Home addition cost in Monroe, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $32,700 – $66,300
- Per sq ft
- $108 – $215
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #258
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a home addition in the Monroe area: $32,700 to $66,300 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 14% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $23.27 an hour in the Monroe area, 20% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Monroe, LA, standard level
$42,800 to $56,200
About $140 to $183 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,600 | $19,100 |
| Labor | $27,400 | $35,800 |
| Permits and fees | $790 | $1,300 |
| Total | $42,800 | $56,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Monroe, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,200 | $16,900 | $22,500 | 34% |
| Labor | $21,100 | $31,600 | $42,200 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $420 | $1,050 | $1,650 | 2% |
| Total | $32,700 | $49,500 | $66,300 | 100% |
Why Monroe prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.27 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Monroe is 0.83 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 64% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Monroe is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $18,000 nationally becomes $16,900 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 83.6: $420 to $1,650.
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 Monroe. The wage table below marks each row.
The best months for home addition in Monroe
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Monroe Rgnl Ap (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 Monroe are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Monroe gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, April and December (5.8 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 97 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 | 57 | 37 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 40 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 47 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 54 | 5.8 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 70 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 54 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 44 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 39 | 5.2 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Monroe
Jobs that often go together with home addition are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Monroe wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−9%) and detached garage lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $16,900 – $28,700 | −9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,150 – $20,500 | −12% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,300 – $50,700 | −13% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,350 – $11,100 | −12% |
Is Monroe 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 $46,800 to $49,600 across Monroe and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, LAthis page | $32,700 – $66,300 | $49,500 | |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $32,300 – $65,500 | $48,900 | −1% |
| Shreveport, LA100 miles | $32,800 – $66,500 | $49,600 | level |
| Jackson, MS115 miles | $32,500 – $65,800 | $49,200 | −1% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $30,900 – $62,700 | $46,800 | −5% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $31,900 – $64,600 | $48,300 | −3% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $33,700 – $68,300 | $51,000 | +3% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | +16% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Monroe ranks #258 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Monroe is 3% below the Louisiana figure.
Elsewhere in Louisiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $33,800 – $68,500 | $51,100 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $36,100 – $73,100 | $54,600 | +10% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $33,100 – $67,000 | $50,000 | +1% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $32,800 – $66,500 | $49,600 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $33,100 – $67,100 | $50,100 | +1% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $33,000 – $66,900 | $50,000 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Monroe against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $43,000 – $86,900 | $64,900 | +31% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $34,300 – $69,400 | $51,900 | +5% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $33,100 – $67,000 | $50,100 | +1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $32,400 – $65,800 | $49,100 | −1% |
Why two Monroe quotes can differ
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).
Who does the work: Monroe trade wages
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 Monroe the blend is 0.83.
Carpenters (47-2031), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.27 an hour, 20% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.57 and $26.63 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 41.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 10% of the weighting: a median of $20.67 an hour, 25% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.05 and $26.80 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 5.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.30 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.86 and $30.52 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 44.6 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 $26.77 an hour, 13% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $21.64 and $29.81 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 27.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Monroe metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $22.80 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $16.01 and $29.20 an hour.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.30 an hour, 13% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $17.92 and $28.90 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 8.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,100. That is a swing of roughly 6.2% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Monroe has 87,500 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 223rd 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% | $18.57 | $23.27 | $26.63 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $18.05 | $20.67 | $26.80 | $27.41 | 0.75 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.86 | $29.30 | $30.52 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $21.64 | $26.77 | $29.81 | $30.67 | 0.87 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $16.01 | $22.80 | $29.20 | $28.33 | 0.80 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $17.92 | $23.30 | $28.90 | $26.65 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Monroe
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Monroe. 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
$32,700 to $46,200
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$42,800 to $56,200
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$52,900 to $66,300
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $11,200 – $16,000 | $14,800 – $19,600 | $18,400 – $23,200 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $43,500 – $61,300 | $56,800 – $74,600 | $70,100 – $87,900 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $65,100 – $91,400 | $84,800 – $111,000 | $104,500 – $131,000 |
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Home addition in Monroe: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Monroe?
For 300 sq ft, expect $32,700 to $66,300 in the Monroe area. A standard-spec job lands at $42,800 to $56,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Monroe?
About $108 to $215 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $420 to $1,650 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Monroe or Alexandria?
Alexandria is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $48,900, which is 1% less than Monroe ($49,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Monroe?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $31,600 out of $49,500. Materials are 34% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Monroe?
$43,500 to $87,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Monroe?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $420 to $1,650 for fees in the Monroe area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Monroe expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Monroe is 3% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($51,000 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Monroe?
The BLS median is $23.27 an hour in the Monroe area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.57 to $26.63.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Monroe?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $32,700 to $46,200 and premium work $52,900 to $66,300. 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 Monroe?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and November 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 Monroe
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.