Home Renovation Cost Estimator & Guide
Calculate renovation costs room by room. Get realistic estimates for kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and whole-home remodeling projects.
Room-by-Room Renovation Calculator
Enter details for each room you plan to renovate
Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen remodels offer excellent return on investment. Costs vary significantly based on scope—from cabinet refacing to full gut renovations.
Typical Kitchen Costs
Basic ($75/sq ft): Paint, hardware, minor updates, laminate counters
Mid-Range ($150/sq ft): New cabinets, granite/quartz counters, appliances
Upscale ($250+/sq ft): Custom cabinets, premium appliances, structural changes
Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom updates consistently rank among the best home improvements for both daily enjoyment and resale value.
Typical Bathroom Costs
Basic ($60/sq ft): Paint, new fixtures, refinished tub
Mid-Range ($125/sq ft): New tile, vanity, toilet, shower/tub
Upscale ($200+/sq ft): Custom tile, frameless glass, luxury fixtures
Bedroom Renovation
Bedroom renovations typically focus on flooring, paint, closet systems, and lighting. Structural changes like adding bathrooms significantly increase scope.
Typical Bedroom Costs
Basic ($25/sq ft): Paint, carpet or laminate flooring
Mid-Range ($50/sq ft): Hardwood floors, closet system, lighting
Upscale ($85+/sq ft): Built-ins, premium finishes, en-suite connection
Living Room Renovation
Living room updates often center on flooring, built-ins, fireplace makeovers, and opening up walls. Structural changes require engineering review.
Typical Living Room Costs
Basic ($30/sq ft): Paint, basic flooring, lighting updates
Mid-Range ($60/sq ft): Hardwood, fireplace surround, built-ins
Upscale ($100+/sq ft): Opened walls, custom millwork, premium features
Basement Renovation
Finishing a basement adds valuable living space. Costs depend heavily on existing conditions—moisture issues, ceiling height, and egress requirements.
Typical Basement Costs
Basic ($35/sq ft): Drywall, basic flooring, minimal fixtures
Mid-Range ($70/sq ft): Full finish with bathroom, quality materials
Upscale ($120+/sq ft): Wet bar, theater, premium finishes throughout
Detailed Room-by-Room Cost Guide
🍳 Kitchen Remodel
Average Cost: $15,000 – $75,000+
The kitchen remains the heart of home renovation investment. Minor remodels focusing on refinishing cabinets, updating countertops, and new appliances run $15,000-$30,000. Mid-range remodels with semi-custom cabinets and quality countertops cost $30,000-$50,000. Full luxury renovations with custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and layout changes easily exceed $75,000.
🚿 Bathroom Remodel
Average Cost: $6,000 – $35,000+
Half-bath updates with new fixtures and finishes run $6,000-$12,000. Full bathroom renovations with new tile, vanity, and fixtures cost $15,000-$25,000. Master bath remodels with premium features, separate shower and tub, and custom tile work range from $25,000-$50,000 or more.
🛋️ Living Areas
Average Cost: $5,000 – $50,000+
Basic refreshes with paint and new flooring run $5,000-$15,000 depending on size. Adding built-in shelving or entertainment centers costs $8,000-$20,000. Major renovations involving wall removal, fireplace updates, and premium finishes range from $25,000-$50,000.
🏠 Basement Finish
Average Cost: $20,000 – $75,000+
Basic basement finishing runs $25-$40 per square foot for simple drywall, flooring, and lighting. Full living spaces with bathroom, wet bar, and quality finishes cost $50-$80 per square foot. Theater rooms, wine cellars, and premium finishes push costs to $100+ per square foot.
