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Renovation cost calculator
A whole-house budget in under a minute: size, scope, age and the big-ticket items, adjusted for your state, with a contingency you should not skip.
$119 per sq ft · range $182,403–$257,510
| General interior (mid-level) | $102,600 |
| Kitchen | $45,000 |
| Bathrooms ×2 | $44,000 |
| Contingency (12%) | $22,992 |
| Total | $214,592 |
What the scopes mean
Cosmetic: paint, flooring, fixtures, lighting and hardware. No walls or systems touched. Mid-level: new kitchen and baths, flooring throughout, some electrical and plumbing updates. Full gut: down to studs: new wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall and every finish.
Older houses cost more per square foot because opening walls reveals knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipes, lead paint or asbestos. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires lead-safe certified contractors on pre-1978 homes, which adds cost.
Which parts pay back?
Not all of that budget comes back at sale. Put your line items into the renovation ROI calculator to see which pay for themselves, or check the ranking. Buying to flip? Use the ARV calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a house?
A cosmetic refresh of a whole house typically costs $15–$40 per square foot, a mid-level renovation $60–$150, and a full gut renovation $150–$300 or more, before regional adjustment.
How much should I budget for surprises?
Hold 10–20% contingency: more for older homes, where wiring, plumbing and structural surprises are common.
What order should renovations happen in?
Structure and roof first, then systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), then insulation and drywall, then kitchens and baths, then flooring, paint and finishes. Outdoor work last.
Is it cheaper to renovate or rebuild?
Renovation is usually cheaper unless the foundation or framing is failing. When gut-renovation estimates approach new-build cost per square foot in your area, rebuilding deserves a quote.