Highlights
A sunroom typically runs $20,800–$72,600.
Sunrooms generally cost $150–$300 per square foot.
There are different types of sunrooms to choose from.
A sunroom home addition has a 49% ROI.
If you’re considering a sunroom addition to enjoy the change of seasons or build out a perfect reading and relaxation area, a small sunroom could cost as little as $5,000 to build. And a large luxury sunroom could cost as much as $140,000. The cost depends on several factors, including the location of your home, cost of materials, and the size of the sunroom you want to add on.
“A sunroom is a wonderful, low-cost addition to a house,” says Bob Tschudi, an Expert Review Board Member and general contractor based in Raleigh, N.C. “In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, these structures extend your living space in an economical way.”
| Average Range | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $20,800 – $72,600 | $5,000 | $140,000 |
Cost to Build a Sunroom Near You
The cost of a sunroom varies depending on where you live. Here are some common cost ranges for different U.S. cities:
| City | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $6,000 – $100,000 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $6,000 – $75,000 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $2,500 – $110,000 |
| Aurora, IL | $2,500 – $150,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | $2,500 – $90,000 |
| Atlanta | $2,500 – $90,210 |
| Charlotte, NC | $2,500 – $80,000 |
| Dallas | $2,500 – $80,000 |
| Philadelphia | $2,500 – $120,000 |
| Rochester, NY | $2,500 – $90,000 |
| Portland, ME | $2,500 – $70,000 |
Types of Sunrooms
There’s no one-sunroom-fits-all, and the type of sunroom you build will impact your final cost.
Four-Season Room
A four-season room is an insulated room that can be used during all seasons. This super-powered insulation doesn’t come cheap, and you can expect to pay between $25,000 and $80,000 for a four-season room, according to HomeAdvisor.
Three-Season Room
A three-seasons room is a less-insulated version of a four-season room, so it will be colder in the winter months and hotter in the summer months. Three-season rooms typically cost between $10,000 and $40,000.
Glass Solarium
This is a glass room that is a true extension of your outdoor space—not only are the walls glass, but the roof is, too. The cost to build a glass solarium is between $30,000 and $75,000.
Conservatory or Garden Room
A conservatory, or a garden room, is basically a greenhouse that’s inclosed so you don’t have to worry about the weather. Because there are so many different designs, the cost varies widely, from $5,000 up to $80,000.
Atrium
An atrium with a roof is an interior room with a glass roof instead of a regular one. However, the walls of an atrium are typically already built, so costs only include the building of the glass ceiling. This means the cost tends to be less than other types of sunrooms, at around $10,000 to $35,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Sunroom by Type?
Atriums with roofs: $10,000–$35,000
Conservatories and garden rooms: $5,000– to $80,000
Glass solariums: $30,000–$75,000
Three-season rooms: $10,000–$40,000
Four-season rooms: $25,000–$80,000
While building a sunroom can be a costly endeavor, they have a 49% return on investment (ROI), which is on the high end for a home addition and will increase your home’s value by half the cost of the addition.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Sunroom per Square Foot?
On average, it costs between $150 and $300 per square foot to build a sunroom. The price depends on a number of factors, including the type of sunroom you’re building. Generally, four-season sunroom and conservatory costs are on the higher end of the spectrum, while three-season sunrooms, glass solariums, and atriums are on the lower end.
How Large of a Sunroom Can I Build on My Budget?
$5,000
With a $5,000 budget, a conservatory or a garden room is the best choice. You may have to skimp on labor costs, but many companies offer prefabricated kits you can DIY. A $5,000 budget might also allow for the conversion of a screened-in porch to a sunroom, depending on your location and material costs.
$20,000
For $20,000, you can build a mid-priced atrium, a lower-priced conservatory or garden room, or a mid-priced three- season room. On average, a 12’ x 20’ three-season room costs around $19,000 to build.
$35,000
For $35,000, you can build a mid-level conservatory or solarium, a higher-end three-season room or atrium, or a lower-end four-season room. Consider the differences in the rooms before you make your choice:
$50,000
For $50,000, you can opt for a larger glass solarium or higher-end three- season rooms. A more expensive 12’ x 20’ three-season room costs $55,000 on average. A four-season room is also a good choice with a $50,000 budget for a basic 12’ x 20’ or a higher-end 10’ x 16’ room.
