How Much Does a Home Remodel Cost?

If you’ve been Googling things like “how much does it cost to renovate a house” or “home remodel cost,” you already know the internet loves vague answers.

The truth is simple but not very satisfying:

There is no one-size-fits-all price for a remodel.
Your cost depends on scope, finish level, and the condition of your existing home.

This guide will help you understand:

• What actually drives home renovation costs
• How to think about cost per square foot without getting misled
• Why online renovation calculators are only a starting point
• How builders like Lungu Construction Group put together a realistic budget

Why There’s No Single “Right” Number

When someone asks, “How much does it cost to remodel a home?” they usually want one clear figure.

In reality, three factors shape your house renovation price:

1. Scope
   Are we repainting and replacing flooring, or completely reconfiguring the layout and systems?
2. Finish level
   Stock cabinets and simple tile, or custom millwork, stone, and high-end fixtures?
3. Existing conditions
   Is the structure solid and up to code, or are there hidden issues in framing, plumbing, or electrical?

Two houses with the same square footage can end up with very different budgets depending on those three items. That’s why you’ll see so many versions of the same question:

• How much does it cost to remodel a house?
• How much does a home renovation cost?
• How much does it cost to completely renovate a house?
• What’s the whole house remodel cost vs. just doing the kitchen?

They’re all valid—but they’re all missing the same thing: context.

Levels of Remodel and Typical Cost Ranges

Instead of chasing one magic number, it’s more useful to understand levels of remodel. Most projects fall into one of these buckets.

1. Light Refresh (Cosmetic Remodel)

Scope:

• Interior paint
• New flooring or refinishing hardwoods
• Updated light fixtures and hardware
• Minor carpentry and touch-ups

Good for:

• Getting a home ready to sell
• Modernizing a newer home that’s just dated, not broken

Impact on budget:

• Typically the lowest cost to remodel a house per square foot, because we’re not opening up many walls or moving utilities.

2. Targeted Renovation (Kitchen, Baths + Key Spaces)

Scope:

• Full kitchen remodel
• One or more bathroom renovations
• Updated lighting, doors, trim, and some layout tweaks
• Select electrical and plumbing upgrades where we’re already working

Good for:

• Homeowners planning to stay at least 5–10 years
• People asking “how much to remodel a home so it feels new without rebuilding everything?”

Impact on budget:

• Mid-range home remodel cost
• Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms, so the more of them we touch, the higher the overall number.

3. Full House / Whole-Home Renovation

Scope:

• New kitchen and baths
• New flooring, drywall, insulation, windows, and doors
• Revised layout (removing or adding walls)
• Major system upgrades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
• Sometimes additions or structural work

Good for:

• Aging homes that need a complete reset
• Buyers who love the location but not the layout or performance of the house

Impact on budget:

• Highest full house renovation cost
• This is where you’re really asking, “How much does it cost to fully renovate a house or remodel a whole house from the inside out?”

At this level, it’s often wise to compare against the cost of building new. A good builder will help you evaluate both paths.

What Actually Drives House Renovation Price?

Beyond the high-level scope, certain spaces and decisions have an outsized impact on your home renovation cost.

Kitchens

Kitchens combine:

• Cabinets and countertops
• Appliances
• Plumbing and electrical
• Lighting and ventilation
• Often, structural changes to open up to living areas

That’s why searches like “how much does a remodel cost” are frequently about kitchen upgrades—even if they don’t say it outright. Changing the layout (moving sinks, ranges, or walls) is usually more expensive than simply updating finishes in place.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are small but complex:

• Waterproofing and tile work
• Plumbing fixtures and rough-ins
• Ventilation and electrical
• Accessibility considerations (curbless showers, wider doors)

Adding or relocating a bathroom can significantly change your house renovation price.

Living Spaces and Bedrooms

These are usually more straightforward:

• Flooring
• Paint and trim
• Doors and lighting

Costs rise when we introduce:

• Structural beams to remove walls
• Skylights or new windows
• Built-ins or custom millwork

Systems and Structure

This is the invisible part of home renovation costs that makes a big difference:

• Electrical panel upgrades
• Re-piping or drain replacements
• HVAC replacement or ductwork changes
• Foundation repairs or structural reinforcement

You don’t always see these items, but they’re critical to safety, comfort, and resale value.

Understanding Cost Per Square Foot (And Its Limits)

You’ll see plenty of simple formulas online:

• “Reno costs per square foot”
• “How much does it cost to remodel by sqft?”
• “Cost to remodel house at $X–$Y per square foot”

Per-square-foot numbers are helpful for rough planning, but they can mislead if you treat them as a fixed rule.

Here’s why:

1. Not all square footage is equal.
   Kitchen and bathroom square footage is far more expensive than hallways or bedrooms.
2. Scope varies wildly.
   Painting and new flooring in a 2,000 sq ft home is not the same as a full gut of a 2,000 sq ft home.
3. Existing conditions matter.
   A house built in 2010 will likely have different underlying costs than one built in 1920.

