Room addition
Walls & framing

Add a room or extension

PRO JOB
Additions, bump-outs, second stories.

Why this is a pro job

New foundations, framing that ties into the house, roof, and every trade inside it. It needs drawings, a permit and inspections at each stage.
Hire this out: licensed work with a permit.

How it goes

6 stages
1
Feasibility
Zoning: setbacks, lot coverage, height. Your town’s zoning office answers this before you pay anyone to draw.
2
Design
An architect or designer draws it; a structural engineer sizes the foundation, beams and connections to the house.
3
Permits
Construction permit and plan review. Expect weeks, not days.
4
Bids
Three bids on the same drawings so you compare like with like.
5
Build
Foundation → framing → roof → windows → plumbing, electrical, HVAC rough-in → inspections → insulation → drywall.
6
Finishes
The part you can take on yourself to save money — see below.

What you can do yourself

Once the pros are done, these parts are DIY. Each has a Sheet: the materials counted, the tools and the steps.
Paint a room
Prep, primer, paint and supplies — walls, ceiling, trim and doors.
Install vinyl plank flooring
Click-together LVP: boxes, trim, transitions and the gaps that matter.
Carpet a room
Tack strip, pad, seams and stretching — the full stretch-in install.
Tile a floor
Backer, thinset, tile and grout sized to your tile — bathroom, kitchen or entry, with the toilet reset when there is one.

What to ask a contractor

•
Are you registered/licensed for home improvement work here? Can I see the certificate of insurance?
•
Who pulls the permits, and who is on site for inspections?
•
What is included — and what is an allowance I choose later?
•
Payment schedule tied to finished stages, not dates?
•
Which finishes can I do myself to lower the price?
These are the general rules. Your state, province or town may add its own: check with your local building department before you start.
Licenses and registration
An addition needs a building permit from your local building department, usually with drawings sealed by a licensed architect or engineer. Many states and some cities license or register home improvement contractors: ask for the number, check it with the licensing board, and get it on the contract. The wiring, plumbing, gas and heating inside need their own licensed trades. Rules change — your building department has the last word.

Get quotes from local pros

Quotes from local pros need the online version
StudSheet sends quote requests to verified local pros through your account, so it needs the online version at app.studsheet.com. For now, copy this page and send it to a contractor you trust.