How much does a home remodel cost?

Each type of remodeling project has unique factors affecting what you'll pay, and remodeling costs vary by project. The average cost of a kitchen remodel is different than the cost to remodel a

Below is a comparison of average remodeling costs by common project types:

See our bathroom remodeling cost guide and kitchen remodeling cost guide for details and sourcing for pricing in the tables above.

Average cost of a basement remodel.

While a high-end basement remodel could cost as much as $45,000, most Thumbtack customers across the country report paying $999-$6,319 on average to remodel a basement. The cost to remodel a basement is mostly impacted by what you add to your basement.

Here are cost considerations when budgeting for your basement remodeling project: 

Bathroom.

If you're adding a bathroom to your basement, expect to pay $8,000 or more on average, depending on the size of the new bathroom. That's more than twice the cost of remodeling a small bathroom. Putting a bathroom where there wasn't one before is more expensive because you need to cut open or remove walls to put in plumbing, connect the new bathroom to the main plumbing, and, of course, put in new sinks, showers, toilets, and lay tiles.

Kitchenette.

If you're adding a kitchenette in your basement, you'll need to hire an electrician to run wiring for appliances and you may need a breaker box. Electricians charge an average of $40 to $120 an hour, depending on the specific task. This could also require additional plumbing work.

Flooring.

There's a lot of moisture in a basement that can warp floors or cause them to sag. To prevent basement floors from water damage, you'll need to pay extra to install a moisture absorbing layer of polyethylene before you put down carpet, tile or hardwood floors.

Moisture control and waterproofing.

In addition to that waterproof layer for your floor, you may need to install a sump pump to keep your basement dry. Sump pumps and their installation costs between $300 and $1,397.

Average kitchen remodeling costs.

Kitchen remodels can be expensive. The cost to remodel a kitchen ranges from $28,696-$90,397. However, a kitchen renovation gives homeowners a great return on investment. Upgraded kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances can increase your home's resale value. Not to mention, you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of your redone room.

These are the factors the affect what you'll pay for a Pinterest-worthy kitchen remodel:

Cabinets.

Refacing, refinishing, or even replacing your kitchen cabinets is a game changer. New kitchen cabinets will make the most dramatic impact on the room's appearance, but they're also a significant part of the budget. On average, they account for 30% of a homeowner's kitchen remodel costs.

That percentage varies widely based on the type of cabinets you choose. New kitchen cabinets range from $80 per cabinet for off-the-shelf stock cabinets to $200 per cabinet for semi-custom to $1,000 per cabinet for custom cabinets made just for your space.

Refacing cabinets, which involves putting new veneers on your cabinet boxes, is a money-saving option, with costs starting at $1,000 for the entire kitchen.

Kitchen island.

A kitchen island costs $6,000 on average, depending on whether you go with a custom or stock unit and whether or not it has appliances or a sink and garbage disposal in it. However, this super popular feature will require you to move plumbing and electrical wiring, which adds labor costs.

Countertops.

Estimate using about 10% of your remodeling budget on countertops, depending on the material you choose. Prices for new countertops range from $11 to $200 per square foot for high-end granite countertop.

Appliances and fixtures.

Your total kitchen remodel costs also depend on the appliances you choose. For example, a custom built, stainless steel, six-burner gas stove can cost as much as $8,000, while a good old four-burner stainless steel gas stove from a big box store costs just $1,600. And that must-have, beautiful farmhouse sink costs anywhere from $400-$800, more than the price of a basic double-basin stainless steel kitchen sink.

Related: How long does a kitchen remodel cost?

Average bathroom remodeling costs.

If you're adding a bathroom to your basement, expect to pay $28,696-$90,397, on average, to remodel a full bathroom. A half bathroom remodel costs $5,809-$9,604, and a master bathroom remodel averages at $19,974-$59,433. 

Here are some cost factors and features to consider, as they can drive prices up and down:

Showers, tubs, and sinks.

New showers, tubs, and sinks can be the most costly part of a bathroom remodel, depending on the fixtures you choose. A standard bathtub runs as little as $400, while a spa tub starts at $1,500. And a fiberglass shower surround costs an average of $300, while custom tile work can cost more than $3,000.

Tile.

Most homeowners opt for tile flooring and walls when they renovate a bathroom. Prices range from $2 per square foot for ceramic tile to $10 per square foot for glass tile and $25 per square foot for high-end stone tile, not including installation. The national average cost to install tile in a 100-square foot bathroom is $1,991.

Vanity.

New cabinets are key to making a dramatic change in a bathroom remodel. Bathroom vanities range from $500 for stock, off-the-shelf vanities from home improvement centers to $2,500 and up for custom cabinets.

Changing the floor plan.

Making your bathroom larger or moving fixtures will increase the price because you will have to move plumbing and redo tile. Converting a half bath to a full bath, which requires adding a tub/shower unit, which costs an average of $5,000. Replacing a standard tub with a walk-in tub costs an average of $4,000, including installation.

Average room addition costs.

Rooms additions are a complex remodeling job since you're adding square footage to your home, not just altering existing space. Here are some factors that affect how much you'll pay to add a new room to your house:

Type of build.

