Cost to Renovate a House Per Square Foot

Renovating a house costs $10 to $60 per square foot on average, but you might spend up to $150 per square foot. It really depends on the room and where you live.

• Kitchens and bathrooms cost the most.
• Bedrooms, living rooms and basements fall on the lower end.
• Urban areas with higher costs of living might end up costing double what you’d pay in a more rural place.

Whole House Renovation Costs

For the average 2,500-square-foot home, a whole home renovation costs anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000. To break that range down a little further:

• Low end: $15,000-$45,000. Includes inexpensive updates like trim, paint, landscaping, flooring and counters.
• Mid range: $46,000-$70,000. On top of the low-end options, you’ll probably add a full kitchen or bath remodel and possibly higher end flooring.
• High end: $71,000-$200,000. Includes everything found in the low- and mid-range projects, plus custom or high-end cabinetry and appliances. You’ll possibly make some structural alterations with updates to the layout. Your contractor might fix or add electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, and make foundation repairs.

Multiple Room Refurbishing or Restoration Prices

You’ll spend an average of $20 per square foot to remodel multiple rooms. It really depends on the room. With appliances, cabinets and counters, it’s common for kitchens to exceed $100 a square foot. On the other hand, bedrooms, which only need paint and flooring, might only run $10 per square foot.

Whether you are remodeling one room, tackling multiple rooms or taking on a whole house remodel, you must plan carefully and create a realistic budget. What you ultimately pay will vary depending on which rooms you update.

Renovation Cost Breakdown by Home Type

While you might spend anywhere between $10 to $200 per square foot for your renovation, the range will depend on several factors besides home type:

• Location
• Appliance upgrades
• Material choices

*See next section on renovation considerations.

Old House Renovation Costs

Besides the $25,000 to $75,000 the average homeowner spends on a home renovation, you’ll likely run into other issues with older homes. In general, the older the home, the more likely hidden costs will be lurking behind those doors and walls. For example, older homes may require additional work to bring wiring, plumbing and other features up to date, making your remodel a more expensive, time-consuming prospect.

• Code requirements. When you do a remodel, you’re required to bring everything up to current code specifications. This almost always means all new plumbing and electrical wiring.
• Historic homes. You generally want to maintain the exterior look of a historic home to maintain its property value. Different municipalities have different policies governing what you can and can’t do during a home renovation on a historic home or a home in a historic district, but typically only govern the exterior of the structure. Always contact your local zoning office for guidance. Historic homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places might qualify for special grants and other assistance to maintain the property but don’t always restrict what you can do during a remodel.

Home Additions & Adding Square Footage

Building a home addition costs $21,000 to $70,000 on average but can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $125,000, with homeowners spending an average of $46,000. Again, this depends on the extent of the addition and the finish materials you choose.

Removing interior walls and adding square footage are two popular renovations that can make a big difference in how you use your space. Like any project, you can expect to encounter a range of complexity and corresponding prices.

• Removing walls costs $300-$10,000. It ranges depending on whether it’s load bearing. Load-bearing walls help support the home, which means removing them requires careful planning with the guidance of a structural engineer and fall on the high end of the range. Removing a non-load-bearing wall usually falls under $1,000
• Rewiring a home costs $4,000-$20,000. You’ll pay on the lower end with new additions because you can run electrical wire before the walls are closed up.
• Installing plumbing costs $400-$1,900. If you have older pipes, you might want to upgrade them when you put in new walls.

Home Renovation Cost Estimator by House Size

The larger your home, the more you can expect to pay for remodeling multiple rooms. For example, remodeling a whole house that’s smaller than 1,000 square feet costs an average of $19,000, while a 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot home costs an average of $75,000 to $100,000.

The number of rooms is not always an indicator of total home size. For example, a 1,000-square-foot house with three bedrooms can cost far less than a 4,000-square-foot open concept with only two bedrooms.

Cost to Remodel a House

Home remodels cost anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000 or more depending on what you do. Keep in mind that many of your renovations not only add to your ability to enjoy your home, but they also often add resale value and equity. You can expect anywhere from 40% to 80% return on most remodel projects.

To give you a foundation of what to expect, look at some of the average costs for some of the most popular renovations.

Full Home Remodeling Prices

Remodeling your whole home costs anywhere from $33,500 to $150,000. A few factors that affect the price of the whole house include:

• Your location.
• Quality of materials.
• Size of your home.

