Sunrooms add living space to your dwelling thereby increasing its value. The entire process of increasing that space can take less than a few weeks- much less than it would with the traditional ‘brick and mortar' method. However. the price will vary depending on the size and materials and even on the geographical location of your residence! Warmer climates may mean you will spend more on a cooling system while a cooler climate may have you on the other end of the spectrum, installing a heating system.

Depending on the area used, material and design, building a sunroom can run you anywhere from $12.000 to $70.000. That can be a huge chunk of change but it's cheaper (and easier) than adding on the traditional ‘den' or guest bedroom. When you factor in how much you can save with a do-it-yourself kit, which knocks off labor charges, you begin to get a real idea of the possible value. Nearly 70% of the investment cost is returned in its ability to increase a home's value.

Figuring the Cost of a Sunroom

The first step to figuring true sunroom prices will be by way of research. You will need to make yourself privy to not just the cost of sunrooms but the cost of materials, labor and furniture items. You may have a good idea in your mind what you want but waiting to find out certain details until the last minute can run you into an undesirable financial crunch, Realize that this investment will likely require a budget and if you want the best materials, you'll have to budget those in. Roofing systems and furniture items also need a place in your budget, too!

Other Factors to Consider in Choosing a Sunroom

When it comes to a sunroom, visions of family gatherings and get-together with friends give us lofty ideals of what we think we need. This can later come back to haunt you in the end. The best thing to do is to start small and as the planning goes on, move up the area or space you think you will need, if necessary. Why? Remember that the bigger the sunroom, the higher the cost. Although sunrooms repay that cost nicely, you wouldn't want to add a $50.000 sunroom to a home that costs $100.000 if the other houses in the neighborhood only run about $80.000- $90.000.

Go with an established contractor that warranties all their products and materials extensively. Some offer lifetime warranties, some only offer warranties for 20 years. Remember to ask if the warranty is transferable should you ever need to sell your home. This alone can increase the resale value- one of the main reasons many add on to their home to begin with!