Home addition cost in Little Rock, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $31,900 – $64,600
- Per sq ft
- $105 – $210
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #282
- 1 = most expensive
A home addition in Little Rock, AR usually costs $31,900 to $64,600 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $105 to $210 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $9,250 less. Carpenters earn a median of $23.10 an hour in the Little Rock area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Little Rock, AR, standard level
$41,700 to $54,800
About $136 to $178 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,600 | $19,100 |
| Labor | $26,300 | $34,300 |
| Permits and fees | $850 | $1,400 |
| Total | $41,700 | $54,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Little Rock, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,200 | $16,800 | $22,500 | 35% |
| Labor | $20,200 | $30,300 | $40,400 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $1,100 | $1,800 | 2% |
| Total | $31,900 | $48,300 | $64,600 | 100% |
Why Little Rock prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 50%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 10%, electricians at 10%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, Little Rock wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 63% of the midpoint estimate (67% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Little Rock is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $18,000 nationally becomes $16,800 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.4: $450 to $1,800.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Little Rock. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Little Rock quotes can differ
Permits
Construction permits run $500-$2,000, or $5-$21 per $1,000 of project cost (HomeGuide).
Foundation
A foundation, framing, roofing and matching exterior finishes all have to be built before the interior work starts.
Type of addition
A new room is $125-$250 per sq ft; a bump-out $85-$200; an attic conversion $50-$150; a garage conversion $50-$200 (HomeGuide).
Is Little Rock cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $45,900 to $49,500 across Little Rock and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, ARthis page | $31,900 – $64,600 | $48,300 | |
| Jonesboro, AR120 miles | $30,600 – $62,100 | $46,400 | −4% |
| Fort Smith, AR125 miles | $30,300 – $61,500 | $45,900 | −5% |
| Fayetteville, AR135 miles | $32,400 – $65,800 | $49,100 | +2% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $30,900 – $62,700 | $46,800 | −3% |
| Monroe, LA145 miles | $32,700 – $66,300 | $49,500 | +3% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $31,800 – $64,500 | $48,200 | level |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | +19% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Little Rock ranks #282 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Little Rock is 0% above the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $32,400 – $65,800 | $49,100 | +2% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $30,300 – $61,500 | $45,900 | −5% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $30,600 – $62,100 | $46,400 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Little Rock against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $33,700 – $68,400 | $51,100 | +6% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $45,000 – $91,100 | $68,100 | +41% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $36,800 – $74,600 | $55,700 | +15% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $33,900 – $68,800 | $51,400 | +6% |
Little Rock weather and the home addition calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Little Rock Ap Adams Fld (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Little Rock are February through June and September through December: 9 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 50 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Little Rock gets about 50 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and December (5.6 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 76 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 55 | 34 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 5.6 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 3.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 70 | 3.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 33 | 5.1 | Workable |
What local crews earn in Little Rock
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Little Rock the blend is 0.79.
Carpenters (47-2031), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.10 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.08 and $27.36 an hour. About 1,080 work in the metro. That is 30.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.13 an hour, 19% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.19 and $23.85 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 11.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.17 an hour, which is 24% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $18.07 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 1,870 of them working in the area, 52.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.65 an hour, 23% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $18.26 and $29.55 an hour. About 890 work in the metro. That is 24.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.43 an hour, which is 24% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.55 and $22.60 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 1.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Little Rock metro, so we used the Arkansas statewide median: $22.82 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.87 and $24.62 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,000. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 5.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway has 358,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 72nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $20.08 | $23.10 | $27.36 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $18.19 | $22.13 | $23.85 | $27.41 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $18.07 | $23.17 | $29.41 | $30.38 | 0.76 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $18.26 | $23.65 | $29.55 | $30.67 | 0.77 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.55 | $21.43 | $22.60 | $28.33 | 0.76 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $17.87 | $22.82 | $24.62 | $26.65 | 0.86 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Little Rock
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Little Rock. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from bump-out (100 sq ft) to large suite (600 sq ft).
Basic
$31,900 to $45,000
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$41,700 to $54,800
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$51,500 to $64,600
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $10,900 – $15,600 | $14,500 – $19,200 | $18,000 – $22,700 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $42,300 – $59,600 | $55,300 – $72,600 | $68,300 – $85,600 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $63,300 – $89,000 | $82,600 – $108,000 | $102,000 – $127,500 |
Related projects, priced for Little Rock
Jobs that often go together with home addition are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Little Rock wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−10%) and bathroom remodel lowest (−16%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $16,700 – $28,400 | −10% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $3,950 – $19,600 | −16% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,100 – $50,400 | −13% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,000 | −12% |
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Home addition in Little Rock: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Little Rock?
For 300 sq ft, expect $31,900 to $64,600 in the Little Rock area. A standard-spec job lands at $41,700 to $54,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Little Rock?
About $105 to $210 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $450 to $1,800 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Little Rock or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $46,400, which is 4% less than Little Rock ($48,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Little Rock?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $30,300 out of $48,300. Materials are 35% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Little Rock?
$42,300 to $85,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Little Rock?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $450 to $1,800 for fees in the Little Rock area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Little Rock expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Little Rock is 0% above the Arkansas statewide estimate ($48,200 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Little Rock?
The BLS median is $23.10 an hour in the Little Rock area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.08 to $27.36.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Little Rock?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $31,900 to $45,000 and premium work $51,500 to $64,600. Basic means: bump-out or simple room without plumbing. Premium means: large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation.
+When is the best time to build a home addition in Little Rock?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through December. June and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Home addition near Little Rock
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Home Addition Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 32% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Structural' category split (56% labor, 32% materials, 11% permits and design). It is a category average rather than an addition-specific figure.