
Accessory dwelling units can be a smart investment, but your ADU cost will depend on the size, type, and materials you choose. Here’s how it breaks down.
Remodeling a home costs $52,000 on average, and the range often spans between $19,000 and $88,000, depending on the scope of the project.
Remodeling your home can cost anywhere from $15 to $150 per square foot.
Your final bill largely depends on the type of room and the extent of the remodel.
Aside from a general contractor, many remodeling projects also require electricians, plumbers, and other professionals.
Remodeling projects have a high return on investment—sometimes between 60% and 100%, depending on the project.
When you moved into your home, you probably saw a better future for each room—the spare bedroom converted into an office, the bathroom updated with a walk-in shower, and the kitchen changed into an open-concept design. These dreams are often achievable, but they require an investment. Whole house remodels cost $52,000 on average, but they can range from $3,000 to $225,000, depending on the project scope and other factors. For a clear path forward, a local remodeling professional can provide a personalized quote.
Home renovations aim to refresh a room with cosmetic upgrades, while remodels involve rebuilding or changing the purpose of a room. Naturally, it costs less to remodel one room than the entire home. The square footage also matters, with larger rooms costing more to upgrade.
Here’s a breakdown of the average remodeling cost based on room type:
Room Type | Average Cost | Average Cost Range |
---|---|---|
Bathroom | $12,000 | $6,600–$18,000 |
Kitchen | $27,000 | $15,00–$42,000 |
Basement | $22,000 | $12,000–$35,000 |
Garage | $18,000 | $7,000–$30,000 |
Living room | $8,000 | $2,500–$15,000 |
Bedroom | $20,000 | $12,000–$28,000 |
Dining room | $20,000 | $7,000–$25,000 |
Laundry room | $11,000 | $6,000–$17,000 |
Attic | $20,000 | $7,500–$35,000 |
Exterior | $10,500 | $5,000–$30,000 |
Basic bathroom remodels cost anywhere from $2,500 to $30,000. Your final bill depends on what you’re planning to tackle, whether it’s flooring, fixtures, paint, or countertops. Large remodels that relocate the plumbing or electrical will raise the rate—sometimes to $80,000 or more. Bathroom remodel costs also fall on the higher end if you choose luxury materials like custom cabinetry, radiant floor heating, or a grand walk-in shower.
The cost of a kitchen remodel varies greatly, but it averages $26,974. If you’re doing a minor kitchen remodel (which costs $10,000 to $20,000), you’ll need to set your priorities. For example, you can either reface or refinish the cabinetry, upgrade your countertops, or replace your appliances.
Complete kitchen remodels can cost $65,000 to $130,000 or more, and they might involve changing the layout, knocking out a wall, installing high-end materials, adding an island, and replacing your cabinets.
If your finished basement isn’t stuffed to the floorboards as a storage space, you might remodel it to add usable square footage. On average, basement remodels cost $22,800, but the range often spans from $3,250 to $56,000, depending on size, materials, and how you’re intending to use the space. You’ll probably need to hire multiple pros, including a general contractor, plumber, and electrician.
You can convert a garage into bedrooms, a living room, a workspace, a home gym, or a utility room—the possibilities are nearly endless. On average, homeowners spend $7,000 to $30,000 on this project, with an average cost of $18,000. The biggest factors affecting garage remodel costs are square footage, type of remodel, and added utilities (such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC).
The average living room remodel cost is $8,000. If you want an easy cosmetic upgrade, your bill could be as low as $500. But if you’re looking for a large-scale remodel—complete with added storage, updated electrical components, new floors, a fresh paint job, and window treatments—expect to spend upward of $40,000.
Like other projects, bedroom remodel costs largely depend on the scope. The price will increase for larger rooms, luxury materials, and add-ons like a built-in wardrobe. Expect to spend between $12,000 and $28,000, with an average cost of $20,000.
Planning to demolish your dining room to the studs for a complete remodel? You’ll likely spend $25,000 or more, whereas a simple cosmetic project might cost $7,000 or less. The average cost of a dining room remodel is $20,000.
Homeowners should budget around $11,000 for laundry room remodel costs. Simply updating paint and appliances might cost as little as $1,800. On the other hand, changing the layout, opting for high-end appliances, or adding custom finishes can raise your final bill to $40,000 or more.
If you’re budgeting for attic finishing costs, consider the project scope. Adding storage solutions will be less expensive than converting the attic into living space. The most costly aspects will be electric work, plumbing, and HVAC. Expect to spend an average of $20,000 for attic finishing, though projects often range between $7,500 and $35,000.
Homeowners spend an average of $10,500 on exterior remodeling costs. Potential projects include siding replacement, new windows, roof replacement, landscaping, and exterior painting.
The type of project has the biggest influence on home remodeling costs, but other factors also play a role. These include accessibility, materials, location, and demolition.
Are you planning to tear out old walls, flooring, cabinetry, or fixtures? Demolition is labor-intensive, and it requires skilled professionals to do it safely and efficiently. The extent of the prep work will influence your project's final budget.
For a major home remodel, expect to spend an average of $500 to $2,500 on building permit costs, though fees can fluctuate based on location and project scope. Your contractor will handle the permitting process for you, and the cost will be included in their final quote.
