

• $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 costly.

Glass Solarium

• $30,000 – $75,000

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

Conservatories

• $5,000 – $80,000

Plant conservatories are a dedicated space for an indoor garden or indoor plants. While you can certainly put in some lounge furniture, conservatories are usually built with plant life, not comfort, in mind. 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.

Atriums

• $10,000 – $35,000

An atrium is a space with a glass roof and is a great option for homeowners looking to brighten up their home. Typically, atriums are best for those who already have a spare room or extra space and are just looking for a little more sunlight.

Since you’ll only be paying for new roof construction with an atrium, the costs tend to be far less than those of 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. While you can opt to DIY a sunroom – there are even sunroom construction kits available with this in mind – it’s usually 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, 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, be sure to consider your skillset, free time and budget to make the right choice for you and your home.

Additional Costs

While materials and labor make up the crux of your total costs, 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 to 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 carefully consider if getting HVAC is worth it to you.
• Electrical. Whether you want a ceiling fan, light fixture or some outlets available for everyday use, adding electrical to your sunroom will also cost you. On average, it costs $350 to hire a licensed electrician, with costs varying per job.

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
• Dedicated space for gardening/plants

Sunroom Cons

• Sunrooms can be expensive
• You’ll have to get a building permit
• An increase in property tax
• Additional utility expenses
• Potential insurance rate adjustments

Buying or building a sunroom addition can be expensive. With the cost of materials, labor and expenses you may not have even considered, 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. While you can save money with a little sweat equity action, make sure you’re confident that it won’t be at the expense of your sunroom’s quality.

At the end of the day, remember to enjoy your home and create a space that works for you.

Looking for more inspiration on your next home project? Check out the Rocket Homes^SM Homeowner Guide for information and tips.