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Remodel Calculator provides accurate prices for the most popular remodels: bathroom, kitchen, interior painting, windows, siding, roofing, flooring, new heating and cooling, etc.
Simply enter your project details below, and get an instant price quote.
In this cost guide:
Average cost to renovate a house
How to estimate remodeling costs using the calculator
Remodeling costs per square foot
Cost of a gut remodel per square foot
Cost to remodel an old or historic house
Top renovations that increase home value
How much to spend on remodeling one room?
When its time to renovate, what comes first?
Additional remodeling calculators
Average cost to remodel a house
Click on the project below to get a custom cost estimate from remodeling pros near you.
Across the US, homeowners spend $14,000-42,000 on house remodeling budget. Basic remodels in individual rooms can be completed for as little as $3,000-8,000. On the high end of the cost spectrum are luxury renovations with prices as high as $75,000-100,000 depending on the number of rooms and the amount of labor involved.
Most popular rooms to remodel are the kitchen and the bathroom. They are also the most expensive. An average kitchen remodel costs $7,000-17,000, while an average bathroom costs $5,000-14,000.
Major structural changes to your house, as well as mechanical updates, such as plumbing are also among the most expensive ticket items to replace and update, which can easily add $10,000-12,000 to the total cost.
Licensed contractors charge $65-120 per hour depending on the field. Plumbers and electricians are among the most expensive pros to hire.
Its important to keep in mind that remodeling prices vary depending on a number of factors:
Quality and cost of professional labor: Many established contractors that have a lot of clients charge more than newer companies that are willing to give lower prices to get work.
Geographic location: higher income areas have overall higher labor rates when it comes to pretty much any type of remodeling, compared to lower income towns. Cost of professional labor can vary by as much as 20% depending on where you live. This is why for accurate remodeling estimates its so important to get quotes from local pros near you.
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Size of the project: as a rule of thumb, bigger projects are overall cheaper per square foot compared to smaller ones. For example, it will cost you less per sq.ft. to remodel two bathrooms in your home, as opposed to one tiny bathroom. Similarly, doing a whole house renovation will overall cost less per square foot than one particular room. This is because contractors have to account for the cost of overhead, set up and clean up for every job that they do, regardless of size, so for the homeowner its more economical to hire for a bigger job.
Complexity of the job and access: a pro that will be giving you a real estimate will be looking at the complexity of the job involved and ease of access. More difficult, time consuming and/or labor intensive jobs can cost up to 30% more for labor, compared to easier ones. For example, you have a very high pitched, cut up roof on a two story house, it will cost a lot more to replace than the same size roof on a simple, one story ranch style home.
Quality of materials and finishing surfaces: in general, materials account for 40-60% of the total remodel cost. Materials prices can very greatly, from very cheap, to high-end luxury products. Among the most expensive materials are kitchen cabinets, countertops, kitchen appliances, as well as heating and cooling systems, such as boilers, furnaces, etc. You have to make decisions, based on your budget, how much you are willing to invest in materials. Usually, it better to invest in mid-range quality products that offer a nice compromise between durability, pricing and visual appeal.
Unexpected issues/hidden problems: one costly part of the renovation that most homeowners have to face is unexpected issues that can suddenly surface once the remodel actually begins. These usually include things like mold, water damage, structural problems, plumbing and electric hazards because the system has not been installed up to code standards.
Once such an issue comes up, you have to either address it or halt the project. Because fixing these types of issues is very costly and can add as much as $10-15K to your initial remodel cost, its best to set aside at least 15% of your total projected remodeling budget for sudden issues. So if you were planning to spend $50,000 on your house renovation, you should set aside at least $7,000 extra to mitigate any unforeseen problem and resume the remodel.
Check out our comprehensive House Remodeling Guide to find up-to-date materials and installation prices for the most popular renovation projects.
