This can include a room addition or a "stand alone" building like a garage or workshop. Here is something to think about if cost is a large factor.

* Eaves - I high fire areas such as Tehachapi, all eaves must have fire rated materials such as stucco or an approved concrete compostion      product.

* Placement - Type of soil and typography such as degree of hill side slope or distance from the existing house. Placing a building at the base of a hill can promote water problems with mold and in such cases water would need to be diverted thru mechanical means.  Trees and foilage will need to be removed but, is it proper to do so? You may want to think of an alternative place.

* Utilities - If you dont' have gas,  either a line or a propane tank will need to be installed but you also have to look into the future costs. Also does your existing electrical panel or water lines capable of handling the new loads?

* Roofing - The type of roofing can be a cost factor as well as the slope.

* Siding - The type of siding can make a difference of 10% of the whole project cost.

* Windows - This can vary depending upon what you want. So what's available? Vinyl is the most popular and will be the cheapest, then aluminum (some people really like this look), theres also the old stand by which is wood and it comes at a higher price tag, vinyl clad is costlier as well which is a mix of vinyl outside with the look of wood inside, then there is a new technology of a fiberglass window (the pro's are that the glass and the fiberglass frame are of similar materials so hot/cold, inside/outside temperature differences keep the air between the glass panes from condesation) but the cons are the heavy cost. I like this window myself. Last but not least is window placements. For instance, does the codes/plans allow for the needed/wanted light for the inside space. The size and type of windows. They vary quite a bit.

* Plumbing - One of the biggest cost factors is does the new construction consist of plumbing. Both waste and running water need adaquate space and time to install.

* HVAC - Even just heating can cost.

* Usage - The building department looks at "conditioned space" with more intensity then non-conditioned space. Note: As of 2011 any permit that is obtained for any project requires the homeowner to install a carbon monoxide detector for the CO or Final Inspection.

* Lighting - The type of lighting can vary greatly in prices. There are many wattages but also colors to consider. The color of the paint can also be a large factor in lighting. Darker color rooms require much more light.

* Size - This a big one. I had a customer that wanted a workshop with 2 rooms and 840 s.f. and top plate at 12' high. By reducing the size down to 600 s.f. and the top plates down to 10 high, that brought the price down from $46,000  to  $34,000,  a  $12,000 savings. It just turns out that he didn't really need all that height and space.

* Please feel free to comment for any other factors as such.  Bruce Greenberg  -  Owner Greenberg Construction