Home addition cost in Amherst, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $41,700 – $84,300
- Per sq ft
- $137 – $274
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #45
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a home addition in Amherst, plan on $41,700 to $84,300 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $137 to $274 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, 10% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Amherst, MA, standard level
$54,500 to $71,500
About $178 to $233 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 70% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $19,800 |
| Labor | $38,400 | $50,200 |
| Permits and fees | $950 | $1,550 |
| Total | $54,500 | $71,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Amherst, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,600 | $17,500 | $23,300 | 28% |
| Labor | $29,500 | $44,300 | $59,100 | 70% |
| Permits and fees | $500 | $1,250 | $2,000 | 2% |
| Total | $41,700 | $63,000 | $84,300 | 100% |
Why Amherst 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 $32.13 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Amherst is 1.16 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 70% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Amherst metro is 97.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $17,500, compared with $18,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.2) and land at $500 to $2,000.
Data note: 30% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Amherst. The wage table below marks each row.
Amherst against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Worcester is the priciest of the group at $68,100. Waterbury is the cheapest at $59,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MAthis page | $41,700 – $84,300 | $63,000 | |
| Springfield, MA15 miles | $44,200 – $89,300 | $66,800 | +6% |
| Pittsfield, MA30 miles | $40,100 – $81,200 | $60,700 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA35 miles | $45,000 – $91,100 | $68,100 | +8% |
| Hartford, CT45 miles | $40,200 – $81,500 | $60,900 | −3% |
| Waterbury, CT60 miles | $39,600 – $80,100 | $59,800 | −5% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $44,400 – $89,800 | $67,100 | +7% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Amherst comes in at #45 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $79,600; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $44,300 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $44,300 – $89,700 | $67,000 | +6% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $45,000 – $91,100 | $68,100 | +8% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $44,200 – $89,300 | $66,800 | +6% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $42,400 – $85,800 | $64,100 | +2% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $40,100 – $81,200 | $60,700 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Amherst's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Amherst against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $35,600 – $72,200 | $53,900 | −14% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $33,400 – $67,800 | $50,600 | −20% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $33,700 – $68,400 | $51,100 | −19% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $42,900 – $86,800 | $64,800 | +3% |
Amherst: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Amherst 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
$41,700 to $58,700
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$54,500 to $71,500
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$67,300 to $84,300
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $14,200 – $20,300 | $18,800 – $24,900 | $23,400 – $29,400 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $55,400 – $77,900 | $72,300 – $94,900 | $89,200 – $112,000 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $82,800 – $116,500 | $108,000 – $141,500 | $133,000 – $166,500 |
Climate in Amherst: timing your home addition job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (15 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Amherst (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Amherst gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Why two Amherst 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).
Amherst labor market for home addition
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 Amherst is 1.16 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $32.13 an hour, which is 10% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.62 and $41.93 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 53.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Amherst metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median: $30.69 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $26.87 and $37.60 an hour.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.01 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.16 and $40.75 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 36.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $37.77 an hour, which is 23% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $45.15 an hour. BLS counts 190 of them working in the area, 28.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Amherst metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median: $33.42 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.51 and $38.60 an hour.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Amherst metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median: $34.98 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.78 and $39.95 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($41.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $6,450. At the 25th percentile ($28.62) it shrinks by about $2,300. The total moves by 10.2% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 65,670 jobs in the Amherst Town-Northampton area. That makes it the 273rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $28.62 | $32.13 | $41.93 | $29.12 | 1.10 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $26.87 | $30.69 | $37.60 | $27.41 | 1.12 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.16 | $37.01 | $40.75 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $27.70 | $37.77 | $45.15 | $30.67 | 1.23 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $29.51 | $33.42 | $38.60 | $28.33 | 1.18 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $28.78 | $34.98 | $39.95 | $26.65 | 1.31 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Amherst
Because every project leans on different trades, Amherst's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +17% and kitchen remodel +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,800 – $31,900 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,250 – $26,000 | +12% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $30,900 – $62,000 | +7% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $7,400 – $14,500 | +17% |
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Home addition in Amherst: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Amherst?
For 300 sq ft, expect $41,700 to $84,300 in the Amherst area. A standard-spec job lands at $54,500 to $71,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Amherst?
About $137 to $274 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $500 to $2,000 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Amherst or Springfield?
Springfield is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $66,800, which is 6% more than Amherst ($63,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Amherst?
About 70% at the midpoint, or $44,300 out of $63,000. Materials are 28% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Amherst?
$55,400 to $112,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Amherst?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $500 to $2,000 for fees in the Amherst area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Amherst expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($67,100 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Amherst?
The BLS median is $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.62 to $41.93.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Amherst?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $41,700 to $58,700 and premium work $67,300 to $84,300. 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 Amherst?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. May and August 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 Amherst
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.