How to use remodeling calculator
For any room you want to estimate, select the remodel “quality” you are looking to have:
– Low End (typically in a rental property)
– Mid-Range (most homes)
– High End (luxury properties)
The cost difference between each of these levels can be as much as $8,000-20,000 or more, especially when you are comparing between a mid-range vs. luxury remodel cost.
For more accurate pricing, select whether your project is “New Construction” or “Renovation”.
Finally, you can add demolition work to the cost estimate.
Bathroom remodel cost
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Low-end and Mid-range settings presume the bathroom size is around 5×8 feet, with a new tub, vanity sink and cabinets, new toilet, tile floors and shower / bath-tub enclosure, and wall-paper on the walls.
A high-End setting presumes a 10×10 luxury bathroom, with a modern corner shower, whirlpool Jacuzzi tub, marble vanity sink, and tile on floors and walls.
Kitchen remodel cost
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Select Low End, Mid Range (most homes) or High End – luxury kitchen remodel. This includes ripping out existing kitchen cabinets and appliances, installing new cabinets, laminated counter tops (granite counters for a high end remodel), stainless steel double sink with new faucets, garbage disposal, dishwasher, stove and refrigerator, as well as new tile flooring.
New flooring installation cost
Enter total square footage of flooring to be installed and choose the material – Laminate, Carpeting, Tile or Hardwood (standard quality level). Optionally, you can select hardwood refinishing, which includes stripping existing hardwoods, and applying two coats of Urethane or Water-Based stain / clear coat. Estimate DOES NOT include removing the old flooring material.
Replacement windows prices
$3,520 - $6,895
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Enter the number of new windows to be installed and select the material – Vinyl, Wood, Fiberglass or Aluminum. Prices include Low-E / Argon gas, insulation around the frame and re-installing existing stops (inside trim). For vinyl windows, prices are calculated for mid-range quality, which includes welded frame and sashes. Since windows play a huge role in the energy efficiency of your house as well as overall comfort inside, its best to invest in the most energy efficient windows you can afford.
Siding replacement cost
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Select your material: vinyl, wood, Hardie/fiber cement. Enter the size of your house exterior walls (approximate amount) as sq. footage for new installation. To calculate the size of your siding job, take ground measurements of your home, add each side together, multiply by 2, and multiply by wall height (typically 9.5 ft. per level) and multiply by 1.05 if you have gable ends.
1: (46 + 28) * 2 = 148
2: 148 * 9.5 * 1.05 = 1476.3 sq. ft. of new siding.
Remodel cost per square foot
How much you spend on remodeling per square foot largely depends on the room your are renovating and the level of remodel you are looking for (low-end, mid-range, or luxury).
For regular rooms, such as an office, bedroom, living room, etc remodeling cost per square foot is $20-35. However, remodeling a bathroom costs as much as $40-90 per square foot. Remodeling a kitchen is even more expensive: $50 – 100 per square foot or more.
High-end remodels cost as much as $200-300 per square foot.
Gut and remodel cost per square
Fully gutting and remodeling a house is most expensive, and is pretty much equivalent to build a new house. Costs range from $100 – to $200 per square foot depending on the size of the home and complexity of remodel involved. This includes all demolition work, structural and foundation work, permits and dump fees. If you have a 2,000 sq.ft. home, a gut remodel will cost at least $100,000.
Cost of a whole house renovation
If you would rather remodel the entire home, rather than do it in stages (this is what most homeowners do because of budget constraints), here is an approximate break down of how much a whole whole renovation costs.
For a typical size 2,500 sq.ft. home, the cost to do a cosmetic renovation without fixing any major problems can cost $20,000-35,000. This can include things like fresh paint, new inexpensive counters and flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, new lighting fixtures, sinks, faucets, shower heads, light landscaping.
