Do you need an extra room? I had something similar in one house I owned. I used it as an office space, although I considered adding walls and converting it to a bedroom. At the time I had small kids and wound up selling the house.

Open spaces like yours can be very flexible as your needs change over the years -- office, play room, teen hangout, reading room, yoga space, art studio etc. It can also serve as a guest room with a sofa or murphy bed.

Can't tell you about costs or permits, although I'd check out the "no permit needed" claim. Building and fire officials tend to be very picky about bedroom spaces. If the space was originally designed and permitted as an enclosed room it might be a relatively simple project. Do your homework, and good luck.

Looks like it was designed to be open to me. And were you tp attempt to close that in it would definitely be a hell of a lot more than 12K. I bet closer to 10X that amount.

Talk to a local architect about your proposed project. It looks and sounds like there is a lot of things going on that could effect the design and decision process.

@einportlandor I don't need an extra bedroom but could use an office. I'm not sure how permit works; let's say the builder had it in their permit to build an enclosed room but they ended up not doing it. can I use their permit to build it? or do I need a new permit? the house was built and sold in 2020. also, what's the diff between a bedroom and an office? is the diff having walls or not? what if I had glass walls, do I have to meet bedrooom codes?

the builder said I don't need a permit if I'm just adding an office (for a bedroom I will need one); the only problem is when I sell, I'm unable to offically add the new sqft of the room since I don't have a permit. I have declare to buyers that I did remodelling without a permit.

I think you need advice from a different source.

Never do a substantial remodel without a permit. If someone reports it, you may have to undo the remodel. And if you think people will buy your house when you tell them you remodelled without a permit, well... be prepared to offer a substantial discount.

The builder likely doesn't want to get a permit for one of a couple possible reasons:

• he intends to do the job in a way that would not pass inspection
• he has a bad relationship with the inspectors so they make his life hard
• he's too lazy to go get a permit

I honestly can't think of a good reason. And that would make me want a permit more than ever. If he won't get one, get another builder.

Do you really need walls for an office? Why can't you just setup shop and maybe put up a few shoji screens.

If you are really wanting it done. Get a reliable builder, and get a contract, with all costs in writing, and yes, get the permit. If you dont, when you sell, you will wish you had.

To enclose the space for use as an office you will need HVAC supply and return, plus electrical for lighting and power. $$$