Home addition cost in Providence, RI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $39,300 – $79,700
- Per sq ft
- $129 – $259
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #82
- 1 = most expensive
Providence homeowners pay roughly $39,300 to $79,700 to build a home addition at 300 sq ft, or $129 to $259 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Providence is 4% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, 2% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Providence, RI, standard level
$51,400 to $67,600
About $168 to $220 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 68% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,200 | $19,800 |
| Labor | $35,300 | $46,200 |
| Permits and fees | $970 | $1,600 |
| Total | $51,400 | $67,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Providence, RI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,700 | $17,500 | $23,300 | 29% |
| Labor | $27,200 | $40,800 | $54,400 | 68% |
| Permits and fees | $510 | $1,250 | $2,050 | 2% |
| Total | $39,300 | $59,500 | $79,700 | 100% |
Where the Providence price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.76 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Providence is 1.07 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 68% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Providence metro is 97.1 (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 (101.8) and land at $510 to $2,050.
When to schedule home addition in Providence
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Providence T F Green Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Providence (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 109 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Providence gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (4.9 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 38 | 22 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 4.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 40 | 4.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 36 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 4.7 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Providence bid
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).
Plumbing and fixtures
Adding a bathroom or kitchen drives the price up the most.
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 Providence is 1.07 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.76 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.71 and $38.38 an hour. BLS counts 4,140 of them working in the area, 58.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.43 an hour, which is 11% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.68 and $37.08 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 5.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $35.57 an hour, 17% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $45.42 an hour. About 3,560 work in the metro. That is 49.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $38.37 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.76 and $51.30 an hour. BLS counts 3,000 of them working in the area, 42.0 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 $25.64 an hour, 9% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.48 and $35.13 an hour. About 520 work in the metro. That is 7.3 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 $29.60 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.77 and $36.90 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 6.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.38 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $5,650. At the 25th percentile ($26.71) it shrinks by about $2,000. The total moves by 9.5% or 3.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 714,120 jobs in the Providence-Warwick area. That makes it the 42nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.46% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $26.71 | $29.76 | $38.38 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $27.68 | $30.43 | $37.08 | $27.41 | 1.11 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.62 | $35.57 | $45.42 | $30.38 | 1.17 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $27.76 | $38.37 | $51.30 | $30.67 | 1.25 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.48 | $25.64 | $35.13 | $28.33 | 0.91 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.77 | $29.60 | $36.90 | $26.65 | 1.11 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Providence
Because every project leans on different trades, Providence's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +7% and kitchen remodel −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,300 – $31,200 | −1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,800 – $23,900 | +3% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $30,100 – $60,300 | +4% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,650 – $13,300 | +7% |
Cost by quality level and size in Providence
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Providence 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
$39,300 to $55,500
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$51,400 to $67,600
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$63,600 to $79,700
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $13,500 – $19,200 | $17,800 – $23,600 | $22,100 – $27,900 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $52,300 – $73,600 | $68,300 – $89,600 | $84,300 – $105,500 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $78,200 – $110,000 | $102,000 – $133,500 | $125,500 – $157,500 |
Providence against nearby metros and the rest of Rhode Island
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Worcester is the priciest of the group at $68,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RIthis page | $39,300 – $79,700 | $59,500 | |
| Norwich, CT45 miles | $39,800 – $80,700 | $60,300 | +1% |
| Worcester, MA55 miles | $45,000 – $91,100 | $68,100 | +14% |
| Boston, MA60 miles | $44,300 – $89,700 | $67,000 | +13% |
| Barnstable, MA60 miles | $42,400 – $85,800 | $64,100 | +8% |
| Hartford, CT65 miles | $40,200 – $81,500 | $60,900 | +2% |
| Rhode Island (statewide) | $38,700 – $78,500 | $58,600 | −2% |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Providence comes in at #82 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $79,600; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $44,300 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Providence is 2% above the Rhode Island figure.
Providence is the only Rhode Island metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Providence's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Providence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $33,900 – $68,900 | $51,400 | −14% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $36,000 – $73,000 | $54,500 | −8% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $34,400 – $69,800 | $52,100 | −12% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $32,900 – $66,800 | $49,800 | −16% |
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Detailed home addition report for Providence, RI, $9
The report lays out the home addition numbers for Providence, RI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Home addition in Providence: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Providence?
For 300 sq ft, expect $39,300 to $79,700 in the Providence area. A standard-spec job lands at $51,400 to $67,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Providence?
About $129 to $259 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $510 to $2,050 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Providence or Norwich?
Norwich is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $60,300, which is 1% more than Providence ($59,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Providence?
About 68% at the midpoint, or $40,800 out of $59,500. Materials are 29% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Providence?
$52,300 to $105,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Providence?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $510 to $2,050 for fees in the Providence area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Providence expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Rhode Island?
Providence is 2% above the Rhode Island statewide estimate ($58,600 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Providence?
The BLS median is $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.71 to $38.38.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Providence?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $39,300 to $55,500 and premium work $63,600 to $79,700. 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 Providence?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 Providence
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.