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Renovating or remodeling an existing structure is usually less expensive than the cost to build a new house. That’s because you can save on the costs of new building materials, laying a foundation, framing the entire building, and installing new materials and utilities throughout the house. However, if a home is in very poor condition or is incredibly old, you could spend more on upgrades and restoration compared to building from scratch.

The average cost to renovate or remodel a home is $52,300, with most projects ranging from $19,500 to over $88,400. However, costs can vary significantly, from as low as $3,000 for a small project to $170,000 or more for a complete home remodel.

Several factors influence the total price, including:

• Project Scope and Size: The extent of the renovations, whether it's a single room or the entire house.

• Location: Geographic location affects labor and material costs.

• Materials: The quality of materials chosen.

• Room Type: Kitchen remodels ($14,500 - $70,000+) are generally more expensive than bedroom remodels ($1,500 - $5,500).

• Other Factors: The time of year, complexity of the work, and any additions or expansions.

On a per-square-foot basis, you can expect to pay between $15 and $60 for standard projects and up to $150 for luxury renovations.

Examples of specific project costs include:

• Basement remodel: ~$20,200

• Garage remodel: ~$27,900

• Loft conversion: ~$20,200

• Disability accommodation remodel: ~$4,300

• Major home repairs: ~$11,700

If you are financing the project, note that some loan programs, like the FHA 203(k), may require a minimum project cost (e.g., $5,000) and will necessitate a home appraisal and professional cost estimates. Using a home renovation cost estimator can also help you budget for your project.

The longest part of building a custom home is the design phase. It takes multiple professionals and a ton of work to bring your vision for your dream home to life while sticking to a homebuilding budget and also ensuring everything is built to code. Expect the design phase for a custom home build to take six months to a year.

Whether it’s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it’s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction. 

Most homeowners pay between $100,000 and $200,000 for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average cost to build a new home is between $139,000 and $531,300.