The landscape of office work has changed immensely over the past few years: Whether you’ve switched to working from home, moved to a hybrid setup, or just find work following you home more than you’d expect, having a convenient home office to work out of is one of our top wish-list items in remodels. Sadly, one of the most common regrets we hear with home office remodels is wishing that they had gone bigger: Oftentimes an office built out of convenience to the builder or homeowner will sidestep the privacy, seclusion, and functional-focus that the space needs to benefit your work. That’s why we always recommend considering an addition for homeowners looking at a large home office renovation.
With remote and hybrid work becoming more prevalent, adding dedicated office space at home through an addition can provide convenience and productivity. But in expensive housing markets like Connecticut, is adding a home office addition worth the investment?
This article breaks down average costs for home office additions in Connecticut along with tips to maximize return on investment. Discover if building out your workspace is the right choice to meet both your needs and your budget.
Average Costs for Home Office Additions
Home office addition costs in Connecticut largely depend on size:
Small Home Office Addition
- 80-150 square feet
- $35,000-$75,000
- Adding a one room office space by bumping out a wall.
Medium Home Office Addition
- 150-300 square feet
- $60,000-$125,000
- A multi-room office suite addition, like a main room plus private bathroom.
Large Dedicated Home Office Suite
- 300-500 square feet
- $100,000-$250,000
- An extensive private office wing addition, including multiple offices, full bathroom, storage, etc.
Factors Impacting Total Costs
Several key factors influence the costs of home office additions:
- Location and Labor Rates – Construction costs are higher in some Connecticut areas like Fairfield County. Local labor rates add significant costs.
- Type of Addition – Simple bump-out additions are most affordable. Second story and conversions of existing spaces can minimize costs vs. standalone additions.
- Size of Addition – The bigger the footprint, the more it will cost for materials, labor, permits, etc. Carefully consider how much space you truly need.
- Finishes and Features – Higher end finishes, custom built-ins, electrical, plumbing, and AV systems can add major costs to create a luxury workspace.
Maximizing Return on Investment
To help your home office addition pay off in added home value, consider:
- Careful Budgeting and Planning – Keep project scope and budgets reasonable instead of overbuilding based on wishlists.
- Time the Project Strategically – Adding space to meet current needs, not hoped-for future needs, provides the best ROI.
- Add Universal Appeal – Choose finishes and layouts any buyer would appreciate, not just custom details you personally want. Aim for flexible multi-use space.
- Focus on Curb Appeal – Exterior additions visible from the street tend to boost value more than unfinished basement spaces, for example.
Estimating Resale Value Gain
Based on your investment, home office additions in Connecticut can increase value by:
Small Additions: 50-85% ROI
Adding a small 80-150 square foot office likely returns 50-85% of your project costs if priced right.
Medium Additions: 60-90% ROI
You may recoup 60-90% of the cost of a 200-300 square foot multi-room office addition upon selling.
Large Additions: 70-95% ROI
Even more extensive additions in the 300-500 square foot range could boost value by 70-95% if there is demand. But very large, lavish offices may provide diminishing returns.
Alternatives to Additions
Other options beyond additions include:
Convert an Existing Space – Converting a bedroom, garage, attic, or basement is typically much cheaper than adding new square footage.
Use Modular Furniture – Murphy beds, fold-down desks, and modular walls provide flexible office space for less.
Compromise on Features – Skip costly extensions like adding bathrooms to reduce the scope and costs.
Adding dedicated office space at home is a major investment, but it allows remote workers to be significantly more focused and productive daily. Completing a strategically designed, reasonably sized office addition and timing the project smartly can help maximize your return and value added when selling your Connecticut home.
