What common remodels cost, U.S. average Estimate
The planner compares your budget with these reference projects. Each is a specific size and scope from the matching guide, so you can open the guide and scale it to your home.
| Project | Low – high Estimate | Typical Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz countertops (35 sq ft) | $2,600 – $4,400 | $3,500 |
| Interior painting, whole house (2,000 sq ft) | $6,000 – $10,500 | $8,500 |
| Cabinet refacing (30 linear ft) | $5,000 – $13,100 | $9,000 |
| Window replacement, 10 vinyl windows | $4,300 – $12,300 | $9,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion, tiled walk-in | $4,900 – $13,600 | $9,300 |
| Vinyl siding (1,250 sq ft of wall) | $7,200 – $15,000 | $10,000 |
| Roof replacement, asphalt (2,000 sq ft) | $8,000 – $19,000 | $12,000 |
| Deck, pressure-treated wood (320 sq ft) | $10,900 – $17,300 | $14,400 |
| Bathroom remodel, full, same layout (40 sq ft) | $17,500 – $41,000 | $25,000 |
| Basement finishing, open plan (800 sq ft) | $16,000 – $31,200 | $26,000 |
| Kitchen remodel, full, same layout (150 sq ft) | $26,300 – $52,500 | $37,500 |
| Room addition (400 sq ft) | $52,000 – $78,000 | $66,000 |
Estimate Our blended ranges from each guide, rounded to $100, before contingency. Sources are cited on each guide; see How we build our ranges.
How the planner works
- Hold back a contingency. We divide your budget by 1 plus the contingency, so the reserve is a share of the project cost. With $30,000 and 15%, about $26,087 goes to the project and about $3,913 stays in reserve.
- Adjust for where you live. Each project's low, typical and high cost is multiplied by the right factor for your location: interior, roofing, exterior or additions, from our regional index or our metro factors.
- Sort and label. Projects are sorted from least to most expensive where you live. If the typical cost fits, it's marked “Fits”; if only the low end fits, it's a “Stretch”; otherwise it's “Over budget”.
Getting more out of a fixed budget
- Size matters. The reference projects have fixed sizes. A smaller kitchen or deck costs less; use the cost per square foot calculator to price your actual size.
- Mix and match. Two smaller projects can beat one big one. Add their typical costs and keep the total under your budget after contingency.
- Check the gap. If the project you want is a stretch, the affordability checker shows what financing the difference would cost each month.
- Compare bids line by line. Our bid comparison guide shows what a fair bid includes for each of these projects.
Contractor Bid Comparison Sheet
When bids arrive, line up three of them apples-to-apples and spot what's missing before you sign.
Get the templateJust starting? The free Remodel Budget Starter is a one-page budget sheet for any project.
Remodel budget FAQ
What can I remodel for $10,000?
Usually one focused project: interior painting for a modest home, new flooring in a few rooms, or a small bathroom refresh. Enter $10,000 above and choose your location to see which of our reference projects fit.
What can I remodel for $50,000?
Often a full kitchen or bathroom remodel, a roof, or several smaller projects, depending on where you live. Set the budget to $50,000 and your metro to see the list.
Why hold back a contingency from my budget?
Because most remodels uncover something. If your budget is the most you can spend, the project itself has to cost less than that, or a single surprise puts you over.
Why does my city change the results?
Labor and material costs vary by market. We adjust each project with our regional index or, for 25 large metros, our metro factor, which also reflects local construction wages.
More free calculators
Estimate Every result on this page is a Ledger and Lumber estimate for planning, not a quote. Ranges are blended from published cost data cited on each cost guide; see How we build our ranges and how we build metro factors. Get itemized local bids before you commit.