How much does a home addition cost in Pittsburgh?

Every project is different, and cost reflects that — the scope of structural work, site conditions, size, and finishes all play a role. As a design-build firm, we provide transparent cost estimates throughout the process, so you always know where you stand before we move forward.

How long does a home addition take?

It depends on the scope of the project. A multi-room addition or full-story expansion typically runs 8–12 months or more from design to completion, and permitting timelines in the Pittsburgh area vary by municipality, which we factor in from the start.

Do I need to move out during construction?

In most cases, no, though some phases of the project will be more disruptive than others. We plan the construction sequence deliberately to minimize the impact on your daily life, and we’ll walk you through what to expect at each stage before work begins. For projects that involve opening up a significant portion of the existing structure, we’ll discuss realistic options with you up front.

Will the addition match the rest of my home?

Yes — making the new space look and feel like it was always part of your home is central to what we design. We match rooflines, exterior materials, window proportions, and interior transitions so the addition integrates rather than sticks out. Our portfolio includes additions on homes ranging from craftsman bungalows to mid-century ranches to contemporary colonials.

Do you handle permits for home additions?

Yes. We prepare the permit drawings and manage the submission and approval process with your municipality. Pittsburgh-area townships each have their own requirements and timelines. We know the requirements and will handle this for you.

Can you add onto an older Pittsburgh home?

Absolutely — in fact, most of our addition work involves homes built in the mid-20th century. We assess the existing structure during the design phase, so we understand what we’re tying into before a shovel goes in the ground. Older homes sometimes have surprises, but with a design-build approach, we’re equipped to handle them without a separate contractor pointing fingers at the architect.

Where do I start if I'm looking for home addition ideas?

Start by identifying what’s not working in your home — lack of space, poor layout, or an outgrown room. Once clear, the right addition is usually evident. Browse our project portfolio for inspiration, then let’s discuss ideas based on your lot, home, and budget.

Are you a general remodeling contractor?

No — and that matters. Prime 1 Builders is a custom home builder and design-build firm. Our remodeling services focus on structural work like moving walls, expanding spaces, or reorganizing a home’s layout. If your project requires a permit, a foundation, or a structural engineer, we’re a good fit. For finish updates or non-structural remodels, other Pittsburgh firms specialize in those. We carefully choose projects to ensure our best work.

Our Services

Pittsburgh’s Design-Build Home Builder

Prime 1 Builders is a design-build home builder serving the Pittsburgh area. That means we don’t hand you off — from architect to contractor to someone else’s subcontractors. We design and build your home under one roof, with one team accountable from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.

We work on projects that require real structural expertise: custom homes built from the ground up, major additions that move walls and expand footprints, and structural remodeling that fundamentally changes how a home works. If you’re looking for a coat of paint or a bathroom refresh, we’re probably not the right fit. If you’re ready to build or transform something significant, we are.

What We Do

Every project we take on involves significant design and structural work.

Here’s where we focus:

PRIMARY SERVICE

Custom Home Building

We design and build fully custom homes for Pittsburgh-area families — from lot assessment through final walkthrough. No floor plan catalog. No production builder handoffs. Your home, designed around your life, built by one team.

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION

New Home Construction

See our portfolio of completed new construction homes across the Pittsburgh metro — modern farmhouses, craftsman-style builds, aging-in-place designs, accessory dwelling units, and more.

ADDITIONS & REMODELING

Home Additions

Major additions that move dirt, expand footprints, and add real structural square footage. Multi-room expansions, full-story additions, in-law suites, garage and outbuilding construction — projects that require a builder who can design and build together.

KITCHEN REMODELING

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodeling that goes beyond new cabinets and countertops. We take on projects that reconfigure layouts, open up spaces, and structurally change how the kitchen and adjacent rooms connect.

One Team. One Contract. Full Accountability.

Most construction projects involve a separation between the architect who designs and the contractor who builds. That gap is where budgets blow up, timelines slip, and homeowners get stuck in the middle. We eliminate it.

As a design-build firm, Prime 1 Builders keeps design and construction under one roof. Your budget is in the room at every design milestone. The team that draws your home is the team that builds it. And when something needs resolving — on paper or in the field — there’s one accountable party, not two pointing at each other.

We’ve worked this way for over 25 years. It’s not a selling point. It’s just how we build.
Why it matters:

No Handoffs

One team from first sketch to final walkthrough

Budget in the Room

Progressive cost estimates at every design milestone

One Contract

Design and construction under one agreement, one accountability

25+ Years

Building custom homes and major additions across Pittsburgh

CAPS Certified

NAHB Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists

Award-Winning

Pittsburgh Magazine, BAMP, Chrysalis, Pro Remodeler Design Awards

Want to understand how the process works in detail?
Our Design-Build Process page walks through every phase in detail.

A Few Recent Projects

Every home and addition we build is one of a kind. Here’s a cross-section of recent work across our service areas.

Custom Home

Award-Winning Custom Build

Whitehall Borough, Pittsburgh

Custom Home

Modern Farmhouse

McDonald, PA

Custom Home

Aging-in-Place Design

South Park, Pittsburgh

Addition / Outbuilding

Modern Pool House

Multi-Room Addition

Regent Square, Pittsburgh

Addition

???? DAN NOT SURE WHICH ADDITION GOES HERE????

Kitchen Addition & Garage

Point Breeze, Pittsburgh

Where We Build

Prime 1 Builders builds custom homes throughout the greater Pittsburgh metro area, including:

South Hills communities

Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, South Park, Bethel Park

Washington County

McDonald, Houston, Cecil, Canonsburg

Allegheny County

Robinson Township, North Hills, White Hall Borough

Butler County

Gibsonia and surrounding area

Morgan

and the greater western PA region

If you’re not sure whether we build in your area, contact us — our service area continues to grow.

Not Sure Where To Start?

Whether you’re thinking about building new or transforming what you have, the first step is the same — a conversation. Tell us what you’re working with and what you’re trying to accomplish, and we’ll tell you honestly how we can help.

412-257-0160 | info@prime1builders.com