2026 price ranges at a glance
| Project | Typical installed price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sunroom, all types | About $180 per sq ft average | San Diego, 2026 |
| Sunroom, all types | $22,000 to $75,000 (about $47,000 average) | National, 2026 |
| Four-season sunroom | $25,000 to $120,000 | National, 2026 |
| Three-season room | $10,000 to $40,000 | National, 2026 |
| Glass sunroom or solarium | $30,000 to $75,000 | National, 2026 |
| Patio enclosure | $8,700 to $28,400 (about $17,800 average) | National, 2026 |
| Screens added to an existing cover | $10 to $25 per sq ft | National, 2026 |
National figures are a floor for San Diego, where labor, engineering and permits typically cost more. Custom sunrooms nationally run about $150 to $300 per square foot.
What drives the price
- Type of room: screen rooms cost the least and four-season rooms the most.
- Size: the biggest single factor.
- Glass: dual-pane Low-E glass costs more but makes the room usable in summer.
- Foundation: a new slab or footings add cost if your existing patio cannot be used.
- Heating and cooling: a ductless mini-split is the usual choice for four-season rooms.
- Electrical: outlets, lights and ceiling fans.
- Plans and permits: sunrooms usually need structural plans and a building permit.
Permits
Sunrooms are reviewed as additions in most San Diego County cities, so plan on a building permit with structural plans. Building codes sort sunrooms into categories, from screen-only rooms up to fully conditioned rooms that open to the house, and the category sets the requirements for glass, structure and energy performance. A conditioned room also has to meet California's energy code. Your contractor should handle the plans and permit and include them in the quote.
Sources
Prices checked October 2026. San Diego sunroom estimate: ContractorPlus. National sunroom ranges by type: HomeAdvisor sunroom cost guide (updated June 2026). Patio enclosure costs: HomeAdvisor patio enclosure cost guide (updated June 2026). Screen costs: HomeGuide (updated February 2026). Sunroom categories: City of Escondido sunroom addition guideline.
