A laundry room is more than just a place to put your washer and dryer. A well-designed laundry room with ample accessories and a layout that fits your home makes washing clothes an easier, more efficient process. Estimating the cost of adding a laundry room is aided by thinking about it in terms of three cost tiers: low, medium, and high.
Cost projections vary by room size, cabinets, flooring, countertop and counter, and any extras. Estimates assume that you already own the washer and dryer; that connections are already in the laundry area; and that walls will be painted.
Low Cost (Up to $1,000)
For a lower cost laundry room addition, work in this small space is largely centered around adding basic storage and maybe even a short span of countertop. Flooring will either remain in place or will be replaced by simple but functional flooring.
Layout
Either you already have a dedicated laundry room or a small side room such as an enclosed porch. Usually, this means that the layout is straight and corridor style or perhaps L-shaped.
Flooring
For a budget laundry room addition, you can purchase durable, functional flooring such as economy-grade luxury vinyl tiles or planks or sheet vinyl flooring.
Cabinets
Unless you are careful, laundry room cabinets’ costs can push your budget out of the low-cost zone. Consider buying mobile storage cabinets. If you want permanent cabinets, choose a basic base cabinet and matching wall cabinet, each in a lower cost finish such as thermoplastic or melamine.
Countertop
Laminate countertops will give you the work room you need while staying well within budget.
Extras
Low-cost laundry room additions usually rule out professionally installed floor drains or utility sinks. If connections are already available for the utility sink, you can install it by yourself relatively easily.
Value
A low-cost laundry room addition rarely adds much overall, lasting value to your home. Most of the value translates to satisfying your immediate needs.
Medium Cost ($1,000 to $5,000)
Most homeowners who are serious about adding a laundry room will remain within a medium-level budget: high enough to properly outfit the room with ample storage and features, low enough to keep construction costs within reason.
Layout
Your laundry room addition will be able to accommodate an L-shaped or U-shaped layout.
Flooring
Both luxury vinyl flooring or ceramic tile fit well within a mid-range laundry addition budget. Installing the luxury vinyl flooring by yourself means more money available for cabinets and countertops.
Cabinets
Permanent cabinets are necessary for any mid-range laundry room, in the form of base cabinets, wall cabinets, and even a mobile unit or two. Cabinet boxes may be faced with hardwood veneers such as maple or oak, with matching solid-wood doors.
Countertop
Any medium-cost laundry room addition will have one or two countertops installed on top of the base cabinets. Solid surface—or at least good quality laminate—is the favored countertop material for a mid-cost laundry room.
Extras
You should have enough money in a mid-level laundry room budget to add a utility sink or a floor drain. If you wish, you can install a fold-down ironing board or clothes racks by yourself.
Value
A medium-cost laundry room addition should bring the room in line with the quality of the rest of the house.
High Cost ($5,000 and More)
If you have a higher-end home, you might want to push your budget over $5,000 or more—usually more. No expense is spared to make sure that your laundry room is outfitted with everything you need, and that most materials used are of the highest quality.
Layout
Whether an open plan, L-shaped, or U-shaped layout, a laundry room addition in this range can accommodate any arrangement you wish. You may even have room in the middle for an extra table for folding clothing.
Flooring
You may wish to use ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, or premium rigid-core luxury vinyl plank flooring for a laundry room in this cost range.
Cabinets
With any high-cost laundry room addition, cabinets are equally high-grade. All finishes are hardwood, and cabinets are often frameless to maximize interior space.
Countertop
For a premium-grade laundry room addition, countertops will nearly always be quartz (engineered stone), natural stone, or solid surface.
Extras
Extras practically define the high-cost laundry room; no extras are left out. The room has a floor drain, utility sink, ironing board, dedicated folding area, and more.
Value
High-cost laundry room additions not only satisfy the homeowner’s current needs but their long-term needs when it comes time to sell the home.
Source: The Spruce
