The Best Resources To Help You Estimate Your Remodel Cost
If you’re looking for the best ways to estimate the cost of your home remodel online, you have come to the right place! Without picking up the phone or meeting with a contractor, you can easily start finding average costs for home projects to begin estimating your remodel cost - completely on your own and for free.
Although every project is different, which means it can be hard for you to get an exact figure without calling an experienced licensed contractor, having an realistic idea of the possible costs of your remodel can help you avoid sticker shock and be more prepared in your understanding of the overall scope of your home remodel.
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Why Should You Estimate Your Remodel Cost?
Here’s the thing, 9 times out of 10 the budget dictates what can actually be accomplished in a home remodel.
We appreciate how fun it can be to daydream about possibilities for your home, but until you understand the real cost, it can be dangerous to let your mind wander too far.
Research the estimated cost of your project on your own is a great way to set appropriate expectations for the end result. Once you know the limits of your budget and what it could potentially get for you, then it is a great time to start finding ways to make that happen!
Keep in mind, with the internet you can probably find something written somewhere that could match the price criteria you set. We encourage you not to do that.
Instead of looking for an answer that fits your budget, look first at what the real costs are and then plan appropriately from there.
For instance, searching for something like, “Bathroom Remodel Under $5000” will probably be less likely to give you a realistic idea of the cost of your project compared to using the estimators listed below, which should give you a more clear and honest picture of the price.
That doesn’t mean you couldn’t adjust the scope of your project to have the budget fit within $5,000, it means you will need to have an accurate idea of each cost to know what you can really accomplish within that particular budget.
Before we go any further I want to clarify that we do not have any affiliation with these websites and are simply recommending them based on trying them out ourselves and finding them to be generally realistic for what we have seen project costs to be in our area. As with many businesses, make sure to read and agree to their privacy policies before submitting any personal or contact information.
The Cost vs. Value Report is our favorite place to tell people to start as it is great for people who like detailed reports. The report goes by year, which means you can currently search for the reports for costs of projects from 2018. The offer prices for 21 different types of projects from 149 different markets throughout the US.
Even more than just showing the amount spent, they also show the average amount of money people receive back from the cost of the remodel when selling their home. This information can not only help to give you an idea of how much your project might cost, it also gives you data for the best places to invest your money when making improvements to your home.
How to use it:
Simply head to the website
Select the year of the report you would like and the region you are searching in.
From there you can select the specific market and click the download button.
The report starts off by defining different types of projects, so make sure to read so you know how to accurate compare to your own project!
Homewyse is the #1 place we would tell homeowners to start if they are considering doing the project themselves. It really is perfect for the DIYer! Homewyse offers simple, yet detailed, lists that show estimated costs for materials, supplies, and labor separately. It does this by using square feet measurements and estimated hours of work to complete the project. Your price can be more specific by using your zip code and by using their “project options” tab to add extra features to the scope of the project.
The site does specifically note that the pricing does not include sales taxes, permit fees or hazardous material remediation costs (e.g. mold, asbestos, lead) so you will want to add those costs on yourself. The project costs under the “project” tab also do not account for changes to the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or structure on their own but they do offer a secondary option to price for room modifications to add those costs on yourself.
How to use it:
Head to Homewyse.com
Click the “Projects” tab along the top
Scroll down and select the type of project you are trying to price out
A box will show up with estimated pricing, you can then adjust the square footage, the zip code, and add additional “project options” in order to get your pricing!
Kukun is a unique price estimator that makes the process simple, while also offering some detailed information to give more specific pricing. The tool uses area and age of the property to help gauge the price of the remodel and there’s even an option to include an equity evaluation.
There show three options for you to choose from for the scope of the project, the first being a simple cosmetic update, the second being a typical renovation where everything is “new” and the third being a “down to studs” type of project. They also allow you to add or remove categories from the estimate to personalize the price for your needs.
How to use it:
Head over to MyKukun.com
Select the type of project you are trying to price out
Fill out the required information about your project including the age of the home and your zip code (Don’t forget to check the box if you want an equity evaluation)
Click “select” for the scope of the project
If you like, you can further specify the work to be completed by adding or removing categories like demolition, HVAC, etc.
There you have it, your estimated project cost!
Remodeling Calculator
The “Remodeling Calculator” is the simplest of all the estimators, easy to get a quick idea of price without too much messing around. They offer simple calculators for everything from gutters to new home building! It is important to scroll down beneath the pricing to see what they do not include in their estimated costs.
Although we aren’t sure it is the most accurate of all the calculators, we really appreciate the ease of use, especially when you’re not ready to commit to spending too much time but want to get an idea of potential pricing. We also like how many different types of calculators they offer on their website.
How to use it:
Go to RemodelingCalculator.org
Fill out the form for the type of project you want to price
Add your “area”
Ta-da! Average pricing!
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Aging In Place
Conclusion
We hope you can use these helpful estimating tools to start exploring the costs of your home remodel. Having a realistic idea of the cost is a great way to start off with appropriate expectations and make a plan that will work with your skills, time and budget. It is good to remember, if you plan to hire a contractor, an estimate from a licensed professional is going to be much more thorough and accurate than a general price online. That being said, we have found it makes a world of difference when clients are appropriately prepared for the cost and can participate in the conversation about budget with us from the first meeting.
Are you considering or currently planning a remodel for your own home? What type of project is in your future? We would love to hear what you have up your sleeve!
