Home addition cost in Denver, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $39,500 – $80,100
- Per sq ft
- $130 – $260
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #77
- 1 = most expensive
Denver homeowners pay roughly $39,500 to $80,100 to build a home addition at 300 sq ft, or $130 to $260 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Denver is 4% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, 7% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Denver, CO, standard level
$51,700 to $68,000
About $169 to $221 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 67% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,700 | $20,600 |
| Labor | $35,000 | $45,700 |
| Permits and fees | $1,000 | $1,650 |
| Total | $51,700 | $68,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Denver, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $12,100 | $18,200 | $24,200 | 30% |
| Labor | $26,900 | $40,300 | $53,800 | 67% |
| Permits and fees | $530 | $1,300 | $2,100 | 2% |
| Total | $39,500 | $59,800 | $80,100 | 100% |
Why Denver 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, Denver wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 67% of the midpoint estimate (67% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Denver metro is 101.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $18,200, compared with $18,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.8) and land at $530 to $2,100.
What nearby projects cost in Denver
Because every project leans on different trades, Denver's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, bathroom remodel runs +3% and roof replacement +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,900 – $32,100 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +3% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,900 – $59,900 | +3% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,150 – $12,700 | +1% |
Cost by quality level and size in Denver
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Denver wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$39,500 to $55,800
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$51,700 to $68,000
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$63,900 to $80,100
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $13,500 – $19,400 | $17,900 – $23,700 | $22,300 – $28,100 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $52,500 – $74,000 | $68,600 – $90,100 | $84,700 – $106,000 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $78,500 – $110,500 | $102,500 – $134,500 | $126,500 – $158,000 |
Denver against nearby metros and the rest of Colorado
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Denver. Pueblo is the lowest at about $54,600 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, COthis page | $39,500 – $80,100 | $59,800 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO45 miles | $36,400 – $73,700 | $55,100 | −8% |
| Boulder, CO55 miles | $37,800 – $76,600 | $57,200 | −4% |
| Greeley, CO80 miles | $36,700 – $74,300 | $55,500 | −7% |
| Fort Collins, CO90 miles | $36,700 – $74,500 | $55,600 | −7% |
| Pueblo, CO90 miles | $36,100 – $73,200 | $54,600 | −9% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $38,400 – $77,800 | $58,100 | −3% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Denver comes in at #77 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $79,600; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $44,300 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Denver is 3% above the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $36,400 – $73,700 | $55,100 | −8% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $37,800 – $76,600 | $57,200 | −4% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $36,700 – $74,500 | $55,600 | −7% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $36,700 – $74,300 | $55,500 | −7% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $36,500 – $74,000 | $55,300 | −8% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $36,100 – $73,200 | $54,600 | −9% |
Cities with a workforce like Denver's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Denver against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $41,300 – $83,700 | $62,500 | +4% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $44,000 – $89,200 | $66,600 | +11% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $41,300 – $83,600 | $62,400 | +4% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $33,900 – $68,700 | $51,300 | −14% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Denver is 1.05 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $31.21 an hour, which is 7% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $36.14 an hour. BLS counts 7,250 of them working in the area, 45.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.87 an hour, which is 9% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.35 and $33.74 an hour. BLS counts 2,590 of them working in the area, 16.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.36 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $38.28 an hour. About 10,450 work in the metro. That is 64.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.72 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.81 and $39.11 an hour. BLS counts 5,750 of them working in the area, 35.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.89 an hour, 9% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $24.44 and $33.81 an hour. About 1,110 work in the metro. That is 6.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $26.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $29.79 an hour. BLS counts 1,900 of them working in the area, 11.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.14 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,250. At the 25th percentile ($27.70) it shrinks by about $2,300. The total moves by 5.4% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,609,350 jobs in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial area. That makes it the 17th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.03% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $27.70 | $31.21 | $36.14 | $29.12 | 1.07 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $24.35 | $29.87 | $33.74 | $27.41 | 1.09 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.52 | $30.36 | $38.28 | $30.38 | 1.00 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.81 | $30.72 | $39.11 | $30.67 | 1.00 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.44 | $30.89 | $33.81 | $28.33 | 1.09 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.52 | $26.84 | $29.79 | $26.65 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
When to schedule home addition in Denver
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Denver-Stapleton (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through October are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Denver (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February, March, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 156 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Denver gets about 15 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, July and August (2.3 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.5 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 42 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 19 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 27 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 34 | 1.7 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 59 | 2.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 57 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 48 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 36 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 46 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
Home addition: what moves the price in Denver
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).
Plumbing and fixtures
Adding a bathroom or kitchen drives the price up the most.
Permits
Construction permits run $500-$2,000, or $5-$21 per $1,000 of project cost (HomeGuide).
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Home addition in Denver: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Denver?
For 300 sq ft, expect $39,500 to $80,100 in the Denver area. A standard-spec job lands at $51,700 to $68,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Denver?
About $130 to $260 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $530 to $2,100 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Denver or Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $55,100, which is 8% less than Denver ($59,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Denver?
About 67% at the midpoint, or $40,300 out of $59,800. Materials are 30% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Denver?
$52,500 to $106,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Denver?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $530 to $2,100 for fees in the Denver area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Denver expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Colorado?
Denver is 3% above the Colorado statewide estimate ($58,100 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Denver?
The BLS median is $31.21 an hour in the Denver area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.70 to $36.14.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Denver?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $39,500 to $55,800 and premium work $63,900 to $80,100. 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 Denver?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through October. September and October 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 Denver
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.