Remodeling your home can cost anywhere from $15 to $150 per square foot. If you choose luxury materials, you’ll approach the upper end of the price range. As an example, a porcelain tile shower might cost $2 to $30 per square foot, while a cultured marble shower can set you back $40 to $65 per square foot.
If your contractor needs to access hard-to-reach areas, such as tall ceilings or narrow stairwells, your labor costs may increase. Navigating ladders, scaffolding, or confined spaces can make tasks more time-consuming and dangerous.
The location of your home plays a role in remodeling costs. That’s because labor rates, material costs, and living expenses vary between regions. Expect to pay more if you live in a major metropolitan area versus a rural one.
Unexpected costs often pop up during remodel projects. For example, if you have an older home, the electrical and plumbing systems might need to be replaced, which can add thousands to the budget. Some homes might also hide water damage, rot, mold, asbestos, lead paint, or structural problems.
Here’s what you might pay for remediating unforeseen problems:
Water damage restoration: $1,400–$6,400
Mold remediation: $1,200–$3,800
Asbestos removal: $1,200–$3,200
Lead paint removal: $1,500–$5,500
Structural problems: $2,200–$8,100
Upgrading electrical panel: $1,200–$2,000
Replacing old plumbing: $1,500–$15,000
Most contractors include basic cleanup in their initial quote. If you want to ensure the dirt and dust are gone, however, you might hire a professional post-construction cleaning service. This often ranges between $275 and $710.
About 40% to 60% of your home remodel budget will go toward labor. A home remodeling professional near you can provide accurate quotes for your project.
Many homeowners hire a general contractor to handle their home remodeling project. These professionals manage planning, permits, demo, design, inspections, and everything in between—and they’ll also bring the right subcontractors to complete certain aspects of the job. General contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour, though it’s more common to set rates on a per-project basis.
If you’re planning electrical work—such as rewiring a house, installing new outlets, putting up a ceiling fan, or upgrading your electric panel—you need an electrician for your home remodel. The cost of an electrician is $50 to $130 per hour, depending on their expertise and your location.
If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, you might hire a plumber. These professionals can replace faucets and fixtures, reroute plumbing, install new toilets, fix leaky pipes, add a shower, and much more. Expect to pay $50 to $150 per hour for plumber costs.
Other professionals might also be necessary, depending on the scope of your remodel.
HVAC technician: $100–$250 per hour
Flooring specialist: $1,530–$4,850
Drywall installer: $990–$3,210
Window installer: $300–$2,500 per window
Professional painter: $400–$1,600 per room
Structural engineer: $345–$775
Interior designer: $2,055–$15,210
When planning your project, you’ve probably heard the terms "renovation" and "remodel," but they actually mean different things. A home renovation focuses on updating the existing room without fundamentally changing its layout or purpose. Renovations include cosmetic updates like new flooring, countertops, light fixtures, or paint colors.
On the other hand, remodeling involves altering the structure and design of a room. The changes are usually more extensive, such as changing the layout, removing walls, relocating plumbing, adding features like a kitchen island, and converting unfinished rooms into living space.
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between home renovations and remodels:
Renovation | Remodel |
---|---|
Costs less | Costs more |
Aims to restore or refresh a room | Aims to rebuild or change the purpose of a room |
Involves cosmetic improvements and minor updates | Involves structural, functional, or layout changes |
Examples include updated painting, flooring, and fixtures | Examples include moved walls, home additions, and rerouted plumbing or electrical |
Permit not always required | Permit is often required |
DIY-friendly in many cases | Likely requires a professional |
Labor makes up 40% to 60% of your home remodel cost. The average homeowner could save thousands by taking on a DIY job, and they’ll only pay for materials.
That said, doing a home remodel yourself isn’t advisable. These major projects often require working with structural, electrical, and plumbing systems. Making mistakes can set you back thousands of dollars—and they can also be downright dangerous, both for yourself and your home.
Professionals produce quality work in a shorter time period. They also have the necessary skills and experience to complete the job without complications. If you’re looking to remodel your home, reach out to a home remodeling professional near you for a quote.
Remodels are a major expense, but you can still save money on your project. Here are some cost-cutting tips:
Consider DIYing certain aspects of the project, such as painting, installing a backsplash, tearing out old carpeting, or swapping light fixtures.
Opt for mid-range materials instead of luxury ones. Stay away from the least expensive options, as you may notice lower quality.
Limit the amount of customizations in your remodel.
Get quotes from at least three contractors to find the best rate.
Consider refinishing cabinets or flooring instead of replacing them.
Handle the post-construction cleanup yourself.
Home remodeling projects often increase home value—sometimes by 60% to more than 100%—but the exact return on investment (ROI) depends on the project. The key is choosing remodels with a broad appeal that align with the value of the home and its surrounding neighborhood.
Here’s the average ROI for several different home remodeling projects:
Remodel Project | Average ROI |
---|---|
Bathroom remodel | 73% |
Kitchen remodel | 96% |
Living room remodel | 50% |
Finishing basement | 70% |
Finishing attic | 60% |
New flooring | 70% |
Interior paint job | 107% |
Window replacement | 65% |
Adding a new bedroom | 65% |
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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