Room Additions - Construction Task Timing

By Tim Carter
©1993-2010 Tim Carter

Summary: The construction of room additions is a complex undertaking. Any number of tasks and situations and room addition plans affect the time of completion and room addition cost. This chart of estimated task times will give insight into the extent of work involved for a room addition.

Room Additions - Estimated Time To Complete Specific Tasks

The following is a listing of many planning and construction aspects that are involved in the construction of a typical room addition. If you plan to tackle a room addition project you will be involved in virtually all of the following tasks in one way or another. I have taken the liberty to group some tasks together and others are broken down into sub groups. There are actually hundreds of individual "things" that have to be done.

I researched my past records and averaged the times. Not all room additions are alike. The times shown below are for a 400 square foot single story addition with moderate access. This means materials have to be hand carried from the front of the house to the rear. The below estimations also include a close approximation of the man/woman hours it may take to complete the listed task. If you plan to do things for the first time, be sure to add additional time. Your room addition project may not include some of the listed tasks. If it doesn't, be sure to substitute things that may take the place of a listed task. You will be surprised how time seems to disappear each day.

The numbers also include the amount of time it takes to estimate, order, pickup, transport, and unload the necessary materials. This running time can be enormous.

Estimated Time To Complete Specific Tasks

Planning - All Aspects	80 Hours
Building Permit	6 Hours
Survey/Stakeout	8 Hours
Site Clearing	12 Hours
Excavation	24 Hours
Footings/Foundations	40 Hours
Footing Drain Tile & 1" Gravel Cover	8 Hours
Downspout Drainage System	12 Hours
Termite Control	4 Hours
Structural Steel	6 Hours
Rough Grading	14 Hours
Excess Dirt Off-site Removal	12 Hours
Gravel	12 Hours
Interior Concrete Slabs	16 Hours
Demolition	40 Hours
Asbestos Removal	12 Hours
Lead Abatement	12 Hours
Rough Carpentry	80 Hours
Backhoe Work	12 Hours
Roofing	20 Hours
Heating/Ventilating/Air Conditioning	40 Hours
Plumbing	40 Hours
Electric	36 Hours
Phone/Computer/Cable TV Wiring	12 Hours
Security/Fire Alarm Wiring	8 Hours
Insulation	12 Hours
Drywall/Plastering	40 Hours
Windows	16 Hours
Exterior Doors	8 Hours
Exterior Carpentry	24 Hours
Masonry (Brickwork, Stonework, etc.)	36 Hours
Stucco	40 Hours
Vinyl Siding/Trim	24 Hours
Gutters/Downspouts	12 Hours
Exterior Painting/Staining	24 Hours
Exterior Sidewalks/Patios	24 Hours
Interior Trim	24 Hours
Interior Doors	12 Hours
Built-in Cabinetry	16 Hours
Interior Painting	50 Hours
Wall Coverings	16 Hours
Hardwood Flooring	32 Hours
Carpeting	16 Hours
Linoleum/Vinyl Tile	10 Hours
Ceramic Tile	24 Hours
Kitchen Cabinets	24 Hours
Bath Cabinets	4 Hours
Kitchen Counter Tops	4 Hours
Bath Counter Tops	2 Hours
Laundry Room Cabinets & Tops	6 Hours
Appliances	8 Hours
Plumbing Fixtures/Fans	12 Hours
Lighting Fixtures/Fans	12 Hours
Mirrors	6 Hours
Hardware	10 Hours
Miscellaneous Fixtures	8 Hours
Specialty Shelving	6 Hours
Miscellaneous Allowance Items	12 Hours
Garage Doors & Openers	12 Hours
Driveway Apron (cleaning)	8 Hours
Driveway (restoration from trucks)	16 Hours
Final Grading	8 Hours
Landscaping	12 Hours
Debris Removal/Dumpster Fees	30 Hours
Construction Utilities	8 Hours
Final Cleaning	12 Hours
Weather Delays	24 Hours
Mistakes/Problems	32 Hours
Mistakes/Problems	32 Hours
Tool Rental	12 Hours
Phone Ordering	16 Hours

Missing Time

Don't forget to include "thinking" time. What is this? This is when you will stop all work and scratch your head wondering if you are doing something right. It happens on all jobs. Sometimes it may take an hour or two to determine the best way to solve a problem. This isn't wasted time, just "thought" time!