Home renovation cost estimator

Kukun's home renovation cost estimator is a useful tool to help you calculate your remodeling costs and the ROI of home improvement projects instantly. The calculations are based on your zip code as well as relevant parameters that affect the total house renovation cost.

Simply enter your specifications and the result will give you a realistic estimate of your total home remodel cost in minutes.

Some of the project costs that can be estimated include:

• Kitchen renovation
• Bathroom remodel
• Popcorn ceiling removal
• Window replacement
• Air conditioning installation
• Recessed lighting
• Garage installation
• Game Room
• In Law Suite
• Foyer-Entryway
• Dining Room
• Family Room
• Home Theater

Getting an estimate through Kukun’s home remodel cost estimator is easy. Just follow the steps below to get your personalized total remodel cost in less than a minute! Here are some general steps with their options:

Step 1: Project Selection
Choose the project/projects you want to estimate the cost for. The home renovation calculator will estimate the cost of each project and the return on your renovation investment. You can choose up to eight projects per calculation (You’ll be able to add more at the results page)

Step 2: Remodel information
We’ll ask you questions about the current state of the area you want to renovate, as well as the options you want to add.

Step 3: Additional information
With either your address or your zip code (The address will provide a more accurate result), we can combine the information you have supplied with our data algorithm to cover all the aspects of your remodeling project. We consider different external factors such as neighborhood location and gentrification around your home.

Step 4: Results section
After doing the calculations, we’ll provide you with a full result section where you’ll be able to see all the different aspects of your remodel, as well as the ROI/recoup value of your property along with the renovation cost estimate.

One of the many new cool features of the Costimator, after the calculations are done, you can easily adapt your remodel results if you want to add more luxury to your project, or if you want to focus on adding the most value to your property.

And of course, the Find A Contractor feature will connect you to the best contractors in your area that can help you make your dream project a reality, as well as financing options according to your needs.

Step 5: The detailed report
After you are satisfied with the results of your home remodel estimate, you can download a full report that will dive even further into the details, here you’ll see everything from materials and labor costs to a detailed cost description of each of the steps. You can also save your plan in case you want to revisit it later.

You will get an accurate estimate for all your remodeling projects. You can even run scenarios with your selections to arrive at a figure that best meets your budget.

With this estimate, you can analyze your finance options and apply for a loan by comparing offers from our trusted lending partners.

We offer you options for professional remodeling contractors near you, ranked by the Kukun reliability score. You can conveniently explore each contractor's profile, check out their online reviews, and view all their previous permits and type of work.

Whether you are stripping walls, adding square footage or simply upgrading your home, your first step is to estimate the budget of your planned renovation.

On average, home renovation costs vary between $18,000 to $70,000, with larger projects costing $150,000 or more. However, the actual overall cost of your house renovation project will vary according to a lot of factors.

Your final cost will depend on several factors, including the number of rooms and the total square feet, the size of these rooms, the current condition of your property, material and local labor charges, your zip code, the scope of your renovation, etc.

For example, a bathroom remodel cost can range from $8,000 to $38,000 for a small bathroom with dimensions around 5 feet x 11 feet. For a large master bathroom with dimensions around 10 feet x 12 feet, your renovation cost can be between $12,000 to $58,000, depending on how much you upgrade, where you live and the cost of materials you choose.

Keep in mind that since older homes typically have outdated plumbing and electrical wiring, it will make the remodel more costly and time-consuming. Also, the cost per square foot increases for bigger houses as average quality is typically very high.

Here are some tips to make the process easy and quick:

• Organize your renovation with thorough research in terms of all the requirements. Collect as much information from your neighbors and friends as possible.

• Set a realistic home remodeling budget. Always include leeway for some surprise costs. Experts believe that you should add 20% extra to the existing price range, but if you stay withing the Kukun recommended costs, you should be ok.

• Consult your calendar. Set an end date and work your way backward.

• Plan your home remodeling during an off-season. Avoiding the spring and summer rushes will be kinder on your wallet.

• Work only with expert contractors who you trust. A professional finish goes a long way in adding to the beauty and value of your home.

• Know which tasks you can safely tackle, and which should be handled by the pros, such as adding or removing a potentially load-bearing wall, or dealing with asbestos or lead paint.

• Keep in mind that your contractor should have expertise in all areas of home remodeling: construction, plumbing, electrical and lighting.

• Always ask for references. Don’t rely solely on client testimonials, instead, talk to actual customers who can give you their firsthand accounts and answer all your questions.

• Always check your local building code for permit requirements as well as building inspections. Generally, structural, electrical, and plumbing changes require permits.

• Make your house remodel as simple as possible. Declutter, pack up and move any items away from the renovation zone during the process.

• Ensure the safety of your kids, elderty family members and pets.

• Plan for power and plumbing outages in advance. Your remodeling might require you to shut the water and/or electricity off.

• Choose quality materials for the project even if they come at a higher price. There will be less repair work in the future.

• Get a written contract from your contractor with a warranty or guarantee, details of the complete schedule, deadlines for milestones and the payment process.

• Maintain a timeline in order to manage a seamless job.

Most renovations, whether large-scale or small, add value to a property. Even if you do partial updates, such as replacing kitchen cabinets or painting the kitchen walls, instead of undertaking an entire kitchen remodel, it can increase your home’s value significantly.