House Exterior

Remodeling your homes exterior runs $5,000 to $15,000 on average. Exterior painting costs $1,800 to $4,000. Most remodels also include redoing siding and some landscaping. Landscaping costs an additional $1,400 to $5,500.

Kitchen

Kitchen remodels cost an average of $150 per square foot. The average cost of kitchen remodels comes in at $25,200, with homeowners spending anywhere from $4,000 for small kitchen remodels to $60,000 or more for high end projects.

Kitchen Budget Breakdown*

*The National Kitchen and Bath Association

Kitchen Renovation Costs

Cabinet Costs Per Linear Foot

• Stock: $100-$300
• Semi-custom: $150-$650
• Custom: $500-$1,200
• Refinished: $1,400-$3,500 (total)

Countertop Costs

• Stone: $4,000-$7,000
• Laminate: $1,200-$2,000
• Solid surface: $1,500-$3,000
• Concrete: $2,600-$5,300

Flooring Prices

• Vinyl: $800-$2,650
• Stone: $900-$2,800
• Laminate: $1,500-$4,250
• Wood: $2,500-$6,750

Common Kitchen Renovations

There’s a wide range of options for every kitchen remodel budget. Below is a list of some popular projects based on the scale of the remodeling job.

• Small: $5,000-$30,000. Upgrading lighting, faucets, paint, and trim, adding budget-friendly backsplashes and counter extensions, and knocking down non-load-bearing walls.
• Mid Range: $30,000-$65,000. Upgrading appliances and floors, and adding a tile backsplash, cabinets, and moderately priced counters.
• High End: $65,000+.Adding custom cabinetry, stone or granite counters, high-end EnergyStar appliances, overhead lighting, hardwood flooring and a new sink with faucet.

Bathroom

Remodeling a bathroom averages $125 per square foot. In total, bathroom remodeling costs $2,500 to $25,000 or more. New cabinets alone can take up 30% of the price.

Like kitchen renovations, bathroom remodeling projects come with a wide range of prices depending on the caliber of the cabinets, counters and fixtures you choose. The following list provides an estimation of what each component runs, depending on whether you choose basic, mid range or high end options.

Living Room & Bedroom Remodeling Costs

Living rooms and bedrooms make budget-friendly reno projects at $1,500 to $5,500, usually needing only paint and flooring updates. Living rooms, including dens and family rooms, tend to have more space, so might creep closer to $5,000.

• Living room remodeling costs $1,500-$5,500.
• Bedrooms remodeling costs $1,500-$3,500.

You can think of your home’s rooms in two ways: wet and dry. Wet rooms include anything with water running to them like kitchens, bathrooms, saunas and some utility closets. These tend to fall on the high end of a reno budget. Dry rooms like bedrooms and living rooms typically only need paint and flooring, with one notable exception: the fireplace.

• Fireplace installation costs $900-$3,700. However, fireplace remodeling isn’t part of every home renovation and doesn’t need to break the budget.
• New flooring costs $1,500-$4,500 on average.
• Room painting pricesrange from $200-$900.

Basement

Basement remodels cost $11,000 to $30,000 with an average of $20,000. Some projects can get over $40,000.

Remodeling the basement can be a very big job, depending on the condition of the area and the remodeling house plan. Factors such as installing floors, building walls, adding electrical or plumbing lines and furnishing the room all contribute to the overall price.

One of the priciest remodel options involves adding a bathroom in the basement, which requires hiring a plumber, installing plumbing and buying the necessary fixtures.

Roof

Roof replacement costs $5,500 to $10,500, with an average of $8,000. Although roofs tend to last 20 to 30 years, you might want to update it with the rest of the house. The final price depends on factors such as the roof size, roof pitch, the type of application and the materials.

Average Cost to Gut & Remodel a House

It’ll cost $100,000 to $200,000 to gut and remodel a house. This includes demolition work, structural improvements to the foundation and walls, new roof, new electrical and plumbing, and new finishes and appliances.

Gut Renovation Costs per Square Foot

It’ll cost anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot for a gut and renovation. But you’re basically getting a new house, minus the studs and foundation.

Cost to Gut a House

Gutting or demolishing a home’s interior costs $1,200 to $4,700 with a high end of about $10,000. Total price includes tear out and removal of debris and permits or dumping fees.

Refurbishing and Remodeling Costs by Location

Cost Factors to Updating Your Home

When you get estimates from potential contractors, it’s important to discuss all the potential extras that could contribute to the overall price of the project.

