How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a House in 2023?

Renovating a House by Size

The most significant variable in your renovation’s price tag is the size of the space. It can range from $10 to $60 per square foot, but that estimate can shoot up to around $150 per square foot if you choose high-end materials and top-of-the-line appliances.

Renovating a House by Room

You can split the rooms in your house into two categories: wet and dry rooms. Wet rooms are rooms with water running to them, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or utility rooms. They tend to take up more of your renovation budget than dry rooms. 

Dry rooms include bedrooms and living areas and typically need just painting and flooring. One exception is if your space has a fireplace. A new fireplace installation can range between $900 and $3,700. Below, we'll detail some of the most popular renovations by room type and give you a sense of what your budget will buy you.

Bathroom

Bathroom remodeling projects come with a wide range of prices, depending on the type of cabinets, counters, and fixtures you choose. The price tag can increase significantly if you change its footprint, which can require permits, an architect, and moving supply lines or drain lines.

“To save money, we always advise our clients to try to keep the bathroom footprint, meaning keep the fixtures in the same place,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board Member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “If you don’t have to move the supply lines or drain lines, you can literally reduce your budget by 50%.”

Here’s a breakdown of what different bathroom elements can cost:

Kitchen

Kitchen remodels cost about $5,000 to $65,000 or more. Here are some examples of common kitchen renovation project types. 

• Small: $5,000–$30,000; upgrading lighting, faucets, paint, and trim; adding budget-friendly backsplashes and counter extensions; knocking down non-load-bearing walls

• Mid-range: $30,000–$65,000; upgrading appliances and floors; adding a tile backsplash, cabinets, and moderately priced counters

• High-end: $65,000+; adding custom cabinetry, stone, or granite counters; installing high-end Energy Star appliances, overhead lighting, hardwood flooring, and a new sink with a faucet

When remodeling or renovating your kitchen, three major elements impact your cost: cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Below are general costs for each.

• Cabinet costs per linear foot:

  • Stock: $100–$300

  • Semi-custom: $150–$650

  • Custom: $500–$1,200

  • Refinished: $1,400–$3,500 (total)

• Countertop costs by material:

  • 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

If you’re doing a full kitchen renovation, here’s where you’re likely to spend your money.

Bedroom 

Bedrooms make budget-friendly renovation projects since the costs average between $1,500 to $5,500. They typically only need paint and flooring, although structural changes such as an add-on might need an architect and permits. These projects can become more complicated and expensive if you plan on converting an attic or basement into a bedroom, with these larger projects costing up to $40,000. 

Living Room

Generally, the cost to remodel a living room is $10 to $60 per square foot. A simple DIY job will likely cost less, while a high-end custom remodel is likely to run you well above $60 per square foot. 

Remodeling a living room is a project with a lot of variables. While some people want to add a fresh coat of paint, some attractive new window treatments, and a couple of stylish but practical storage units, others undertake a larger project. Adding new electrical outlets or light fixtures, installing new windows, and laying new flooring can quickly result in a hefty project price. Here are some remodeling tasks and their associated costs to budget for:

Basement 

Basement remodels cost $12,300 to $33,300, with some projects going over $40,000. You can expect to pay between $100 and $300 per square foot for this project.

Depending on the condition of the area and house plan, a basement remodel can be a massive job. Installing flooring, building walls, adding electrical or plumbing, and furnishing the room will contribute to the remodel price. One of the most expensive remodeling options would be adding a bathroom to the basement since this would require hiring a plumber, adding plumbing lines, and purchasing the fixtures needed.

Attic

The typical cost to finish an attic bedroom is $40,000. You may pay as little as $12,000 or over $70,000. An attic conversion allows you to utilize unused space to its greatest potential. Instead of building new additions horizontally, which can also eat up valuable lawn and garden areas, renovating vertically is an easy way to develop pre-existing square footage into suitable living spaces.

Cost differences are based on the size of the space and whether you're remodeling an attic that's already a living space or if you're completely renovating and finishing a bare-bones attic space. Including a bathroom as part of the bedroom suite will also increase the overall cost.

