How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

A basic kitchen remodel typically costs around $100 per square foot, a standard remodel around $175 per square foot, and a premium or luxury remodel can run $275-$450+ per square foot, depending on cabinetry, countertops, and appliance choices.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

Bathrooms typically cost more per square foot than kitchens because plumbing and waterproofing costs stay fairly fixed regardless of size. A basic remodel runs around $150/sq ft, standard around $250/sq ft, and premium or luxury remodels can exceed $400-$650/sq ft.

How much should I budget for a whole home renovation?

A common guideline is 10-20% of your home's value for a cosmetic whole-home refresh, or 20-35% of home value for a full gut renovation down to the studs, though this varies significantly by scope and location.

Does a kitchen remodel add home value?

Yes, kitchen remodels are consistently among the highest-ROI renovations, though the percentage of cost recouped at resale tends to be highest for minor/standard updates and lower for extensive luxury remodels.

Why do luxury renovations have a lower return on investment?

Buyers typically won't pay dollar-for-dollar more for ultra-premium finishes, especially if the renovation pushes the home well above the norm for its neighborhood. This is sometimes called 'over-improving' — spending in a way the local market won't fully reward at resale.

What percentage of home value should I spend on a renovation?

The National Kitchen and Bath Association suggests roughly 5-15% of home value for a kitchen remodel and 5-10% for a bathroom remodel, as a general planning guideline rather than a strict rule.

How accurate are online renovation cost calculators?

They provide a reasonable ballpark based on typical national pricing patterns, useful for early planning conversations. Actual costs vary by region, contractor, material availability, and unexpected issues found once work begins (like water damage or outdated wiring), so a calculator estimate should always be confirmed with real contractor quotes.

Home Renovation Calculator – Kitchen, Bathroom & Whole-Home Costs (Free)

🛠️ Home Renovation Calculator

Project Type

Square Footage

Quality Tier

Quick Examples

200 sq ft kitchen 60 sq ft bathroom 1,800 sq ft full gut

🛠️

Enter your project details and click Calculate

Your ballpark renovation estimate will appear here.

Calculating…

How It Works

Why "Basic" Often Has a Better ROI Than "Luxury"

A common surprise in renovation planning: spending more doesn't always mean recouping more at resale.

Estimated Cost = Square Footage × $/sq ft (by tier)

Estimated Value Recouped = Cost × ROI %

ROI % tends to be highest for basic/standard updates and lowest for luxury ones — buyers rarely pay dollar-for-dollar for ultra-premium finishes.

Worked Example: 200 sq ft Kitchen, Standard Tier

200 sq ft × $175/sq ft = $35,000 estimated cost

✓ At a typical ~79% ROI for standard kitchen work, that's roughly $27,650 recouped at resale — a stronger relative return than the same kitchen done at luxury tier.

These are general planning estimates based on typical national pricing patterns, not a formal appraisal or contractor quote. Actual costs and resale value depend heavily on your local market, home condition, and contractor.

Quick Reference

Typical Renovation Cost Per Square Foot

Project	Basic	Standard	Premium	Luxury
Kitchen	$100/sq ft	$175/sq ft	$275/sq ft	$450/sq ft
Bathroom	$150/sq ft	$250/sq ft	$400/sq ft	$650/sq ft
Whole-home refresh	$15/sq ft	$35/sq ft	$60/sq ft	$100/sq ft
Whole-home full gut	$80/sq ft	$150/sq ft	$250/sq ft	$400/sq ft

Planning Guideline

How Much to Budget as a % of Home Value

A general NKBA-style guideline for keeping renovation spending proportional to your home's overall value.

Project	Suggested % of Home Value
Kitchen remodel	5-15%
Bathroom remodel	5-10%
Whole-home cosmetic refresh	10-20%
Whole-home full gut renovation	20-35%

FAQ

Home Renovation Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about renovation costs, resale value, and budgeting.