Improve
Renovations that hold up
Kitchens, baths, decks, basements and additions — what they cost, how long they take, and how much of the spend you are likely to see again.
Homeowner answers on improve
Kitchens
How much should a kitchen renovation cost?
Most full kitchen renovations land between roughly $25,000 and $80,000, with a mid-range remodel in an average-sized kitchen commonly falling near $40,000 to $55,000. Cabinet-and-counter refreshes that keep the existing layout can run $15,000 to $30,000, while moving plumbing, removing walls or specifying custom cabinetry pushes past $100,000. The single largest swing factor is cabinetry, which often accounts for a third of the total. A useful rule of thumb is to plan for 6 to 12 percent of your home's value.
Bathrooms
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
A standard hall bathroom remodel usually runs $12,000 to $28,000, and a primary bathroom with a separate shower and tub commonly falls between $25,000 and $60,000. Keeping fixtures in their existing locations is the cheapest path; relocating a toilet or converting a tub to a curbless shower adds both plumbing and structural work. Small bathrooms are not proportionally cheap, because the same trades still have to visit the same number of times.
Decks and Exteriors
Is a deck worth the investment?
A deck is usually worth it if you will actually use it, and marginal if you are building it purely for resale. A pressure-treated wood deck typically costs $25 to $45 per square foot installed and recovers around 50 to 65 percent at sale; composite runs $40 to $70 per square foot with similar recovery but far less maintenance. The stronger argument for a deck is lifestyle: it adds usable living space at a fraction of the cost of interior square footage.
Renovation Costs
How much contingency money should I keep for a renovation?
Plan on 10 to 15 percent of the project cost for new or recently updated homes, and 20 percent or more for houses built before 1980 or for any project that opens walls, floors or the roof deck. The contingency is for conditions you could not see, not for upgrades you decide you want mid-project. Keeping those two buckets separate is what prevents a budget from quietly doubling.
Renovation Costs
How can I tell if a renovation estimate is realistic?
A realistic estimate is itemized, names specific products or states honest allowances, includes permits and cleanup, and lines up within roughly 15 percent of other bids for the same written scope. Be suspicious of a single-line total, of allowances far below retail pricing, and of any number dramatically lower than the others — that gap almost always reappears later as change orders. Price differences between good contractors usually come from scope, not from greed.
Decks and Exteriors
Are replacement windows worth the cost?
Replacement windows are worth it when the existing units are failing — rotted frames, broken seals, sashes that will not operate or lock — and less compelling when the goal is purely energy savings. Installed costs commonly run $650 to $1,400 per window, and energy savings alone typically take fifteen years or more to repay that. The stronger arguments are comfort, noise, security, maintenance and resale presentation, where windows do measurably well.
Bathrooms
How long should a bathroom renovation take?
A standard bathroom remodel takes three to five weeks of on-site work once materials are on hand, and a primary bathroom or any layout change takes five to eight. The calendar length is usually longer than the work length, because tile, vanities and glass enclosures have lead times and inspections have to be scheduled. Expect eight to twelve weeks from signed contract to finished room.
Renovation Costs
What renovation costs do homeowners commonly overlook?
The costs most often missing from a homeowner's budget are the ones that are not part of the finished room: disposal, permits, protection and cleanup, temporary living arrangements, and the small purchases at the end. Together these routinely add 10 to 20 percent to a project. Allowance overruns are the other big one — the bid assumed $40 per square foot tile and you chose $95.