Short Answer
Expect $250 to $500+ per square foot depending on whether you're building out or up, the finishes, and what structural reinforcement the existing house needs.
- Typical cost
- $250 – $500+ per square foot depending on type and complexity
- Typical timeline
- 6–12 months including design and permitting
- Permits
- Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
- Service area
- All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
- Credentials
- Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.
Types of Additions
We build out, up, and into existing space, whichever makes sense for your lot, your budget, and what the city will approve.
- Single-story rear and side additions
- Second-story additions
- Primary suite and bathroom additions
- Kitchen expansions and bump-outs
- Enclosing patios and converting non-living space
What Drives the Cost
A second story usually costs more per square foot than building out, because the existing foundation and framing often need reinforcement to carry the new load. On a flat lot with room to spare, going out is almost always cheaper than going up.
- Foundation and framing reinforcement
- Roof tie-ins and re-roofing where they meet
- Panel upgrades and HVAC capacity
- Hillside and soils reports where applicable
Design, Engineering and Permits
Additions require structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance, and full plan check. We coordinate the engineer, submit to LADBS or your city, and handle corrections until the permit is issued.
- Architectural plans and structural engineering
- Setback, FAR and height verification
- Title 24 energy calculations
- Plan check corrections handled by us
Room Additions & Second Stories Jobs, With Real Numbers
Every figure below is from a permitted project we completed in Los Angeles County, not an estimate or an industry average.
Second-Story Addition in Burbank
- Cost
- $412,000
- Duration
- 10 months including permitting
- Size
- 1,050 sq ft added, 2 bed / 2 bath upstairs
- Permits
- Burbank Community Development, permitted and inspected
Family Room and Bath Addition in Glendale
- Cost
- $186,000
- Duration
- 6 months including permitting
- Size
- 520 sq ft added, family room plus full bath
- Permits
- Glendale Community Development, permitted and inspected
Room Addition on El Rodeo Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes
- Cost
- $224,000
- Duration
- 8 months including permitting
- Size
- 540 sq ft added, family room plus bedroom
- Permits
- City of Rancho Palos Verdes, permitted and inspected

Isaac Sade, Project Manager
Isaac runs room additions & second stories projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.
Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 168 reviews.
More about IsaacFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a room addition cost in Los Angeles?
Expect $250 to $500+ per square foot depending on whether you're building out or up, the finishes, and what structural reinforcement the existing house needs.
Is it cheaper to build out or add a second story?
Building out is usually cheaper if your lot has room, because a second story often requires reinforcing the existing foundation and framing to carry the added load.
How long does a room addition take?
Plan on 6 to 12 months total: design and engineering, plan check at the city, then 3 to 6 months of construction depending on size.
Do you build home additions near me outside the City of Los Angeles?
Yes. We build primary suite additions, second stories and house extensions across a 100-mile radius of Woodland Hills, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, the Westside, the South Bay and Orange County. Each city runs its own plan check, and we handle whichever one governs your parcel.
Areas We Serve
1 Smart Build provides room additions & second stories services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Woodland Hills
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Calabasas
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Encino
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Sherman Oaks
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Studio City
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Pasadena
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Glendale
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Burbank
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Santa Monica
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Beverly Hills
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Culver City
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Long Beach
- Room Additions & Second Stories in Torrance
- Santa Clarita
- Thousand Oaks
- Ventura
- Anaheim
- Irvine
Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD
Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.

