Small home addition questions

[RyFitz13]

LOML and I have talked off and on over the years about possibly adding a small addition (probably around 12x12) to our home. I'm confident I can do most of the work myself, but I've got a few questions.

First off, before really starting off on such a thing, I'd definitely consult with town hall to see what I can do myself to keep everything up to code.

Now, the addition would basically include a small, full bath (shower stall, rather than full tub), coat closet, and mudroom with laundry hookups.

Being in New England, what sort of things would I have to do to make sure my plumbing is safe from freezing in the winter? Would a crawlspace be sufficient? I assume a slab and/or piers won't cut it.

Also, does anyone know of any good tools (or even just rules of thumb) for getting a ballpark estimate on what such an addition would cost? I found one tool a few days ago that (I hope) far overestimated the cost - to the tune of $40k+...

[thestinker]

We did a large addition about 3 years ago. 950 sq feet lg bedroom, lg bath, of closet, den, extended kitchen, 9x12 covered porch reroofed everything with a class 4 roof for less than 90 k. 40 k seems a little high to me. I'm In tx so can't hop much with your code requirements.
Riley

[RAFlorida]

Ask around what the cost is

per square foot to build and that would give you a possible ballpark figure. Just for thought figure: 12 by 12 room at say 70 dollars per square would be 10,080 dollars. THAT'S ONLY FOR THOUGHT.

[pelligrini]

The plumbing is what will really drive the costs up. Basic rooms with a modest finish out is cheap footage.

40K seems pretty high.

[chopnhack]

I always think first on how the addition will tie in with the rest of the house. For instance, how the roof line will tie in can be a major expense area, i.e. - what happens when the additional square footage is to be added where two roof lines intersect?

Will I have enough pitch to tie into my existing sewer?

Will I be able to scab onto my existing electric or will I be forced to upgrade the entire electrical system?

Same with heating/cooling?

If the house is really old and this is considered a substantial upgrade will the municipality require you to bring the rest of the structure up to current cose?

This is where I like to start to get a handle on the cost and complexity of a remodel. Its the hidden stuff like this that can kill you!

[ragswl4]

$150 per sq ft build by contractor for track house is nominal cost in Riverside County in Ca. $40K seems way, way out for that square footage, especially if you do most of the work. Materials (at least here) are down in cost and your labor is free. As mentioned in another post, maintaining the roof line can be a challenge if you have to tear out part of the existing structure to accomadate the new edition. In our location an addition that large must be approved by the building department.