For a 2,000-2,5000 sq.ft. house, a $50K remodeling budget is very solid and can give you all the major improvements. Spending between $40,000-75,000 can go a long way and include things like a full kitchen and bathroom renovation, higher end flooring, new windows, siding, roof, deck. In this price range, the more you are looking to get done, the cheaper your materials will have to be. Here you will have to make a lot of decisions and compromises between quantity vs quality.
Spending $100K or more to fully renovate a 2,500 can offer you a high-end remodel, with expensive materials, higher end kitchen appliances, nicer looking siding, more extensive landscaping, new deck or patio.
When remodeling the entire home, its important to find a reputable General Contractor (GC) who will be overseeing all the work, managing the subcontractors and purchasing your materials. While you can avoid hiring a general contractor, if you are renovating one room at a time, massive remodels are best managed by a pro. This will save you both time and money.
Here is a reference chart with average remodeling cost estimates based on house size.
| Square footage | Average remodel cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq.ft. | $18,000 – 25,000 |
| 1,500 sq.ft | $30,000 – 40,000 |
| 2,000 sq.ft. | $45,000 – 55,000 |
| 2,500 sq.ft. | $50,000 – 70,000 |
| 3,000 sq.ft | $ 60,000 – 85,000 |
| 4,000 sq.ft. | $ 80,000 – 100,000 |
| 5,000 sq.ft. | $120,000 – 150,000 + |
Cost to remodel an old or historic home
If you need to fully renovate an old house, you should budget for extra spending. Old houses have a lot of hidden issues that we discussed above that may not even come up during the inspection. Most old houses also have outdated electric wiring, heating and plumbing and sewage systems that are no longer up to code. If you want to renovate an old or historic house, expect to spend at least $20,000 more than on a newer house of comparable size.
Doing minor cosmetic renovations are pretty much impossible in an old house, so prepare to spend at least $50,000 – 65,000 on a 2,000 sq.ft. home.
Historic house renovation cost will be even more expensive, since you have to adhere to specific rules and standards for siding, roofing, windows, stairs, etc. Getting the right materials to maintain the historic look can easily add another $25,000-30,000 in labor and special materials.
What renovations increase home value the most?
Whether you are looking to remodel an investment property or your own house that you may want to sell at some point, its smart to invest into those remodels that have the highest return on investment ROI. Among these remodels are those that greatly increase the curb appeal and functionality of the house.
When it comes to exterior remodels, siding replacement and roof replacement bring in the highest return on investment. According to the Remodeling Magazine’s Value Report replacing old siding can bring as much as 79% ROI, while installing a new roof can bring in as much as 109% !!!!
These exterior projects are followed by new windows, doors, landscaping and adding a deck. All of these projects bring in 70-85% ROI. If replacing your siding is too expensive, consider painting it, as this will be a quick and budget friendly way to improve the home’s curb appeal.
In terms of interior remodeling, fresh painting is hands down the most effective way to boost the value and appeal of the home, without spending too much. Of course, bathrooms and kitchens top the list of remodels with the highest return on investment, giving back at least 69-75% of what you spent. Often, the returns on kithen and bathroom remodels can be as high as 80-85%
According the National Builders Association, adding a half bathroom, boost the value of an average house by 10.5%. Adding a full bathroom boost house value by as much as 20%
Keep in mind that luxury level remodels that cost tens of thousands of dollars don’t bring in a high ROI, especially if the value of the property is not commensurate with this level of a remodel. In practical terms, if your home value is $500,000, it does not make sense to invest $50,000 into a jaw-dropping master bathroom renovation, because you will not get most of it back, during the sale. However, if the house is worth $3,000,000, then spending this much on a bathroom remodel would be appropriate.
For higher value properties, one of the best remodels to increase the value of the house is to build an addition or to convert an attic into a living space. Both of these remodels are very costly, but they boast a high return of over 80% Other projects to consider are finishing the basement, converting a room into a man cave, building a garage.