Permits

Building permits cost $400 to $1,800. Before you begin any remodeling home projects, check with your local authorities to determine the permits you’ll need. Most state and local authorities require permits to make sure all the work is done according to building codes. To save time and money, get all the necessary permits before beginning work.

Permits are frequently required for:

• New Construction
• Additions
• Major Renovations
• Structural Changes
• Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Work

Construction or Labor Rates

Labor rates for various trades range from $20 to $150 per hour or more. If you’re acting as your own general contractor, overseeing and coordinating the project, you’ll need to know these subcontractor rates:

Plumbing

The average cost of hiring a plumber is $300. Plumbers may charge by the job or by the hour. Average hourly costs range from $70 to $120, although calling a plumber for an emergency or after-hours project typically costs more.

Electrical

The average cost of hiring an electrician is $350. Like plumbers, many electricians charge by the hour. Typical costs range from $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the amount of experience the electrician has and the intricacy of the work.

Changing the Floorplan of a House

Structural engineers cost $300 to $700. If you’re planning an addition, changing the stairs or knocking down load-bearing walls, you’d be well advised to consult with a structural engineer to make sure your plans can be completed safely.

HVAC

HVAC costs range from $500 to $7,200 or more. You have many different options when it comes to choosing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units. Popular brands include Amana, American Standard, Carrier, Coleman and Lennox, all of which retail for $1,900 to $4,900.

Other common tasks and average costs associated with your in-home climate control options are as follows:

• Installing a new AC unit costs: $3,800-$7,500.
• Installing a furnace costs: $2,600-$6,200.
• Installing a heat pump costs: $4,000-$7,200.
• Installing insulation costs: $1,400-$3,700.
• Installing ducts and vents costs: $500-$1,900.
• Installing solar panels costs: $16,500-$31,000

Appliances

Appliances cost anywhere from $200 to $10,000 or more. When it comes to appliances, you have a lot to consider. While the costs can easily skyrocket, limiting your options to bare-bone basics can be counterproductive.

For example, if you love to cook, splurging on a six-burner stove will enhance your enjoyment and the functionality of your kitchen. Likewise, opting for pricier EnergyStar appliances can ultimately save you money on your energy bills.

Stainless steel remains a trend-driven finish that’s popular with many homeowners. Other stainless appliance finish options include smudge-resistant slate, black, white and ivory. Some homeowners opt for colorful appliances to add a fun pop to the kitchen.

The following list includes estimated costs based on appliance categories:

• Basic/Discount: $100-$2,000 depending on the number of features
• High-End Store Bought Appliances: $300-$5,000
• EnergyStar Appliances: $200-$3,500
• Custom Built-in Appliances: $1,000-$10,000

Cost to Rehab a Home

Rehabbing a house costs anywhere from $20,000 to $75,000 on average. Total gut and replace might run as much as $200,000. Often used interchangeably with remodeling or renovating, rehabbing is a process that usually involves repairs or cleanup.

Home Renovations & Remodeling on a Budget

If you’re looking to remodel on a budget, consider that appliances, cabinetry, flooring and countertops are your big-ticket items. Reuse appliances and refinish surfaces whenever possible. Consider a few of these options to keep your costs down.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a house rehab, remodel and renovation?

Rehab, renovate and remodel are often used interchangeably. However, rehabs tend to imply extensive repairs and cleanup.

How do I estimate renovation costs?

The best way to estimate renovation costs is to talk to an interior designer, architect or general contractor.

How much should I spend on a home renovation?

How much you spend on your renovation depends on what you want and what’s comparable to your neighborhood values. Since you might get back up to 80% on some remodeling projects, it’s better to invest enough to match your lifestyle requirements while keeping your home’s value close to the values of the surrounding homes.

How much remodeling can be done with $100,000?

You can typically get a higher end remodel with $100,000. In smaller homes, you might even be able to get a complete gut and renovation.

How much is the cost of renovating a 100-year-old house?

The cost of renovating a 100-year-old home depends on a large variety of factors including its historical value and the quality of the original build. You’ll also need to consider electrical, plumbing and HVAC updates to meet current code requirements.

Is it cheaper to remodel or build a new house?

It’s generally cheaper to remodel a house than to build a new one.

How long does it take to completely renovate a house?

A complete renovation can take anywhere from 2 to 8 months depending on a ton of factors. You’ll need to talk to your contractor for a specific timetable.

How much do home improvements or repairs cost?

Home improvement costs include a wide range of projects that might cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Major home repairs cost $4,000 to $20,000.