How much would it cost me to convert my back patio into a room addition if I do it myself?
Answers:
As a contractor I get this thrown at me often (it's raining here today. that's why I have time to answer). Sure, the concrete is there but I'd venture that there is no perimeter foundation, termite treatment, vapor barrier under the slab; the floor height doesn't match that of the house. To me, an addition should be like a good haircut; you don't want it to look like you just got one, and an addition shouldn't look like one. Is the roof over the patio built like the rest of the roof? The undertaking is not inexpensive and it's foolish to half-a.s the job and not enjoy the increased value you should get from adding heated square footage to your home. Having said all of that, a similarly described job in GA would run around 12 to 15K if I did it (if the roof matched, minimal electrical, the HVAC can handle the extra load, a couple of windows, siding on the exterior). You should be able to save from 2 to 4K if you do it yourself and have a few skills and good contacts for subcontractors.
Other answers:
the double of paying a professional to do!
one thing i learned in this life is :
its better to pay 5 thousand to a professional and get a well done job, then you spending 2thousand try to build yourself and it will take years and it will have all sorts of problems.
the thing is EVERYONE has his/hers area of expertise you should stick with that!
but we men's like to get dirty some times! fixing or building something, but something of that magnitude call a pro 1800 yellow book lol...
cya
the double of paying a professional to do!
one thing i learned in this life is :
its better to pay 5 thousand to a professional and get a well done job, then you spending 2thousand try to build yourself and it will take years and it will have all sorts of problems.
the thing is EVERYONE has his/hers area of expertise you should stick with that!
but we men's like to get dirty some times! fixing or building something, but something of that magnitude call a pro 1800 yellow book lol...
cya
The best way to find out is to price the materials at Home Depot, Lowes or wherever you plan to buy the supplies. Then calculate the time it will take you to do the job. Add in the time your family or other helpers contribute - figure at least a pizza and beer for their efforts.
Now, call a few contractors and find out how much they would charge for the entire job - most will provide a free estimate.
I did this when trying to decide if it was worth it to fence the pasture myself.
What I learned is that contractors can get materials and supplies much cheaper than I could retail and that they could get the job done much faster - and it looked nicer than I could have achieved with DIY.
The most important consideration is your own sense of aesthetics and your own budget. I've participated in enough DIY to know that sometimes it's cheaper in the long run to let the pros do the job - other times DIY is just fine.
To much, get a professional out for an estimate, it's free here in Calif., and see whats needed. They'd know about codes and permits needed and thing like that. Good Luck !!~:)
I would guess 6 to 8 thousand dollars to do it properly with insulation, drywall, lumber, carpet, windows, brick or siding, electrical outlets, etc.
Unless you really are a "jack of all trades", I would think hiring it done would be quicker and easier, but of course more expensive too. At least you would know for a fact it was done correctly the first time. (I think that is worth something.)