Last Updated:December 22, 2024
DIY Sunroom Kit vs. Professional Sunroom Installation
Sunrooms are a great way to add extra living space to your home and enjoy the outdoors without being exposed to the elements. These enclosed spaces allow you to relax and enjoy the natural light and views of your backyard, patio, or garden all year round.
There are two main options for adding a sunroom to your home: a DIY sunroom kit or professional installation. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. In this blog post, we’ll compare DIY sunroom kits and professional installation to help you decide which option is the best for you.
DIY Sunroom Kits
DIY sunroom kits are pre-designed and pre-fabricated sunroom systems that you can assemble yourself. These kits typically include all the necessary materials and instructions for building your sunroom, and they can be a cost-effective option for homeowners who are handy and comfortable with DIY projects.Advantages of DIY Sunroom Kits:
- Cost: DIY sunroom kits are generally less expensive than hiring a professional to install your sunroom. The cost of a DIY kit will depend on the size and style of the sunroom, but you can expect to save several thousand dollars by doing the work yourself.
- Customization: With a DIY kit, you have more control over the design and layout of your sunroom. You can choose the size, shape, and style that best fits your needs and budget, and you can make any necessary modifications as you go.
- Sense of accomplishment: There’s a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with building something yourself, and a DIY sunroom can be a rewarding project for homeowners who enjoy tackling home improvement projects on their own.
Drawbacks of DIY Sunroom Kits:
- Time and effort: Building a sunroom from a kit can be a time-consuming and physically demanding project, especially if you have little experience with construction or home improvement. It can take several days or even weeks to complete the project, depending on the size and complexity of the sunroom.
- Lack of expertise: Unless you have experience with construction and carpentry, you may encounter challenges and setbacks while building your sunroom. This can be frustrating and potentially costly if you have to hire someone to fix mistakes or complete the project for you.
- Quality: While DIY sunroom kits are generally of good quality, they may not be as durable or long-lasting as professionally installed sunrooms. This is because the materials used in DIY kits may not be as high-quality or well-sealed as those used by professional contractors.
Professional Sunroom Installation
Professional sunroom installation involves hiring a licensed contractor to design and build your sunroom from scratch. This option is more expensive than a DIY kit, but it offers several advantages for homeowners who want a custom-designed sunroom that is built to last.Advantages of Professional Sunroom Installation:
- Quality: Professionally installed sunrooms are typically built with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, which means they are more durable and long-lasting than DIY sunrooms. This is especially important if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions.
- Expertise: Professional contractors have the skills, experience, and training to design and build a sunroom that meets all local building codes and standards. This ensures that your sunroom is safe and structurally sound, and it also helps to protect your home’s value.
- Convenience: Professional sunroom installation is a turnkey solution that takes the burden of design and construction off your shoulders. You can sit back and relax while the contractors handle everything from design to clean-up, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply enjoy your new sunroom.
- Warranty: Most professional contractors offer a warranty on their work, which can provide peace of mind and protection against any issues that may arise in the future.
Drawbacks of Professional Sunroom Installation:
- Cost: Professional sunroom installation is typically more expensive than a DIY kit, especially if you opt for a custom design and high-quality materials for walls, glass windows, and floors. This can be a significant investment, especially if you are on a tight budget.
- Limited customization: While professional contractors can design a sunroom to your specifications, they may not be able to accommodate every request or preference. This can be frustrating if you have specific ideas in mind for your sunroom. This may seem counterintuitive, but because kits are designed by structural engineers they will know exactly what doors or railings can be included whereas a custom-built solution will base the options on known-to-work.
- Time: Professional sunroom installation typically takes longer than a DIY project, as it involves design and planning as well as construction. This can be inconvenient if you are eager to start using your new sunroom as soon as possible.
Which Sunroom Option is Right for You?
When deciding between a DIY sunroom kit and a professional installation, it’s important to consider your budget, skills, and preferences. If you are handy and comfortable with DIY projects, a DIY sunroom kit can be a cost-effective option that allows you to customize your sunroom to your liking. However, if you are on a tight budget or don’t have the time or expertise to tackle a construction project, professional installation may be the better choice.Professional sunroom installation offers the convenience of a turnkey solution and the peace of mind of a warranty, but it comes at a higher cost. If you are willing to invest in a high-quality, professionally installed sunroom, you can enjoy a beautiful and functional addition to your home that will last for years to come.
Are Sunrooms worth the cost?
Sunrooms will add value to the home; however, the ROI may not always be positive. Sunrooms are a great way to add square footage to an existing home. They are a budget option when compared with a full-room addition, and they can either be three-season or four-season rooms.When deciding on your house, we recommend looking at comparable home sales in your area. A lot of this will depend on whether or not people in your community are willing to pay extra for the new space that you’re adding.
I grew up in the southeast US, and for us, a sunroom or screened patio was a huge deal. Nearly every home had one as it’s where the family would gather on Sunday afternoon. Whereas I now live in Phoenix, and I wouldn’t want a sunroom on the house as it would greatly increase our cooling bill in the summer. So much of this depends on precisely where you live, that it’s impossible to address this question for all our readers.
Many people choose to add a sunroom because they will enjoy it even if it isn’t going to be the best financial decision. If you are going to own your home for another 5-10 years, is the negative value from the addition offset because you are more able to entertain and host instead of going to a restaurant or park?