thanks all - we're looking in Bethesda, and were hoping to spend around $200K but not sure how much we can really get for that... this is really helpful though.

We recently did this and received several quotes that were all in the same ballpark. A one story kitchen + family room addition will cost you at least $200K. Two stories will be at least $350K, probably closer to $400K. Our project took about 6 months, but I know many people who have done similar projects and it can take much longer. And we used mid-to-high finishes, certainly not high end (no Viking, custom cabinets, expensive tile, etc.).

Pricing out an addition by square footage doesn't work since there are so many tie-ins with the additional space, plus you have to make changes to the existing space (you don't want to leave the old kitchen in tact, for example).

And the person who added an office and a bedroom wouldn't be relevant to your cost. These rooms don't require gas or plumbing, so the cost is considerably less. The kitchen is usually the most expensive part of a project.

Anonymous wrote:We did a 3 story addition 2 years ago adding the same space you are talking about plus an unfinished basement and it cost almost 300k. Ours was much bigger than the person who said 9x14... It was more like 18x26...

That sound pretty high , hopefully high end finishing and not scumbag contractors ripping off victims

Anonymous wrote:We did a 3 story addition 2 years ago adding the same space you are talking about plus an unfinished basement and it cost almost 300k. Ours was much bigger than the person who said 9x14... It was more like 18x26...

Sorry, 9x18...can't type...

We did a 3 story addition 2 years ago adding the same space you are talking about plus an unfinished basement and it cost almost 300k. Ours was much bigger than the person who said 9x14... It was more like 18x26...

It also depends on where in the DC area you are located. It is a PITA for contractors to work in DC - and they charge a premium for it.

Anonymous wrote:we're looking at a nice colonial - the steps are sort of in the middle, but not a typical one. Anyhow, we're thinking of adding a big kitchen/family room addition to the back and maybe, if we could afford it, a master suite upstairs. How much does that run? we'd probably not dig down to extend the basement. And how long did yours take? Are you glad you did it? Thanks.

We did a 2 story addition last year on a colonial for an office and a bedroom. We also redid an upstairs bathroom in the process. Footprint was 9x18 (this was driven by the current sceened in porch/slab). Total cost ~100K.

Anonymous wrote:ten years ago the rough estimate from our realtor (for the purposes of comparing properties) was $250k. I would multiply that by at least 1.5 to get today's price. Design-build firms in this area are not hurting for business, despite the economy. Kitchens and baths are expensive b/c of the plumbing, gas, electrical, etc.

Materials matter, too. Brick exterior is a lot more than aluminum siding or stucco, for example.

this is the dumbest shit i have read today. 10 years a go and then multiple by 1.5? WTF. You can build an entire mcmansion for that price .

ten years ago the rough estimate from our realtor (for the purposes of comparing properties) was $250k. I would multiply that by at least 1.5 to get today's price. Design-build firms in this area are not hurting for business, despite the economy. Kitchens and baths are expensive b/c of the plumbing, gas, electrical, etc.

Materials matter, too. Brick exterior is a lot more than aluminum siding or stucco, for example.

OP, assume the cost per sq foot to be somewhere between $200 and $250 per foot. It depends on whther you go into the ground, type of fixtures, finishes, whether you move plumbing all over, etc.

We paid $50K to gut an existance kitchen. We had to move plumbing and wiring but did not add walls or extend the house. I think $150K is on the low end for what you're proposing. Good-luck!

i bet you the quote will be 250k where it should really just be 75-100k

Anonymous wrote:dont be a dumbass. figure out the square footage and then multiply.

Really? What an unhelpful response. Why even bother posting?

dont be a dumbass. figure out the square footage and then multiply.

we're looking at a nice colonial - the steps are sort of in the middle, but not a typical one. Anyhow, we're thinking of adding a big kitchen/family room addition to the back and maybe, if we could afford it, a master suite upstairs. How much does that run? we'd probably not dig down to extend the basement. And how long did yours take? Are you glad you did it? Thanks.