Another type of remodel that can significantly improve your home value, that most people don’t consider doing is updating the internal systems of your house, such as plumbing, heating, cooling, electric, sewage, etc. For example, adding central air to your house, especially if you live in a hot climate can be a major boost to the value of your home.
Also, note that any mechanical or structural problems that your house may have will come up anyways during the inspection. At that point you will be in a position to either agree to fix or replace the system before sale or take a cut on the original price you were looking to get for your house. To avoid this scenario, its best to do major work prior to sale and then advertise your home as having this brand new system. This way, you can actually get a significant portion of the remodeling cost back, AND top dollar for the house itself.
Pro Tip: when choosing to do a particular remodeling project, you should aim to get at least 60% ROI. If you are not sure whether you can get this back, consult an experienced local realtor, because returns on investment vary greatly depending on the local real estate market, and what homeowners value in a specific neighborhood.
Overall, remember that remodeling does not have to be an all or nothing game. Even doing partial updates, such as replacing or refinishing kitchen cabinets as opposed to doing an entire kitchen remodel, can go along way in increasing your home value.
How much should you invest to remodel a particular room?
When it comes to smart budgeting for a renovation, emotions can easily cloud judgement. It natural for many homeowners to start pouring thousands of dollars into a dream kitchen or bathroom, especially if you hate the one you have now, without thinking about the bottom line.
However, the reality is that if you don’t have unlimited cash flow you should be mindful of the returns a particular remodeling project will bring you. That is of course if you think you may sell your house in the next 5-10 years. In this case, there is one big rule you need to follow:
DO NOT spend more than the value of the room compared to the overall house value on its renovation. We are going to give an example of a renovation budget for a house that is worth $400,000. Here is how the numbers break down:
Kitchen value is 15% of total house value. So you would be spending no more that $50,000 on a complete kitchen remodel
Master bathroom value is 10% of the total house value. So you should spend no more than $40,000 on a complete bathroom remodel.
Small bathroom/powder room value is 5% of the total house value. So you should spend no more than $20,000 on this remodel
One room in the house (bedroom, living room, office, etc) is valued at 1-3% of the total home value. So don’t spend more than $4,000-12,000 on renovating a single room.
Finished attic and finished basement are both valued at about 10-15% of total house value. So you should spend no more than $40,000-50,000 on either one of these remodels
Patio or deck is worth 2-5% of house value. Don’t spend more than $8,000-10,000 on installing a new deck or patio in a $400,000 house
A roof is typically worth 2-4% of the house value. So you should spend $8,000-12,000 on the cost of a new roof. Keep in mind that while a roof is not worth a lot per se, it can be a huge downer for your house value at the point of sale, if its an old roof or is leaking. So if your roof is nearing the end of its service life or has major issues, its best to replace it before you put your house up for sale.
Siding is worth 3-5% of the total home value. Spend around $12,000-20,000 on new siding. If you are on a budget don’t just settle for cheap vinyl siding, as today there is a wide range of beautiful siding options for any price point.
Windows are worth around 3-4% of the toal value of your house. So spend about $12,000-16,000 on replacement windows.
What is the first thing to do when remodeling a house?
Many homeowners facing a whole house renovation, wonder where they should start remodeling first. The answer really depends on your budget, the extent of the renovation you are looking to do, your time frame, and whether your are renovating to sell or to live in this house.
However, here are a few general ideas to get you started on a solid remodeling plan:
1. The first thing you should do is fix any problem areas the house may have. These most likely were discovered and discussed during the inspection, prior to the sale of the home. Serious problems that need to be adressed right away are a leaking roof (or a very old roof that may leak at any moment), mold, any water damage, structural problems, very old or damaged windows, issues with heating, cooling, water heater, furnace, etc.
2. Once you take care of problem areas, or if you are lucky and the house doesn’t have these, you can move on to the phase of improving the look and enjoyment of your new home. At this point, most folks choose between remodeling a bathroom or the kitchen. You can always do both, if you have the cash flow. Keep in mind that doing a full kitchen remodel will cost at least $10,000 more compared to a full bathroom remodel.