$75,000
At a $75,000 price point, four-season rooms, glass solariums, and conservatories are your best choice. You can build a nice mid-sized four- season room for $75,000, or a slightly less luxurious larger four- season room.
Sunroom Average Cost Breakdown
Permits & Insurance
Any addition to your home requires a building permit, which costs between $400 and $1,500. Acquiring a permit usually takes between two and eight weeks, and is an essential step in the process. This ensures that everything is up to code and meets insurance requirements.
“If you are working with a licensed general contractor, make sure that they are insured,” says Tschudi. “If you are a DIYer, contact your insurance agent to add coverage for your construction. That way, the materials, the subcontractors, and even your entire house is protected.”
Site Preparation
If there’s no existing foundation to build on, expect to pay between $500 and $5,600 to clear the land and prepare the construction site. If you need trees removed you can expect to pay around $700 per tree, and land excavation comes in at a cost of $1,300 to $4,600.
Foundation
Pouring the foundation for a new sunroom costs between $1,000 and $6,000, depending on the square footage.
Insulation
Insulation costs between $500 and $1,500, depending on the materials and square footage of the room. If you’re building a four- season room, for instance, expect higher insulation costs to maintain a comfortable temperature during warmer and colder times of the year.
Roof
Installing a roof on your sunroom will cost between $3,600 and $8,500 depending on the type of structure and the materials used to build the roof. Asphalt shingles cost less than a glass roof, for example.
Windows and Doors
Including labor and the window unit, window installation costs between $3,500 and $15,000. If you’d like to walk out into your gardens from the sunroom, patio door installation adds another $1,300 to $11,000, including labor and the door unit.
Electricity
Running electricity from your home to your new addition will require the expertise of a professional. Depending on whether or not your contractor is a licensed electrician, you may need to hire a separate contractor to do your wiring. Electricians usually charge $50 to $100 per hour. The most popular electrical features for sunrooms are:
Outlets: $130–$270 per outlet
Ceiling fans: $150–$350
Lighting fixture: $150–$800 each
Home automation system: $400–$1,800
Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
The cost to add heating and central air conditioning to your sunroom is $2,300 to $20,500. The price varies depending on whether or not you’re expanding your existing ductwork or installing a ductless mini-split system. A cheaper alternative is using a window air conditioning unit and a space heater, but those items can have a significant impact on your utility bills.
Interior Finishing
Finishes can range from $200 to $9,000, based on how much you have planned for the interior design. Expect to spend $1,500 to $4,300 on flooring and $2 to $6 per square foot on painting. If you start planning well in advance, you can find good deals on furniture for the room, bringing your costs down.
Cleanup
If you’re hiring a general contractor to help with the construction of your new sunroom addition, oftentimes, the cleanup cost will be rolled into the total project price. However, if you’re cleaning up a construction yourself or want to hire a crew, plan on another $280 to $670. Dumpster rental and haul-away usually costs around $300 to $525.
Landscaping
Adding final cosmetic touches with landscaping costs usually ranges in cost between $1,400 and $5,500.
Cost to Build a Sunroom Yourself
If you’re going to build a sunroom yourself, a prefabricated kit is the easiest option. They are factory-built and shipped to the construction site, but are typically more modest three-season rooms and may not last as long as custom-built options. However, if you’re looking to build a four-season sunroom, you’ll need contractors to pour foundation, install insulation and windows, wire electricity, put in an HVAC system, and various other things that require specialized knowledge and training. So, even if you go the DIY route, you’re still looking at almost $20,000 out-of-pocket.
Questions and Answers about Building a Sunroom
How much does it cost to build a 20-by-20-foot sunroom?
While the costs for different types of sunrooms vary greatly, the typical cost to build a sunroom is between $150 and $300 per square foot. This means that it’ll cost about $60,000 and $120,000 to build a 20-by-20-foot sunroom.
How much does it cost to build a 12-by-12-foot sunroom?
Depending on the type you build, it will cost about $22,000to $43,000 for a 12-by-12-foot sunroom.
How much does it cost to build a 14-by-14-foot sunroom?
The average cost to build a 14-by-14-foot sunroom is $29,000 to $59,000.
Can you have a sunroom in a cold climate?
You can definitely build a sunroom in any climate—as long as it’s well-insulated. If you live in a cold climate, a four-season sunroom will stay warm even when it’s chilly outside. Other types of sunrooms, like a three-season room or a glass solarium, won’t be a great fit for cold weather.