Use cost per square foot as a starting point, not the final answer.

Using Online Renovation Calculators (And Why They’re Only Step One)

You’ve probably seen tools titled:

• Renovation calculator
• Home renovation calculator
• Home renovation calculator free
• Home renovation cost estimator
• Remodel calculator
• Renovation cost calculator
• Whole house renovation cost calculator

These tools can be useful for:

• Getting a very rough idea of what’s realistic
• Comparing different scopes (e.g., “What if we do kitchen + 2 baths vs. whole house?”)
• Understanding how changes in finish level affect cost

What they can’t do is see your actual home:

• They don’t know your city’s permitting rules
• They can’t inspect your foundation or electrical system
• They can’t reconcile your Pinterest board with your actual budget

Treat them as a ballpark—then verify those assumptions with a builder who walks your property.

Build Your Own Simple Renovation Calculator

A better approach than relying only on generic tools is to build your own simple framework before you ask for bids. Here’s how:

List every area you want to touch.

1. Kitchen
2. Each bathroom
3. Living and dining areas
4. Bedrooms
5. Exterior (windows, siding, roof, deck, etc.)
6. Systems (HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing)

Mark the scope for each area.

1. Light refresh (paint, floors, fixtures)
2. Standard remodel (new finishes + some layout tweaks)
3. Full gut (down to studs, new systems, new layout)

Flag any layout changes.

1. Removing walls
2. Adding doors or windows
3. Moving plumbing or gas lines

Define your finish level.

1. Good / better / best
2. Where are you okay with simple, durable materials?
3. Where do you want to splurge?

Prioritize.

1. Rank each space as “must-have” or “nice-to-have.”
2. This makes it easier to phase work if the final renovation quote comes in higher than expected.

Bring this outline into your first meeting. It turns the vague question “how much will it cost to renovate a house?” into a focused conversation about your specific home.

How Lungu Construction Group Builds a Realistic Budget

Every builder has a process. Here’s a high-level look at how we approach home remodel cost planning at Lungu Construction Group.

1. Discovery & Goals

We start by understanding:

• How you live in your home today
• What’s not working (functionally and aesthetically)
• How long you plan to stay in the home
• Your target investment range

This ensures that when we talk about “how much to renovate a house,” we’re aligned on the why as well as the what.

2. Site Visit & Existing Conditions

Next, we walk the home:

• Inspect structure and systems where accessible
• Look for potential surprises (past DIY work, moisture issues, etc.)
• Evaluate access, staging areas, and logistics

This step is critical to making sure the home renovation costs you see on paper are grounded in reality.

3. Concept & Scope Definition

Working with architecture and design, we:

• Develop preliminary layouts and ideas
• Define which walls move and which stay put
• Clarify the level of finishes and custom work

By the end of this phase, we have a clear picture of whether you’re doing a cosmetic update, targeted remodel, or whole house remodel.

4. Detailed Budget & Allowances

Rather than a single lump number, we break the budget into:

• Trade categories (framing, electrical, plumbing, etc.)
• Allowances for finishes (tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinets)

This gives you visibility into what drives your home remodel cost and where you can adjust choices to stay within your comfort zone.

5. Ongoing Transparency

Renovations always involve some unknowns—especially on older homes. We:

• Communicate discoveries as they happen
• Offer options for handling changes
• Keep an updated budget log so there are no surprises

Getting the Most From Your Remodel Budget

No matter whether you’re planning a small update or wondering how much it costs to completely renovate a house, a few principles help your budget go further:

• Invest in layout first.
  A thoughtful floor plan often makes a bigger difference than the most expensive finishes.
• Be realistic about your must-haves.
  If your list doesn’t match your budget, phasing work is often better than cutting corners everywhere.
• Avoid scope creep mid-project.
  It’s easier (and cheaper) to dream big early, then refine, than to bolt on new ideas once construction is underway.
• Choose a builder early.
  Involving a builder while plans are still flexible helps align design with what you’re comfortable spending.

When Should You Talk to a Builder?

If you’ve reached the point where you’re comparing “whole house remodel cost” vs. “partial remodel,” or are bouncing between different home renovation calculator tools, it’s probably time for a real conversation.

Talking to a builder doesn’t lock you into a project. It simply gives you:

• A grounded view of what’s possible within your budget
• Clear next steps for design, permitting, and construction
• Answers tailored to your home—not a generic average

Ready to Get Clarity on Your Home Remodel Cost?

Whether you’re planning a light refresh or exploring a full-scale renovation, you don’t have to guess your way through the numbers.

Lungu Construction Group brings architecture-driven thinking and meticulous construction to every project, helping homeowners move from “How much does it cost to remodel a house?” to “We know what it costs, and we have a plan.”