If you are strapped for cash, consider doing more cosmetic updates in the kitchen and bathroom, such as fresh paint, replacing sinks, hardware, refacing cabinetry, as opposed to replacing them.
3. The next item on the typical remodeling bucket list is repainting the entire home. This can also be the Number 1 thing you do, if funds are limited. A fresh coat of paint is the fastest and cheapest way to give a house a face lift. If you are looking for something more fancy, you can also add crown moldings and lighting in this phase of the remodel.
4. Next, consider replacing flooring in the entire home, or just rooms that have floors that are in bad shape.
5. If the home does not require any major interior or exterior remodeling, many homeowners put in efforts and money into making the home more green and energy efficient. This can involve things like a more energy efficient roof, such as a metal roof, solar panels, new windows, new house insulation, new energy efficient boiler or furnace, energy efficient kitchen appliances.
6. For exterior projects, which are usually done once the interior feels livable and nice, installing new siding is a very popular remodel. This is because siding makes the biggest visual impact and makes or breaks the curb appeal of the home. If you are prepping the house up for sale, replacing old, ugly siding should be a top priority.
7. Extensive landscaping, building or extending the deck, building a patio, gazebo, etc, are all projects that add a lot of enjoyment to the home, but are not a necessity for a good sale, if the rest of the house is in very good shape. Minor landscaping is a good idea to attract buyers, if the lawn/yard look very unkempt.
8. For people looking to add a touch of luxury to their homes, there are improvements such as installing radiant heat flooring, Jacuzzi tub, sauna, steam shower, inside or outside pool.
9. Projects such as building an addition, converting a basement or attic into living space, adding a second floor to the existing home are all undertaken in cases where there is not enough space in the existing house and its cheaper to expand the existing foot print of the home, rather than buy a bigger house.
Additional remodel estimate tools
If you want a more accurate cost estimate for a specific remodeling project, please use the appropriate calculator:
- Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator
- Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator
- Kitchen Countertops Cost Calculator
- Interior Painting Cost Calculator
- Window Replacement Cost Calculator
- Flooring Cost Estimator
- Roof Replacement Cost
- Siding Cost Estimator
- Deck Cost Calculator
- Attic (Shed Dormer) Home Addition Cost Calculator
- Home Building Cost Calculator
- Gutter Installation Cost Calculator
- Concrete Calculator
- Rental Income Calculator
HVAC / Heating / Cooling / Plumbing Calculators:
- HVAC BTU Load Calculator
- Central AC + Furnace Calculator
- Mini Split Sizing Calculator
- Water Heater SizingCalculator (40-75 Gal Tank)
- Tankless Water Heater Sizing Calculator
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It would be awesome to see calculators that give options to “do it yourself” for some components vs hiring a contractor for everything. Not everyone has the skills (or tools) to do this but many do. A few hours watching YouTube videos can teach a lot to someone that already has a few basic skills and isn’t afraid to wade in with both feet! Another alternative would be to simply break out subtotals for materials and labor that way it would pretty much accomplish the same thing.
The remodel calculator for bathrooms seems crazy low to me. I’d say they should be at least double. I am in the middle, not low or luxury. Our Thomasville vanity and wall cabinet ordered through the local hardware store (not off the floor), alone are $3K, on sale. Our quotes for a 120 sq ft bathroom are over $30K. Maybe it would be better if the estimates included a few more variables – type or material desired for flooring, bathtub, tile, shower etc. (I understand that contractor fees will vary widely based on location, but the products)?
PLEASE COME OVER TO MEASURE PROJECT. FRONT ENTRANCE WALKWAY WITH PLANTER BOXES EACH SIDE AND A PLANTER BOX ACROSS FRONT OF HOUSE WHICH I BELIEVE IS 60 FEET LONG
Disappointed âšī¸
I read a whole page on stucco and there is no options for it in your calculator.