For a new room addition, there are two different types of builds homeowners could do:

• Building out, which involves adding a room at the ground level of your house, expanding its footprint. It's more expensive because you'll need to pour a new foundation.
• Building up, which involves adding a room to the second story of your house, or even adding an entire second or third story. It's less expensive because it doesn't increase the footprint of your house and you won't need to add on to the foundation.

Type of room.

Adding a bedroom costs $80 to $200 per square foot, while adding a bathroom costs $250 and up per square foot. So adding on a master bedroom would cost $5,600 on average, while adding on a bathroom costs $10,000, on average. Bathroom additions are pricy because they require extensive plumbing and the purchase and installation of fixtures like sinks, toilets, and vanities.

Architectural services.

You'll probably need to hire an architect for an addition so the new construction matches the style of your house, and so you contractor can get the permits he needs to do the work.

Site preparation.

If you're building out, you'll have to get your yard set up to be a construction site. You may need to remove trees or fences and grade the site to make it level. Prepping a construction site costs between $1,200 and $4,000, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done.

Foundation.

If you're building out, you'll need to build a foundation for the addition. For most houses, this means pouring a slab. Pouring a slab concrete foundation costs $1,200-$15,000, depending on the size and the type of foundation.

HVAC installation.

You'll need to hire pros to install ducts connecting your new living space to your existing HVAC system. Extending your HVAC system costs an average of $3,000.

There are general factors that affect the price you'll pay for any remodeling or renovation project, whether you're finishing a basement or renovating a bathroom.

Age of home.

Older homes may need extra work to bring outdated wiring, plumbing, and other features up to date, and this costs more money. In newer homes, it's easier to access plumbing, wiring, and vents, so you'll pay less in labor costs. You're also not likely to need to redo entire systems in newer homes.

Size of home.

Most contractors estimate renovation costs based on your home or room's square footage, since a kitchen redo in a 5,000 square foot home (where the kitchen will be larger) will cost more than a kitchen redo in a 1,700-square foot home. If you remodel several rooms at once, you may be able to push down the cost per square foot thanks to the magic of economies of scale.

Whether structural changes are needed.

Many remodels will require moving walls to reconfigure a space. Knocking down an interior wall costs $300-$500, on average, with the price varying on the complexity of the job. The price increases if:

• Walls are load-bearing. This means the walls are holding up roofing and ceilings and provide structural support. You'll need more than a sledgehammer to move them. You'll need to hire a structural engineer who can plan additional framing and a new header beam to do the work the walls did.
• Walls have mechanicals. This means a wall has plumbing, heating or cooling ducts, or electrical wiring. Removing the wall with mechanicals is a more complex job and you'll pay more for extra time, labor and expertise.

Whether you hire an architect.

Hiring an architect costs $50-$150 per hour on average, depending on size and complexity of the project. Some projects, particularly home additions, will require an architect to create building plans that meet local codes and allow you to get permits.

A Thumbtack pro in Nashville, Tennessee, charges $2 per square foot to draw plans of a house “as built" for a remodel and $500 for an engineer stamp of approval for remodeling plans.

Cost of building permits

The national average cost of getting a building permit for a remodeling project is $300-$900.

Many remodeling projects require building permits before you begin. You'll usually need permits for an addition, a major renovation like a kitchen, structural changes, and electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work.

Quality, type, and amount of materials you need.

If you choose high-end materials for your remodel, you'll pay more for the job. For example, if you're remodeling a kitchen, opting for granite countertops and custom cabinets can cost as much as 75% more than low-end stock cabinets and laminate or Corian countertops.

The trim, flooring and appliances you choose have a big impact on price, too. If you're trying to stick to a lower budget, consider good quality but mid-range materials that will still give you the look you want in your home. Remember, while some materials will cost more upfront, they'll last longer and need fewer repairs, saving you money in the long run.

Interior painting.

Just about any remodeling project will need an interior or exterior paint job. Nationally, interior painting costs $900 for labor and materials. This amount varies on the size of the room, the quality of paint used, the amount of prep work the job requires, and whether there's a lot of trim and doors to paint.

A Thumbtack painting pro in Richardson, Texas, charges $0.50 per linear foot for baseboard and trim, $20 to $25 per door and $15 per door jamb. Paint ranges in price from $20 per gallon for a store brand to $110 per gallon for a high-end designer paint. If walls need to be patched or old layers of paint sanded off, the job will take longer and the price goes up.

New flooring.

New flooring costs between $1,200-$2,000, depending on the size of the room where you're putting down new floor and the material you choose. For example, high-quality hardwood flooring will cost you more than a basic laminate.

Remodeling jobs are complex, so hire a general contractor who can supervise the array of specialists you'll need to complete the job. Before you hire a contractor to help with your home remodel, be sure to:

• Look at past remodeling projects they've done. Check photos and reviews of previous remodeling projects the contractor has done. Also make sure the contractor has experience doing the type of remodel you want, like a kitchen remodel or a new addition.
• Make sure they're licensed and insured. Also ask how long they've been in business and how they screen subcontractors.
• Ask about what's included in their estimates. Remodeling projects are complex, so make sure the estimate breaks down exactly what's included in the total cost. For example, is the cost of building permits and architectural plans included in the quote? Is the demo cost in the quote? What are the labor costs, per hour? What materials are included in their estimates?
• How long will the project take? At this time, they should also be able to estimate how long they expect the renovations to take.