When you decide you want to build an addition for your home, it’s likely that one of the first questions you ask yourself is “What is the price per square foot for a home addition in Toronto?” In this article, we will answer that question, outlining the price per square foot for a variety of different types of home additions and describing each of them, as well as discussing how plans and permits can affect costs.
Please note, though, that the costs we outline are the average price based on research at the time of writing and could be subject to change.
Key Takeaways
- A basement addition typically costs $177 per square foot
- A second story addition ranges from $300 to $395 per square foot
- A garage addition costs about $330 per square foot
- A sunroom addition costs between $250 and $380 per square foot
- An extension on concrete slab ranges from $300 to $455 per square foot
- An extension on piles costs around $390 per square foot
How Much Does an Addition Cost in Ontario?
Basement (Average Price: $177 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $44,250 |
| 400 | $70,800 |
| 800 | $141,600 |
| 1,000 | $177,000 |
| 1,200 | $212,400 |
Adding a basement to your home consists of a lot of excavation and structural work. When excavating to ensure your new basement will have enough height, underpinning must be done to stabilize the home and strengthen the foundation. After excavation is completed, a new foundation, footings, and walls will be built.
A new basement space can be anything you want from an entertainment area to a home office or gym to an additional living unit for family or to rent out. If the space needs plumbing, then the location of the main water supply and drain will need to be verified and the drain will need to be brought down to below grade in the event that it is above the floor.
Second Story (Average Price: $300 to $395 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $75,000 to $98,750 |
| 400 | $120,000 to $158,000 |
| 800 | $240,000 to $316,000 |
| 1,000 | $300,000 to $395,000 |
| 1,200 | $360,000 to $474,000 |
A second story is a popular home addition known to greatly increase your property value. Based on the complexity of the design, adding a second story could take around 6 months to complete, with 2 to 3 months allocated to planning and another 3 months for the actual construction. Aside from the size of the project, there are other factors that could affect the cost of a second story addition.
For example, if you are simply replicating the floor plan of an existing level for your new level, this will make the addition more affordable than a complex design. Building up also means taking into account the exterior of your home. The new addition should match the aesthetic of your home or at least look cohesive even if it’s not a perfect match.
Garage (Average Price: $330 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $82,500 |
| 400 | $132,000 |
| 800 | $264,000 |
| 1,000 | $330,000 |
| 1,200 | $396,000 |
If you have enough space in the front of your home, your backyard, or side yard, a garage addition may be in your best interest. A contractor can properly measure the area and determine if this type of addition is feasible in regard to city guidelines.
While you can construct a garage as just a place to store your car, this is not the only thing you can do with the space. By building this type of addition with access to the main part of your home, you can turn it into a family room, an additional bedroom, or bathroom. The options are essentially limitless for the kind of space this can be.
Sunroom (Average Price: $250 to $380 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $62,500 to $95,000 |
| 400 | $100,000 to $152,000 |
| 800 | $200,000 to $304,000 |
| 1,000 | $200,000 to $304,000 |
| 1,200 | $300,000 to $456,000 |
When it comes to sunroom addition cost, it is important to consider what the room itself will be constructed on, whether a concrete slab or piles. Piles are the most commonly chosen foundation, but concrete is more practical. Ultimately, both have merits which will soon be discussed.
You will also have to consider ventilation and insulation, as well as air conditioning in the summer months and heating in the winter months. It is often recommended that if your sunroom addition is south-facing, slightly tinted windows should be installed to prevent the internal temperature of the space from rising too high in warmer weather.
Extension on Concrete Slab (Average Price: $300 to $455 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $75,000 to $113,750 |
| 400 | $120,000 to $182,000 |
| 800 | $240,000 to $364,000 |
| 1,000 | $300,000 to $455,000 |
| 1,200 | $360,000 to $546,000 |
Extending your home by building an addition on a concrete slab is a great practical option. Instead of excavating to create a new foundation, a concrete slab that only needs to be poured once, also known as monolithic concrete, can be used as both a foundation and the floor of your addition.
As well, a concrete slab is much more effective at retaining heat during the winter than other options, which will make insulating your new extension a lot easier. However, it is important to ensure that your property is durable enough to handle this kind of structure. An experienced contractor can help you verify whether this is the case or not.
Extension on Piles (Average Price: $390 per square foot)
| Square Footage | Cost |
|---|---|
| 250 | $97,500 |
| 400 | $156,000 |
| 800 | $312,000 |
| 1,000 | $390,000 |
| 1,200 | $468,000 |
Extending your home by building an addition on piles is a great cost effective option. Piles are supports driven into the ground that hold up a new extension of your home. They are less expensive than other foundation options which makes it a popular choice for many homeowners.
Unfortunately, insulating an addition on piles as opposed to concrete will be more difficult. Piles are also only good for the expansion of one floor. If there is a possibility that you will want to build up later on, a foundation will need to be poured.
How Do Permits and Plans Affect Your Home Addition Cost?
Before construction can begin on your home addition in Toronto, permits need to be acquired in order to make sure that your project is approved by the city and aligns with its rules and regulations. The cost of permits depends on the type of home addition, with the average price being $240.
To obtain a permit, you will have to submit a plan of the intended addition. In some cases, an authorized architect or technologist will need to sign the plans before submitting them for permit approval. Plans that involve an authorized architect typically cost between 10% and 20% of the total value of your project.
Final Thoughts
Throughout this article, we have discussed how much different types of home additions in Toronto cost on average, detailing the main aspects of each, and explaining the effect of plans and permits on those costs. At Black Pearl Custom Homes, we are committed to creating high-quality home additions that will be sure to suit all of your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost to add 1,000 square feet to a house depends entirely on the type of addition constructed. For a basement addition it will cost $177,000, while a garage addition is $330,000. A second story addition ranges from $300,000 to $395,000 and a sunroom addition is between $250,000 and $380,000. An extension on a concrete slab ranges from $300,000 to $355,000, whereas an extension on piles costs an average of $390,000.
The cheapest type of home addition in Toronto is adding a basement at an average cost of $177 per square foot.
The most expensive parts about home additions are the foundation and framing because they are vital for a sturdy structure and as such they don’t really have cost-saving options.
A bump-out addition can extend 3 feet from an existing wall and be up to 10 to 12 feet in length.
A second story addition will add the most value to your home, with an expected return on investment of approximately 65%.