Laura,
Stucco is very uncommon product, and there are literally over 100 different ways one can install it, as far as materials used or not used, insulation, mesh, thickness, attachment to walls, etc. So calculation stucco jobs is very tricky.
Also, this here is a general purpose home improvement and remodeling calculator, that is capable of estimating simple siding jobs. We also have a more detailed, longer form siding costs estimator which is a better fit for you.
However, basically you can use a minimum of $16-20/sq foot base cost of doing stucco, if your home is not super cut-up AND you have wide-enough roof overhangs. Because if your contractor will have to build out overhangs, job will me a lot more expensive!
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Leo
need to fix floors and to level them, fix ceiling, replace windows, siding, plumbing, electrical, and replace heat unit.
That’s going to be expensive …
You need to update your pricing. It certainly isn’t setting the correct expectation for any job I’ve ever seen in decades, in terms of what your calculator shows in pricing. You are off by double what the calulator should show, for national and regional prices.
Hi, my name is Toni, and I need to add a bathroom and bedroom.
I have a finished basement that I want to divide into 2 bedrooms, each one with its own closet. For the kitchen, I have an “L” shape wall that I wanna remove and build an island instead. I need to do this project as soon as possible. Our budget is less than $10,000.00 for both projects. Thank you.
Is this calculator include labor, or just the materials
Phillip,
Yes, labor and materials are included in all calculation. Also, you can adjust local cost to your region.
Cheers
We need to have the existing ductwork removed and replaced with new ductwork before the roof will be scheduled for mitigation. New roof and all new high impact windows and doors were recently added. Condensation has caused some ceiling damage but the roof was not damaged with the hurricane and has no leaks. Our home is approximately 37 years old and was built by a builder who lived in it for several years. It has been in excellent repair.
Owner, Natalie Weiss
As a Contractor, that calculator. Is very exact in my, and I can use it alot. I love it, already. It’s the truth. V. Fields.
we have a ranch home that we would like to investigate a complete demolition and remodel
This is a great rough estimation tool for calculation, as a realtor I use it and share it with my clients all the time. Is there an app?
Renovate. Double wide bricked in home. Second level additions. on top of existing structure. Military retired.
This tool is extremely helpful, thank you!
Thanks Emma,
Feel free to let your friends know about it … share of FB for example đ
I’m trying to get my whole bathroom a total make over
Hi,
My name is Matt Lee. I work for Malarkey Roofing, a leading manufacturer of Roofing Products based in Portland, Oregon. I came across your Remodeling Costs for 2016 post at https://www.remodelingcalculator.org/remodeling-costs/ while I was researching about roofing shingles. This one’s a good read here!
I would like to know if you would consider accepting a guest post on your blog. I’d love to contribute and I can write anything related to home improvement, design and architecture.
Let me know if you’ll be interested. Thank you.
Regards,
Matt Lee
Thank you for making these calculators available. I have found them very useful!
Hi Greg,
Thanks for the heads up – fixed. Also thanks for the feedback about the calculator. We are actually making individual, more in depth calculators for each type of remodeling. Windows calculator is already available. Next is flooring, which is ready to be published – just need to fine-tune it.
What do you think about the price accuracy? I know this calculator is very basic, but still…
Sincerely, Leo.
Hi! Great calculator but Is this factoring in the contractors fees or is it materials only?
Chad,
This calculator includes BOTH labor and materials in the price estimates that you get. Under labor, it also include contractor’s overhead and profits.
You might want to correct some spelling. “Flooding” should be Flooring right.
Overall I think this will could help customers/clients get a realistic idea of the cost of remodeling projects. It should be helpful in determining a starting point for a budget. Of course there are many variables that it would impossible to be more accurate. I like that it is simple to use also. Clients could use it as a benchmark to compare contractor actual bid cost against.