How Much Does It Cost to Build a Dining Room?

The typical range to build a dining room in your home is $80 to $200 per square foot. That works out to be an average of $20,000 for a typical 200-square-foot dining space, with the price going up as high as $50,000. If you’re converting an existing room in your home, you could create a dining space for as little as $3,000. The costs vary considerably depending on the size of the space, materials chosen, and finish quality.

Average Cost to Build a Dining Room

Dining Room Addition Prices

For a full dining room extension, materials will be at least 50% of your overall costs. Budgeting for dining room material costs can be tricky. You may only need materials for decoration, such as paint and flooring, to finish an existing room. However, costs increase dramatically when you need to include build materials.

The various costs below can help out with your planning.

Dining Room Installation Costs

For an average dining room build, it may cost around $5,000 to hire an architect or designer for a large dining room extension. Budget as much as 25% of the total project cost on general contractor fees.

Some other installation fees may include:

• Architect cost: 5%–20% of the project cost or $125–$250 per hour

• Structural engineer cost: $100–$200 per hour

• Draftsperson cost: $50–$130 per hour

• Interior designer or decorator cost: $50–$200 per hour

If you’re only finishing an existing room, you may still have to hire a local electrician to do some rewiring, a painter, or even an interior designer. However, costs will be significantly less, as you don’t have to factor in major construction work. How much you spend on a dining room installation depends on the scale of the project and whether there are any elements you can DIY.

"When working on a more complex project like adding to your home, I recommend getting several quotes,” says Andy Kilborn, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA. “This will give you a feel for different ways to tackle the project, and make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck."

Dining Room Addition Cost Factors

Adding a dining room to your home is a big undertaking, and various factors influence the final project costs.

Build or Repurpose

It could cost as little as $3,000 if you already have a room in your house you rarely use, like a spare bedroom, that you can repurpose and redecorate to create a dining space.

On the other end, the cost to convert a garage or another larger space could be $5,000 to $10,000 because it's a bigger project.You may need to add insulation, drywall, and possibly even electricity to create a functional dining space. When adding a full dining room extension, the prices go up considerably, and you need to factor in a much wider range of materials and installation costs.

Size and Shape

An average dining room is around 14 feet by 16 feet (or 224 square feet) and will typically cost $17,920 to $44,800 to build. Smaller 120-square-foot spaces may cost $9,600 to build, whereas 300-foot grand eating spaces could cost as much as $50,000.

The size of the dining space you opt for depends on how big your family is, how often you entertain guests, and the type of furniture you want to include. Complex room shapes also increase installation costs.

Finish Quality

Custom cabinet costs range from $500 to $1,200 per linear foot, whereas prefabricated versions are typically $60 to $100 per linear foot. Opting for high-end finishes for your new dining room increases the project costs.

For example, the cost to install hardwood flooring averages around $6 to $22 per square foot, compared to $3 to $10 per square foot for laminate.

By shopping around, you can save costs even if you want more expensive features, like hardwood flooring or wallpaper.

Location

The fees for hiring contractors, architects, or other professionals to work on your project are typically higher in big-city locations. You often pay less in rural areas, although there will be fewer pros to hire.

Furnishings

Purchasing furnishings could range from $1,000 for basic flat-pack options to $16,000 or more for luxury products. You'll also need to consider things like window treatments, lighting, sideboards, art, and other styling accessories, as well as investing in a table and chairs for your new dining room.

Costs to Add a Dining Room Yourself

DIY-ing this could shave at least $1,000 or more off your total costs. Labor costs can be as much as 25% of your total budget for a new dining room. Although you should leave major construction projects like this to the pros, you may be able to do some of the finishing work yourself, such as painting or laying floors.

DIY vs. Hiring a Building Contractor

Opting to DIY the project isn’t a bad idea if you’re simply converting an existing room in your home.

However, leave any construction projects to the pros. Hiring a local general contractor makes sense, as they can subcontract specialists such as electricians or drywall installers. This can save money, streamline the process, and keep the project safe, legal, and on track.

Attempting to DIY structural work without the proper experience is dangerous, and you could end up with a structurally unsound home. If it doesn't meet local building standards, your home could be challenging to insure or sell, and it may not even be safe to live in.

FAQs

What can I do to reduce the costs when adding a dining room to my home?

Proper planning, hiring the right people, and making compromises all help to keep costs down. Look carefully at the types of materials and the finish quality, and don't opt for a massive 300-square feet room addition if you're a family of four who rarely dine together. Consider tackling some of the more straightforward finishing work yourself, and you could even go thrifting for furnishings.

Do I need a permit to build a dining room?

The cost for a building permit is typically $400 to $2,000 but varies depending on where you live. You likely won’t need a permit if you’re remodeling an existing space, providing you don’t need to make structural changes or add things like new wiring. Building a new room or converting a garage invariably requires you to apply for a permit from your local authority.

How do I select the right contractors for the project?

It’s worth getting multiple quotes when hiring a local general contractor. Hiring the wrong people can result in overspends, lengthy delays, poor construction work, and problems with permits.

Check contractor references, work portfolios, licensing, insurance, and qualifications. Never begin work without a written contract that sets out timescales, work details, a breakdown of costs, and payment schedules. Most contractors also support you throughout the permit application process.