Home Renovation Cost Calculator

Per Remodeling Magazine 2026 Cost vs. Value: minor kitchen remodel midrange $27,000 (80% resale ROI), major kitchen midrange $85,000 (50% ROI), high-end kitchen $165K+ (rarely recoups cost). Add 20-30% for Northeast/West Coast labor; subtract 10-15% for Midwest/South.

Garage door replacement (~100%+ national average), entry door (~95%), siding (~95%), minor kitchen (~80%), manufactured stone veneer (~89%). Curb appeal projects consistently dominate. Worst ROI: large additions, master suite expansions, sunrooms, custom outdoor kitchens — typically 50% or less recouped at sale.

Generally no for major projects. Minor kitchen and bath updates plus paint and curb appeal often pay back. Major remodels (kitchen >$50K, master bath >$30K) typically don't recoup. Better strategy: price the home appropriately for current condition, let buyers customize. Exception: dated/dysfunctional spaces that hurt showings (single bath in 4-bedroom house, 1970s kitchen).

Midrange bathroom remodel: $25,000 (65% ROI). High-end: $80,000+. Master bath suite addition: $50,000-110,000+ (50% ROI). Costs include tile, fixtures, vanity, lighting, plumbing changes. Save by keeping fixtures in same locations (no plumbing relocation) and using mid-grade tile from big-box stores.

Bathroom: 2-4 weeks. Minor kitchen: 4-8 weeks. Major kitchen: 8-12 weeks. Addition: 4-6 months. Whole-house renovation: 6-12 months. Allow 20-30% buffer for permit delays, supply chain issues, and discovered surprises. The "live during renovation" experience is challenging — many families budget temporary housing.

Generally no for personal residences. Exception: improvements that qualify as medical (wheelchair ramps, lift chairs) deductible in excess of 7.5% AGI. Improvements add to cost basis, reducing capital gains tax when you sell. HELOC/cash-out refi interest used for "substantially improving" the home is deductible (post-TCJA). Energy efficient upgrades may qualify for 30% federal tax credit (IRA 2022, extended through 2032).

(1) Get 3+ written bids on identical specs. (2) Verify state license at your state contractor licensing board. (3) Check insurance (liability + workers comp) — request COI directly. (4) Read Yelp, Google, BBB, Houzz reviews. (5) Ask for 5+ references and call them. (6) Verify permits — unpermitted work hurts resale and creates liability. (7) Use written contract with payment schedule tied to milestones, never pay 50%+ upfront.

A government-backed loan that finances both home purchase AND renovation in a single mortgage. Two versions: Limited 203(k) up to $35,000 in renovations (cosmetic/minor); Standard 203(k) for major work (structural, $5,000+ projects). Down payment 3.5%, 580+ FICO. Useful for buying fixers in good neighborhoods that need work. Conventional alternative: Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation.