Remodeling Costs
What Does A Typical Remodeling Project Cost When Done Correctly And In A Quality Manner?
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little – that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done!
If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.”
John Ruskin (1819-1900) – English art critic and writer
We prefer to be very frank and forthright with all of our clients about the possible costs of their projects before we even get started. Simply put… it leads to happier clients.
While every remodeling project is different, we can help you determine a general budget range for many common projects based on what similar remodeling projects have cost in the past.
However, there are several factors which impact the final cost of any project. Such as quality of materials, site conditions, accessibility, age of your home, specific design tastes, finishes, updating existing systems, etc… just to name a few.
The following cost ranges should assist in helping you effectively plan your remodeling project. Sometimes projects do cost a little less than the figures used below but we feel it’s better to plan for the higher figures just to be safe.
KEEP IN MIND THESE TIMELESS AND COMMON LAWS OF ECONOMICS:
- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
- YOU’LL FORGET ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU PAID LONG BEFORE YOU’LL FORGET ABOUT A POOR QUALITY JOB.
Typical Budget Ranges
Click on each project type below to see a description of what each budget range might include.
- Additions:$300 - $500 per square foot and up
- Basic Kitchen Update:$45,000 -$65,000 and up
- Basic Kitchen Remodel:$50,000 - $85,000 and up
- Major Kitchen Remodel:$80,000 - $110,000 and up
- Basic Bathroom Remodel:$15,000 - $20,000 and up
- Complete Bathroom Remodel:$30,000 - $45,000 and up
- Master Bathroom Remodel:$50,000 - $70,000 and up
- Basic Bathroom Addition:$60,000 - $80,000 and up
- Upgraded Bathroom Addition:$75,000 - $90,000 and up
- Entry Door Replacements:$4,000 -$8,000 and up
- Basements:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
- Finished Attics:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
- Decks:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
- Replacement Windows (Marvin or Andersen):$1,800 - $3,000 per unit and up
- All-Fiberglass or Composite Replacement Windows:$1,500 - $2,500 per unit and up
- Entry Door Replacements:$4,000 to $8,000 and up
- Patio Doors:$6,000 to $10,000 and up
- Skylights & Roof Windows:$4,000 - $6,000 per unit and up
- Porches:$250 to $300 per square foot and up
- Garages:$75,000 to $100,000 and up
- Carports:$25,000 - $40,000 and up
Additions:$300 - $500 per square foot and up
Generally speaking larger and more open spaces are less per square foot than smaller spaces. Building a two-story home addition is generally less per square foot than building a single story because the space shares the same roof and foundation. (Count both floors when calculating square footage of added space if second floor is to be finished or partially finished). Any portion of the existing home that is affected and/or gets remodeled (among other things) has a large impact on the total investment.
Basic Kitchen Update:$45,000 -$65,000 and up
If the layout of your kitchen is essentially okay, you may only want to replace your cabinets, countertops, sink and flooring. Add a fresh coat of paint to the walls and ceiling and maybe a new tiled backsplash. Basically everything would stay close to or in the same location. Appliances not included.
Basic Kitchen Remodel:$50,000 - $85,000 and up
Your kitchen may be in need of a more extensive renovation involving relocating some of the appliances and sink. Included in this would be a new layout design, updated electrical and lighting on existing circuitry, new cabinets, crown moulding, countertops, new flooring and paint, tiled backsplash and under cabinet lighting. Existing plaster or drywall would remain mostly intact. Appliances not included.
Major Kitchen Remodel:$80,000 - $110,000 and up
A complete kitchen remodeling may include extensive renovation involving completely “gutting” your kitchen; removing everything including the wall and ceiling finishes, removing some walls to “open up” the space. In addition to a new design/layout, also included would be all new electrical, lighting and plumbing within the kitchen, new wall and ceiling finishes, tile or hardwood flooring, custom cabinets and new countertops, tiled backsplash, possibly a new window or two, etc... Appliances not included.
Basic Bathroom Remodel:$15,000 - $20,000 and up
Remove and replace all contents of an average sized, three fixture bathroom including the tub/shower unit, toilet, sink, faucet, tub/shower valve, vanity and vanity top, installing new flooring, new exhaust fan, vanity light and mirror, bathroom accessories, little or no plumbing or electrical work beyond replacing the fixtures. Everything would connect to existing plumbing in existing locations. Most of the wall and ceiling finishes would stay intact but would be freshly painted.
Complete Bathroom Remodel:$30,000 - $45,000 and up
A complete bathroom remodel includes gutting an average sized, three fixture bathroom and replace all contents including new bathtub or custom tiled shower, new toilet, sink, faucet, tub/shower valve, vanity and vanity top, new tile flooring, new paint, new exhaust fan, vanity light and mirror, bathroom accessories, some electrical and plumbing changes, etc.
Master Bathroom Remodel:$50,000 - $70,000 and up
Typically master bathrooms may have two sinks, a bathtub and separate shower. Oftentimes they also are larger with nicer finishes. This type of remodel would be similar in scope to complete bathroom remodel in Ithaca, but with higher-end finishes and fixtures.
