Whole-home renovation cost by scope
The single biggest factor is how deep the renovation goes. A cosmetic refresh (paint, fixtures, flooring) is a fraction of the cost of a full gut that touches framing, plumbing, and electrical.
- Cosmetic refresh: $15 to $40 per sq ft (paint, flooring, fixtures, minor updates)
- Mid-range remodel: $40 to $90 per sq ft (kitchens, baths, some layout changes)
- Full gut renovation: $90 to $150+ per sq ft (down to the studs, new systems)
Cost by room
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms per square foot because they pack in plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, and tile. Living spaces and bedrooms are far cheaper to update.
- Kitchen remodel: $14,000 to $40,000 (mid-range), more for high-end
- Bathroom remodel: $6,000 to $18,000 (standard full bath)
- Basement finishing: $30 to $75 per sq ft
- Flooring: $3 to $15 per sq ft installed
- Interior paint: $2 to $6 per sq ft
What drives the budget
Two homes of the same size can have very different renovation costs. Watch these levers:
- Finish level: stock materials versus custom and premium
- Moving plumbing or removing walls, which adds labor and permits
- Hidden conditions found once walls open (old wiring, water damage, asbestos)
- Your region, where labor rates can swing the total 20 to 50 percent
- Permits, design fees, and the cost of living somewhere else during the work
How to keep costs under control
The owners who stay on budget tend to do the same things: they keep the existing layout where possible, choose mid-range finishes that look custom, get multiple written bids, and set aside a contingency of 10 to 20 percent for surprises.
Start with the individual project calculators below to build a realistic line-item budget before you talk to contractors.