DIY vs. Contractor: Making the Right Choice
Doing work yourself can save 30-50% on labor costs, but only for suitable projects. Here's how to decide.
| Project Type | DIY Potential | DIY Savings | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Excellent | 50-70% | Great DIY project for most homeowners |
| Flooring (Laminate/Vinyl) | Good | 40-60% | DIY-friendly with patience and research |
| Flooring (Hardwood/Tile) | Moderate | 30-50% | Experience recommended; mistakes costly |
| Cabinet Refacing | Moderate | 30-40% | Doable but time-intensive |
| Electrical Work | Limited | N/A | Hire licensed electrician for safety/code |
| Plumbing | Limited | N/A | Minor repairs OK; major work needs pro |
| Structural Changes | Not Recommended | N/A | Always hire licensed contractor |
✅ Good DIY Candidates
- Interior painting and wallpaper
- Laminate and vinyl flooring
- Basic landscaping
- Cabinet hardware replacement
- Light fixture swaps (like-for-like)
- Faucet and showerhead replacement
- Door and trim installation
⚠️ Hire a Professional For
- Electrical panel or circuit work
- Gas line work
- Load-bearing wall removal
- Plumbing rough-in or re-routing
- Roof replacement
- HVAC installation
- Foundation repair
Smart Renovation Savings Strategies
Refinish, Don't Replace
Refinishing cabinets costs 50-70% less than new ones. Bathtub refinishing saves thousands over replacement. Hardwood floor refinishing beats new installation.
Keep Plumbing in Place
Moving plumbing is expensive. Design renovations around existing drain and supply line locations when possible to avoid costly re-routing.
Shop Salvage & Surplus
Architectural salvage stores, Habitat ReStores, and surplus outlets offer quality materials at 50-80% off retail. Great for cabinets, doors, fixtures, and hardware.
Time Your Project
Winter months often see better contractor availability and pricing. Holiday sales offer appliance and material savings. Avoid peak spring/summer season if schedule allows.
Handle Demo Yourself
Demolition labor is expensive. Carefully removing old cabinets, flooring, and fixtures yourself can save $1,000-$5,000 on larger projects.
Prioritize Impact
Focus budget on high-visibility areas. Splurge on countertops you'll see daily; economize on cabinet interiors and hidden spaces.
Renovation FAQs
Kitchen renovations range from $15,000-$30,000 for basic cosmetic updates (paint, hardware, countertops) to $50,000-$100,000+ for full remodels with custom cabinets, premium appliances, and layout changes. A mid-range kitchen renovation typically costs $25,000-$50,000 and includes new stock or semi-custom cabinets, granite or quartz countertops, mid-range appliances, and updated flooring.
Bathroom remodels cost $6,000-$15,000 for basic updates including new fixtures, vanity, and cosmetic improvements. Mid-range renovations with new tile, fixtures, and full refresh run $15,000-$35,000. Luxury master bath remodels with custom tile, frameless shower glass, freestanding tub, and premium fixtures range from $35,000-$75,000 or more.
Renovation is typically cheaper per square foot ($100-$300) compared to new construction ($150-$400+). However, extensive renovations addressing structural issues, outdated electrical and plumbing, and full interior updates can approach or exceed new construction costs. Renovation makes sense when the home's location, lot, and basic structure are desirable. New construction is often better when renovation scope becomes very extensive.
Kitchen and bathroom renovations typically offer the best return on investment, recovering 60-80% of costs at resale. Interestingly, minor kitchen remodels often outperform major renovations in ROI percentage. Exterior improvements like new siding, garage door replacement, and entry door updates also show strong returns. Energy efficiency upgrades appeal to buyers and offer ongoing savings. Adding square footage through finished basements or additions varies widely by market.
DIY can save 30-50% on labor costs for suitable projects like painting, flooring installation, and cosmetic updates. However, electrical work, plumbing beyond simple fixture swaps, structural modifications, and major renovations should be handled by licensed professionals. Consider your skill level, available time, cost of mistakes, and permit requirements. Some tasks (gas work, major electrical) legally require licensed contractors in most jurisdictions.
Timeline varies dramatically by scope. A bathroom refresh takes 2-3 weeks. Full bathroom renovation runs 4-6 weeks. Kitchen remodels typically take 6-12 weeks depending on complexity. Whole-house renovations can span 3-6 months or more. Add 2-4 weeks for design, permitting, and material ordering before work begins. Unexpected issues, material delays, and change orders commonly extend timelines by 20-30%.