Basic Bathroom Addition:$60,000 - $80,000 and up
Basic 6’ x 8’ bathroom addition on a crawl space foundation, one small window or two, electric and plumbing to connect near addition in basement with easy access, easy tie-in to existing home, basic bathroom finishes and fixtures.
Upgraded Bathroom Addition:$75,000 - $90,000 and up
Basically the same as above but larger at 10’ x 12’ with separate shower, whirlpool tub, two sinks, separate room for toilet, linen closet, custom vanity and tops, higher-end finishes and fixtures.
Entry Door Replacements:$4,000 -$8,000 and up
Replacing your front door can dramatically improve both the look and value of your home - an independent study suggests as much as a 5% increase in your home’s perceived value with the right combination. Single entry doors are less than units including sidelights and ornate glazing options. We install quality doors by ThermaTru, Masonite, Simpson, Peachtree and other high quality manufacturers.
Basements:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
Basement remodeling can provide some very nice living space relatively economically when compared to an addition or adding another level. We can transform your basement into a just about any type of space you desire. The three biggest concerns with basements are adequate headroom, moisture control and egress. The more basic the space, the lower your investment will be. Likewise, the more amenities you add like an added bathroom, kitchenette/bar area, added windows and/or doors, higher-end finishes and trim details like coffered ceilings and wall panels, the higher your investment will be.
Finished Attics:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
Attics too can provide some very nice living space relatively economically when compared to an addition or adding another level. Just like basements we can transform your attic into a just about any type of space you desire. Adding some skylights or dormers can really make the space brighter and actually feel larger. The more straightforward spaces cost less than the more complicated spaces. A simple space might include; insulation, electrical/lighting, extend HVAC, adding a skylight or two, drywall, carpeting, trim and painting.
Decks:$75 - $150 per square foot and up
There’s nothing like having a great deck to enjoy relaxing and entertaining outside. There are many materials to choose from. Many decks are constructed using pressure treated yellow pine which holds up well against the moisture. In full sun or for reduced maintenance you may want to consider choosing a composite material. Also you should consider changing the existing grade if it doesn’t drain properly. Cost figures mentioned are based on adding a deck with footings and posts to 48” below grade, PT framing, single to two levels, railings, decking fastened with screws or hidden fasteners, properly flashed where attached to the house, lattice below and stairs to the ground.
Replacement Windows (Marvin or Andersen):$1,800 - $3,000 per unit and up
We can install beautiful, energy efficient, replacement windows from Marvin and Andersen, custom sized for an exact fit. In some situations, we can install these windows within the existing frame without disturbing the interior or exterior trim. They are an excelent alternative to vinyl replacement windows since they come with low-maintenance aluminum, fiberglass, composite, or vinyl clad exterior (in many colors), real wood interior that can be stained or painted to match your existing woodwork and therefore, tend to look more original and authentic.
All-Fiberglass or Composite Replacement Windows:$1,500 - $2,500 per unit and up
Energy efficient fiberglass replacement windows offer an affordable and low maintenance solution to replacing old windows when you don’t need the look of real, authentic wood windows.
Entry Door Replacements:$4,000 to $8,000 and up
Replacing your front door can dramatically improve both the look and value of your home - an independent study suggests as much as a 5% increase in your home’s perceived value with the right combination. Single entry doors are less than units including sidelights and ornate glazing options. We install quality doors by ThermaTru, Masonite, Simpson, Peachtree and other high quality manufacturers.
Patio Doors:$6,000 to $10,000 and up
New patio doors by Marvin or Andersen operate incredibly smoothly compared to the older ones. These door have wood interiors which are stained or painted to match your existing woodwork, and aluminum, fiberglass, composite, or vinyl clad exteriors in many colors to match or coordinate with you home's exterior.
Skylights & Roof Windows:$4,000 - $6,000 per unit and up
We install top quality skylights and roof windows by Velux, and we guarantee they WILL NOT LEAK! Costs are based on creating a new opening in your roof, installation, finishing and painting around the unit. Framing an insulated tunnel through the attic will cost more than if we are installing it in a sloped ceiling. There are a number of other factors that impact the cost as well.
Porches:$250 to $300 per square foot and up
Porches can be very detailed spaces requiring a great deal of time by skilled craftsman. Costs are based on constructing a new “Classic-Style” porch with footings below frost line, posts and/or columns, floor framing and flooring/decking, spindled railings, lattice work, steps, beaded ceilings, lighting, roof framing, roofing, tie into existing house (rocking chair not included).
Garages:$75,000 to $100,000 and up
Basic 2-car garage with a new slab or frost-wall foundation, wood framed walls, truss roof system, basic siding and exterior trim, windows, entry door, garage doors with openers, electrical and lighting system to code, walls and ceilings finished.
Carports:$25,000 - $40,000 and up
Some carports can be very basic and some can be quite intricate. Regardless, all carports require careful design in order to maintain structural integrity and still look like they “belong there”. We can design a carport that fits your functional and aesthetic needs.