Garage

Garage renovation costs depend on the project’s complexity and range from $3,000 to more than$30,000. Most homeowners spend around $11,000 if they renovate a full two-car garage with new cabinet storage and floor coating. 

Exterior

These updates cost between $5,000 to $15,000 on average. Here are some of the most popular exterior remodels and their average cost:

• Home exterior painting price: $1,800–$4,400

• Landscape installation cost: $1,400–$5,700

• Exterior door price: $1,150

• Window installation cost: $6,250

• Deck railing price: $450–$8,800

House Entryway 

The entrance is more than just your front door. Your walkways, landscaping, lighting, and front porch are all part of that first impression. They can make a huge impact without breaking the bank. For a small entryway, you’ll spend about $1,030 to $1,250, and for a medium one, it’ll be about $2,570 and $3,120. For a large foyer remodel, the price tag is anywhere from $8,880 to $10,780 or more. 

Other Home Renovation Cost Factors

When you get estimates from potential contractors, it's important to discuss all the potential extras that could contribute to the project's overall price. Here are some things to consider:

• Labor 

• Permits

• Home additions

• Changing a floor plan

• Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC

• Updating appliances

Labor 

Labor costs for house renovation range widely from $20 to $150 per hour or more. You’ll also need to know the following pro rates:

• General contractor fees: 10%–20% of the total project

• Architect fees: $125–$250 per hour

• Interior designer fees: $50–$200 per hour

• Kitchen designer rates: $65–$250 per hour

• Painter rates: $20–$50 per hour

• Plumber rates: $45–$200 per hour

• Electrician rates: $50–$100 per hour

• HVAC technician fees: $50–$150 per hour

• Landscape designer fees: $50–$150 per hour

Permits

For small projects in a bathroom or kitchen, a permit could range between $50 and $300. Meanwhile, building permits cost between $400 to $1,800. You’ll need to check with your local authorities prior to starting a house remodeling project to determine which permits you’ll need. Most authorities will require one to make sure everything is done according to building codes. You’ll often need a permit for:

• New constructions

• Additions

• Major renovations

• Structural changes

• Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work

Home Additions

Building a home addition costs $22,500 to $80,100 on average but can range anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000, with homeowners spending an average of $49,600. This depends on the extent of the addition and the finish materials you choose. Different rooms may require different materials or components, making rooms with plumbing more expensive to add compared to a primary bedroom or sunroom.

Changing a Floor Plan

If your house renovation plans include an addition, changing stairs, or knocking down a load-bearing wall, consult a local structural engineer. Structural engineers cost between $350 to $750 and can ensure your plans are safely and securely completed. 

Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC

There are many options available when choosing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. HVAC units are between $500 to $7,200 or more. The more popular brands include Amana, American Standard, Carrier, Coleman, and Lennox and will cost anywhere from $1,900 to $4,900. Other common tasks and average costs associated with your in-home climate control options are as follows:

• Central air installation costs: $3,800–$7,600

• Furnace installation costs: $2,800–$6,800

• Heat pump installation costs: $4,200–$7,500

• Insulation installation costs: $1,400–$6,300

• Replacing ducts and vents costs: $500–$2,100

• Solar panel installation costs: $18,000–$34,500

Updating Appliances

Appliances cost anywhere from $200 to $10,000 or more. When it comes to appliances, you have a lot to consider. While the prices 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 Energy Star appliances can ultimately save you money on your energy bills.

Stainless steel remains popular amongst homeowners, and other stainless-finish options include smudge-resistant slate, black, white, and ivory. If you’re looking for a kitchen to pop, consider adding an appliance in a fun color. The following list includes estimated prices based on appliance categories:

• Basic/discount: $100–$2,000, depending on the number of features

• High-end store-bought: $300–$5,000

• Energy Star: $200–$3,500

• Custom built-in: $1,000–$10,000

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

Hire a local general contractor for certain projects because of how complicated those tasks are and how costly mistakes can be. Hiring a pro for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC projects is also advisable unless you have expertise in these areas yourself. However, there are some updates most DIY enthusiasts can tackle, including updating flooring with laminate or vinyl or painting, to save some costs.