A home addition (based on our own pricing and budgeting in 2023/2024) in Toronto can easily range from $420 000 to $820 000 (taxes included) relying on the:
- The proportion of the existing house that is being renovated
- How much extra square footage is being added?
- What are the house’s current conditions are
- What the house’s going to start square footage is.
This article will explore everything you’ll want to keep in mind as you work through the decision, including costs, plans, permits, and comparisons, ensuring that you’re equipped with the information you need to make an effective decision.
Average Home Addition Costs
The most pressing question to any home addition or extension is cost. When looking at the cost to add or extend your current space, a variety of things must be considered, including the project type and size, home location, and expectations. The table below breaks down industry rates in Toronto for many of the additions you might be considering:
| Types of Home Additions | Average Costs (Incl. Material & Labour) |
| Storey addition (unfinished) | $260 to $325/sq.ft. |
| Storey addition (turnkey) | $300 to $360/sq.ft. |
| Garage addition (unfinished) | $200 to $235/sq.ft. |
| Garage addition (turnkey) | $240 to $300/sq.ft. |
| Carport | $75 to $100 |
| Home addition on piles (unfinished) | $260 to $300/sq.ft. |
| Home addition on piles (turnkey) | $300 to $350/sq.ft. |
| Home addition on foundation/slab (unfinished) | $315 to $360/sq.ft. |
| Home addition on foundation/slab (turnkey) | $360 to $400/sq.ft. |
| 4-Season sunroom on piles (unfinished) | $300 to $350/sq.ft. |
| 4-Season sunroom on piles (turnkey) | $260 to $360/sq.ft. |
With this, you’ll be able to approximate the cost to add an addition and compare it with alternative options. Below we’ll explore a few of the most common home addition items in more detail.
Cost of Adding a Second Storey
If you’re looking to expand your living space and increase the value of your property, a second storey addition should be at the top of your to-do list. You can expect a turnkey second storey addition in Toronto to cost between $300 and $360 per square foot, accompanied by three to six months of planning and construction. With a home extension of this site, you’ll want to check the rules and regulations in your city to ensure that there aren’t any major roadblocks along the way.
Home Addition Costs: Permits and Plans
When beginning the home addition process, you’ll want to check with your city to determine what you’re allowed to do and the requirements to do them correctly. Some towns and cities will require formal plans and specialist signatures, whereas others will just want a set of specifications to be met. Regardless of the home addition or extension you have planned, you’ll be required to formalize some documentation pre-build. On average, building permits will cost $200. Plan costs are far more dependent on project complexity, and can run anywhere from $2000 to $4000+. If your project is complex enough to require an architect, you should budget 10-20% of the total project value to cover those costs as well. To find specific permit information for the City of Toronto, take a look here.
Cost of a Sunroom Addition
If you’re looking to add a sunroom addition to your home, there are a few different options available. 4-season sunrooms will require insulation, ventilation, and heat, as they are rooms like any other in the house. This type of home addition can be built on piles, keeping the cost reasonable at between $250 and $350 per square foot. There is also the option to have a 3-season sunroom, or solarium, which does not technically qualify as a home addition and therefore doesn’t require the same approach.
Cost of a Home Addition on a Concrete Slab
Home additions can be completed on both piles or concrete slabs. If you’re leaning towards the slab, expect to spend anywhere between $300 and $400 per square foot. Using concrete slabs instead of piles means that you won’t need to excavate for the addition of a new foundation or re-insulate beyond standard practice, as the slab will act as a foundation and retain heat in the colder months. Keep in mind that you’ll need to determine whether or not your property can withstand this additional structure before making your decision.
Is It Cheaper to Add on Or Build Up?
Much of the decision to add a home extension or second story addition comes down to your specific needs. Consider the type of property you currently own, the zoning and legal issues surrounding it, the house addition and extension costs, the time involved, and the prospective value increase to your property. Traditionally, it will be cheaper (and less time intensive) to build up than to add on, but only your specific circumstances will dictate which option makes the most sense.
For a detailed project outline and estimate, get in touch with our team!
