If you’re considering updating your home, the first thing that comes to mind is usually how much it will cost. Home remodeling costs can vary widely depending on the scope of your project, the materials you want to use, and even the age of your home.
As you might expect, whole home remodel costs will be higher than updating a single room. That said, some areas are more expensive to renovate than others, even if the square footage is the same. In this article, we’ll explore the factors affecting your home renovation cost so you can set a budget that works for you.
How Much Does a Home Remodel Cost?
Unfortunately, there’s not an easy answer to this question because no two homes are alike. To get a general idea of how much you’ll need to budget for, you can look at remodeling costs by square foot. In most cases, the larger the area, the higher your home remodeling cost will be.
However, some areas are more expensive to renovate than others, even if the square footage is the same. For example, updating any area of your home with plumbing will cost more per square foot. With that in mind, let’s break down the costs you can expect when remodeling different areas of your home.
Kitchen
An outdated kitchen is often the first thing that inspires people to start a home renovation project. Given that it’s usually a gathering place and focal point, you can make a huge difference in the overall feel of your home just by refreshing this area.
A kitchen remodel can range anywhere from $125,000 to $150,000, or $100 to $250 per square foot. Smaller projects may fall toward the lower end of the scale, but average costs usually start at $125,000 and will increase in price based on design choices.
Kitchen updates tend to be more expensive than other projects because of the many different factors involved. You’ll need to consider the cost of:
- New appliances
- Flooring
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Backsplashes
- New fixtures
- Lighting upgrades
Some of these changes may also require you to upgrade your plumbing or electrical wiring, which can add to your overall home remodeling cost.
With all these factors, a kitchen renovation can feel like a huge undertaking. Our design experts at James Barton Design-Build are here to help you through the entire process of creating the beautiful kitchen you’ve always wanted. Browse through our kitchen portfolio to get inspired.
Bathroom
Like kitchens, bathrooms are another area that can look outdated if you have original fixtures. Because it’s a smaller room, a bathroom is generally a more affordable project.
However, it has a fairly high cost per square foot because materials and fixtures tend to be expensive, and the project will likely involve plumbing. You can expect to pay as much as $250 per square foot, with most projects starting at $35,000 on the low end. Master bathrooms generally start at $70,000, but as with any remodeling project, your cost will depend on the scope and design choices.
Most renovations involve changing the bathroom vanity or cabinetry, as well as updating the shower, tub, lighting, and fixtures. Upgrades like installing tile flooring or walls will push your cost toward the higher end of the scale.
Living Room
If you’re looking for a project with lower home remodeling costs, updating your living space tends to be less expensive per square foot. However, the effect on the overall feel of your home is just as impactful.
Living room renovations cost between $10 to $60 per square foot, substantially less than kitchens or bathrooms. Common upgrades include:
- Updating the flooring.
- Refreshing an outdated fireplace.
- Creating a built-in media center.
- Replacing window treatments.
Like any project, you’ll want to give your budget room for extras. With a living room, this could include buying new furniture, painting, or hiring a pro to remove a popcorn ceiling.
Basement
Home remodeling costs can vary widely when it comes to the lower level of your home. The biggest factor will be whether your basement is finished or unfinished. Remodeling a finished basement can be less expensive in some cases because there’s already a structure to work with.
However, basement renovations often involve expensive updates such as reconfiguring an HVAC system to be more effective, installing new plumbing for a wet bar, or building a home theater.
In an unfinished basement, you’ll want to start with the basics and consider the cost of installing drywall, updating the flooring, and finishing the ceiling. If your home needs mold remediation or has drainage issues, those will need to be addressed first.
Exterior
Like the basement, your budget for renovating the exterior of your home depends on a wide range of factors. You’ll want to start by defining the scope of your project. Do you just want to update your patio? Or do you want to replace your roof, siding, doors, and windows?
If you want to remodel the exterior of your home, we can help you define your project and develop a plan. Contact us today to get started.
What Does a Whole Home Renovation Cost?
When planning a home remodeling project, it’s not uncommon for the scope to start creeping. What starts as a kitchen update might turn into a whole-home project once you begin seeing results. Considering the cost per square foot of each area above will give you a good starting point.
You’ll also want to think about how the renovation will affect your daily life. Extensive remodeling projects can limit your use of your living areas, so you may need to factor in the cost of alternative accommodations during some portions of your renovation.
That said, if you’re considering remodeling more than one area, it’s often easier and more cost-effective to do all your renovations at once. Tackling all your projects simultaneously means you can secure permits, find subcontractors, and deal with other hard expenses all at once. If you were to space your projects out, you would need to start the process all over again.
No matter the scope of your project, you can trust the experts at James Barton Design-Build to help you through every stage in the process. We’ll make sure your renovation aligns with your vision and your budget at every step. Give us a call today to get started.
If you’ve worked with us before, don’t forget that we have a great referral program. For each referral that results in a signed contract, you will receive a 1% reward upon payment of the contract.