When it comes to remodeling projects, you should aim at getting at least 65% return on your investment (ROI), and work with the Costimator to get 100% or more back on your investment. A good way to begin your home remodeling journey is to consult an experienced local realtor, as they have a pulse on your neighborhood, what buyers really want, and they also know good designers. Then come back to Kukun’s Costimator, as we take into account that returns on investment vary depending on the local real estate market, and the specific neighborhood.

Whether you’re giving a makeover to an investment property or your own dream home, it’s a smart move to invest in remodels that have the highest ROI. Home improvement projects that greatly increase the curb appeal and functionality of the house, are generally the most value-enhancing.

Bathroom and kitchen remodeling give one of the highest return on investment -- From 70% to 125% of what you spend. According to the National Builders Association, a half bathroom addition can boost the value of an average house by 10.5% while a full bathroom addition can boost the house value by 20%.

In terms of exterior remodeling, siding replacement and home roof replacement bring in the highest ROI. Replacing old siding can get you up to 85% ROI while a new roof can add as much as 109% ROI.

Replacing windows and doors, yard landscaping, and deck installation are a close second with 70% to 105% ROI.

In terms of interior remodeling, a fresh coat of paint on the walls is one of the most effective ways to boost the value and appeal of your property. That can be done without spending too much.

Other remodeling projects to consider are finishing the basement, attic conversion, and building a garage. Interestingly, updating the internal systems of your house, including plumbing system, heating and cooling, and sewage system can significantly improve your home value.

How much you spend on your home renovation project depends on the condition of the house, additions you want, and what’s comparable to your neighborhood values. It’s a good idea to invest enough to match your lifestyle requirements. You also need to keep your home’s value close to the values of the surrounding homes.

So, when it comes to budgeting for a renovation, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement. Keep in mind that an expensive remodel that costs tens of thousands of dollars might not bring a high ROI. Kukun’s home renovation calculator will help you with your budgeting and cost factors.

DO NOT spend more than what the room is worth when compared to the overall house value. For example, a kitchen’s value is 15% of the total house value. So, you shouldn’t spend more than $50,000 on a complete kitchen remodel if your home value is around $350,000. A master bathroom is worth 10% of the total house value. So, don’t spend more than $40,000 on a complete bathroom remodel.

A small bathroom or a powder room is valued at 5% of the total house value. A room addition is valued at the price of the square footage of the total home value, so if you can build for less than the selling price per square foot, you are ahead. A finished attic and finished basement are worth 10% to 15% of the total house value. A new roof is typically worth 4% of the house value and doesn’t warrant a renovation cost of more than $10,000 to 40,000.

It’s quite natural for homeowners, undertaking a whole house renovation, to wonder where to begin their remodeling from. The answer to that depends on the extent of damage, your remodeling budget, the scope of the renovation, your time frame, and whether you're renovating to sell your house or want to live there for years to come.

Here are a few guidelines to help your get started on a remodeling plan:

The first step is to fix all the problem areas of your house after a thorough home inspection. Address serious issues such as a leaky roof, mold and mildew, water damage, broken windows, a non-functional furnace or water heater, or any other structural problem.

Next, improve the look and functionality of your new home. Tackle a bathroom or kitchen renovation at this stage.

If you’re strapped for cash, consider just cosmetic updates such as adding a fresh coat of paint, replacing bathroom or kitchen sinks and hardware, refacing cabinets, adding crown moldings and good lighting.

Consider replacing your existing flooring in the entire home or of rooms that witness a lot of foot traffic.

Make your home more green and energy efficient -- perhaps by using an energy efficient roof like a metal roof, solar panels, new windows, insulation, and energy efficient kitchen appliances.

Install new siding, add new landscaping, build a deck, or add an outdoor patio.

If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your home, you can install radiant heat flooring, a swimming pool or a Jacuzzi tub.

A whole house renovation can take anywhere from two to eight months. Of course, the exact timeline depends on the scope of work, the availability of supplies, the availability of sub-contrctors, and more. Your general contractor will be able to give you a specific timeline.

Looking for a licensed professional? Let Kukun help you hire the best.

How much you spend on remodeling per square foot depends on the level of remodel you want. Needless to say, a low-end reno will cost you a lot less than a mid-range or a luxury renovation.

In the case of regular rooms, such as a home office, bedroom, or living room -- the remodeling cost per square foot is $20 to $35. A bathroom remodel costs between $80 to $220 per square foot. A kitchen remodel is even more expensive at $90 to $250 per square foot.

High-end whole-house remodel costs can go as high as $200 to $300 per square foot. The cost of fully gutting and remodeling a house ranges between $100 and $200 per square foot as it involves demolition work, structural and foundation work, as well as construction permits and dump fees. For a 2,000 square feet home, a gut remodel will cost a minimum of $100,000.

Completely remodeling a 3-bedroom house can cost you $25,000 to $150,000 -- depending on what needs to be done. It’s possible to renovate parts of your house for less than $50,000. The total cost will depend on the room's location, the type of room it is, and the cost of materials and labor. A DIY project instead of hiring professionals can decrease the costs even more. This is where a remodel cost estimator helps you create a feasible budget according to these factors.

The cost of a whole house renovation, for a 2,000 to 2,500 square feet house, starts at around $50,000 to $100,000, depending on where you live. This amount can give you all the major improvements. If you go a step up at $125,000, you may be able to include a full kitchen and bathroom renovation, higher end flooring, new windows, siding, roof, and a new deck.

A word of advice though, while considering quantity vs quality, always choose quality materials as they will last you longer.

Here’s a look at the average remodeling cost estimates based on house sizes: