Can't afford true addition, thinking about a sunroom, then converting it. Anyone done this?

[Anonymous]

We want to put a master bedroom onto the back of our house, but found the bids we got were too high. We only want to spend $40,000, 12'x20' space.

I've read that putting on a prefab sunrooms is a lot cheaper. How hard would it be to make it livable year round?
And anyone know the cost?

[Anonymous]

I think you will regret this in this climate. These rooms are not meant to be four season and you will end up with a cold room that leaks heat during the winter and drives up your utility bills.

[missulka]

You can try to contact Michal from MM Remodeling (202-247-7030) - his prices are not so high - he might be able to build the master bedroom on your budget - he has great reviews on Yelp - goo.gl/H2n8z

[Anonymous]

How much was the bid you got? Was that for an entirely finished space? Can you get them to put a shell up within your budget? And then if so, what can you get them to add to the shell and stay within budget? You can come back and get the finishes at some point in the future when you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

op, we got some quotes on enclosing our deck with a prefab sunroom (a smaller space than 12 by 12), and it was at least $30k. one of our neighbors with a similar house, we later learned, had looked into into it a year or two earlier and gotten similar quotes.

[Anonymous]

Try looking for contractors father out, the close in ones rip.you off because think they are entitled to live the same lifestyle as a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try looking for contractors father out, the close in ones rip.you off because think they are entitled to live the same lifestyle as a lawyer.

Well most of them probably work harder than a lot of lawyers, so they probably deserve it.

[Anonymous]

Please can you share what bids you got for building the addition? That shoudl be about 240 sq feet. We're planning on doing something similar but haven't yet got bids.

[Anonymous]

Bids were for $70K. Included a small master bath w shower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try looking for contractors father out, the close in ones rip.you off because think they are entitled to live the same lifestyle as a lawyer.

This is an odd comment. At least builders do actual, tangible work.

[Anonymous]

I get what 6:49 is saying. There is some truth to it. The farther ones also do not have hefty overhead.

[Anonymous]

Do not do a half-assed renovation. If you can't afford an addition, wait until you can. Or invest in some improvements to your existing space to make it more livable. Anytime I have tried to do something on the cheap, I've been disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bids were for $70K. Included a small master bath w shower.

Thanks, that's very useful. We're looking at something similar and without having any quotes yet I was thinking $75-100k was likely. We're looking at a half bath only and about 300 sq foot (150 each on two floors).

My view on the sun room woudl be to wait until you can afford to do it properly. You likely wouldn't get much use out of a sunroom anyway and costs of sunroom plus converting sunroom woudl be more than just building the addition in the first place.

[Anonymous]

ITA 13:41 - but it depends on the neighborhood. You don't want to price yourself out of the neighborhood.

OTOH, if there are new, beautiful homes going up - do NOT make your house a knock down by ugly additions.

My friend lives in a neighborhood that is now mostly nice, new homes (hers too); but when she moved in just a few years ago there were just the old brick boxes. Sometimes people add columns, windows, paint, or a room her and there, but they are still ugly old brick boxes. You don't want that.

[Anonymous]

You could put a sun room and use it as a bedroom, why not? Make sure the glass you use is energy-efficient and provides excellent insulation. You can use blinds which block sunlight and offer privacy if you wish to use the sun room as a bedroom. My friend has done just this – she uses her sun room that overlooks the lawn as a spare bedroom whenever she guests for the night and space is too tight.