How Much Does a Game Room Cost in 2025?

Average Cost to Build a Game Room

Game Room Cost Factors

Important cost factors that influence how much you’ll ultimately pay to build your game room include the room type and any other equipment you’ll need to purchase.

Room Type

Whether you’re starting with a finished room, an unfinished basement, or plan to build a whole new addition, room type is a major element that affects cost. Costs can range anywhere from $3,000 to $34,000 or more. The size of the room also dramatically impacts your gaming room cost, as a larger space costs more to furnish and equip.

Furnishings

You’ll need to furnish your game room. This can include everything from accent furniture like chairs and tables to staples like a comfy couch or recliner. Also, consider purchasing accessories like rugs or carpets, lamps, and other lighting fixtures. Gaming room decor may include themed elements from your favorite games, neon lighting, and other items.

Equipment 

The equipment you want in your game room also affects cost. For instance, a new pool table costs around $2,000, while a new flatscreen TV could cost about $350 or more. The latest gaming consoles cost $500 or more, while full arcade games can easily exceed $1,000 each. A chess set or dart board may be considerably more affordable.

The type of equipment you want to add to your game room depends on your and your family’s preferences. You may want to invest in the cost to mount a TV so you can watch sports while playing, or install a climbing wall above a padded floor for kids to enjoy. If the room doubles as a home theater, sound system installation costs an average of $770 more. 

Labor

How much a game room costs in labor depends on exactly what you need. General contractor rates range from $50 to $150 per hour. You may pay less for a local handyperson, but it’s important to hire licensed and insured professionals for structural work. Electrician rates range from $50 to $100 per hour. Discuss your project with local home remodelers for a more accurate cost estimate. 

Room Prep and Repairs

Homeowners must also confront overlooked preliminary costs of game room preparation. Converting a finished or unfinished space into an attractive gaming room could require significant repairs or modifications. You may need to fix uneven floors, update electrical wiring, upgrade insulation, or address moisture problems.

Carefully consider what you need to do to prepare the game room. For example, you may need to reinforce floors to support heavy pool tables and arcade machines. You may also need to upgrade your electrical circuits to handle the added load of multiple gaming systems and entertainment equipment. Set aside about 20% of your total budget for this prep work. 

Game Room Cost by Type

Your game room cost depends largely on the current state of the space where you want to house your gaming room.

Finished Room

The cost to transform a finished room into a game room is about $3,000. Building a game room in a finished room that’s already a part of your house is the cheapest option.

You can turn a finished basement, guest bedroom, or secondary living area into a game room by swapping out the decor and installing whatever games and devices you like. As in any renovation, the finishes—such as decor items and games introduced into the space—and their respective price tags ultimately dictate the end cost of creating your game room.

Unfinished Basement

The cost to finish a basement could run anywhere from $3,000 to $34,000. If you plan to build a game room in an unfinished basement, you’ll first have to finish the basement to make it into a functional, livable room.

These expenses are in addition to the costs of converting a finished room into a game room, such as decor items and arcade consoles. 

Home Addition

Home additions typically cost $80 to $200 per square foot, depending on the type of addition and the labor and materials needed. Costs increase if you plan on building a small addition to your home for a game room. You need to budget for framing, walls, roofing, windows, and other expenses, like the cost of building permits.

Garage

The average cost to convert a garage into a game room is $14,000. When converting a garage, remember what elements you’ll need for your room that don’t already exist in the garage, including plumbing, electricity, heating, and internet access.

Does Building a Game Room Increase Home Value?

Investing in a game room not only provides a fun space for your family to enjoy, but it can also potentially yield a sizable return on investment on your gaming room costs. The financial impact on your home value varies considerably depending on location and market conditions. A well-designed game room could recoup up to 50% of its total cost during resale. 

High-end features like custom built-ins, professional-grade gaming equipment, and integrated home theater systems with surround sound can appeal greatly to potential buyers when you list your home for sale. A dedicated gaming room is a premium feature that could set a property apart from comparable listings, giving you a competitive edge to reduce time on the market and increase the final sale price. 

Budgeting for Building a Game Room

Creating a dream gaming room can be reasonably affordable if you plan strategically and make smart financial choices:

• Buy refurbished gaming equipment: Certified refurbished video game consoles, computers, and peripherals can be considerably cheaper than brand-new models.

• Search for used game tables: Check local auctions and online marketplaces for gently used pool tables, foosball tables, and pinball machines at significant discounts.

• Invest in modular furniture: Choose tables and chairs that can be reconfigured in the room for different purposes, like watching movies with the family.

• Request multiple quotes: Consult several contractors for detailed estimates on converting your space into a functional gaming room.

• Prioritize the essentials: Start with core gaming elements, adding to and upgrading the room over time with new games and equipment.

• Consider emulators: Multi-game machines can sometimes emulate classic consoles and nostalgic favorites, adding free-to-play games from the open-source community.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.