Home addition cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $39,200 – $79,300
- Per sq ft
- $129 – $258
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $57,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #89
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a home addition in Racine, plan on $39,200 to $79,300 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $129 to $258 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $29.29 an hour in the Racine area, 1% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$51,200 to $67,300
About $168 to $219 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 69% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,600 | $19,100 |
| Labor | $35,700 | $46,700 |
| Permits and fees | $910 | $1,500 |
| Total | $51,200 | $67,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $11,300 | $16,900 | $22,500 | 28% |
| Labor | $27,500 | $41,200 | $54,900 | 69% |
| Permits and fees | $480 | $1,200 | $1,900 | 2% |
| Total | $39,200 | $59,300 | $79,300 | 100% |
Where the Racine 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 $29.29 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Racine is 1.08 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 69% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Racine metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $16,900, compared with $18,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $480 to $1,900.
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 Racine. The wage table below marks each row.
Racine: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Racine 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
$39,200 to $55,300
Bump-out or simple room without plumbing
Standard
$51,200 to $67,300
Standard room addition with HVAC and electrical
Premium
$63,300 to $79,300
Large addition with bath or kitchen and a new foundation
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bump-out (100 sq ft) | $13,400 – $19,100 | $17,700 – $23,400 | $22,000 – $27,700 |
| 20x20 room (400 sq ft) | $52,100 – $73,300 | $68,000 – $89,200 | $83,900 – $105,000 |
| large suite (600 sq ft) | $77,900 – $109,500 | $101,500 – $133,000 | $125,000 – $157,000 |
How Racine compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Chicago is the priciest of the group at $74,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $39,200 – $79,300 | $59,300 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $40,500 – $81,900 | $61,200 | +3% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $40,100 – $81,100 | $60,600 | +2% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $40,100 – $81,100 | $60,600 | +2% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $43,100 – $87,100 | $65,100 | +10% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $49,000 – $99,000 | $74,000 | +25% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $39,300 – $79,500 | $59,400 | level |
| United States | $38,000 – $77,000 | $57,500 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Racine comes in at #89 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $79,600; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $44,300 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Racine is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $40,500 – $81,900 | $61,200 | +3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $40,200 – $81,300 | $60,700 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $39,400 – $79,600 | $59,500 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $39,800 – $80,400 | $60,100 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $44,700 – $90,300 | $67,500 | +14% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $38,600 – $78,000 | $58,300 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Racine's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $45,800 – $92,700 | $69,300 | +17% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $33,500 – $67,900 | $50,700 | −14% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $41,500 – $84,100 | $62,800 | +6% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $40,100 – $81,100 | $60,600 | +2% |
Racine 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 Racine is 1.08 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.29 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 42.0 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 $30.51 an hour, which is 11% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $35.79 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 17.0 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 $39.67 an hour, 31% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.36 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 45.9 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 $37.05 an hour, which is 21% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $48.94 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 31.5 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 Racine metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.83 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $33.42 an hour.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.17 an hour, which is 9% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.46 and $35.47 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 9.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $7,600. At the 25th percentile ($24.17) it shrinks by about $3,350. The total moves by 12.8% or 5.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 76,280 jobs in the Racine-Mount Pleasant area. That makes it the 243rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 10% | $23.92 | $30.51 | $35.79 | $27.41 | 1.11 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.72 | $39.67 | $46.36 | $30.38 | 1.31 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.45 | $37.05 | $48.94 | $30.67 | 1.21 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.05 | $28.83 | $33.42 | $28.33 | 1.02 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.46 | $29.17 | $35.47 | $26.65 | 1.09 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Racine
Because every project leans on different trades, Racine's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +4% and kitchen remodel −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,600 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +4% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,300 – $58,900 | +1% |
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,450 – $12,900 | +4% |
Climate in Racine: timing your home addition job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Racine Batten Ap (5 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 Racine (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 126 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Racine gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 37 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 57 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 32 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.6 | Cold |
Home addition: what moves the price in Racine
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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Detailed home addition report for Racine, WI, $9
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Home addition in Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a home addition in Racine?
For 300 sq ft, expect $39,200 to $79,300 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $51,200 to $67,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for home addition in Racine?
About $129 to $258 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $480 to $1,900 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $125 to $250.
+Is home addition cheaper in Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $61,200, which is 3% more than Racine ($59,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 69% at the midpoint, or $41,200 out of $59,300. Materials are 28% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 67%.
+What would 20x20 room (400 sq ft) cost in Racine?
$52,100 to $105,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does home addition need a permit in Racine?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $480 to $1,900 for fees in the Racine area (our national range of $500 to $2,000 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for home addition compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 0% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($59,400 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Racine?
The BLS median is $29.29 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.17 to $40.84.
+What do basic and premium home addition work cost in Racine?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $39,200 to $55,300 and premium work $63,300 to $79,300. 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 Racine?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July 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 Racine
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.