Free renovation cost estimator: what will your remodel cost in 2026?
Pick a room, the type of work, and the area — and we’ll estimate the cost using 2026 U.S. pricing. Add a line for every room you’re touching to build a whole-project budget, with a running total at the bottom.
Your renovation budget
Figures are representative 2026 U.S. national averages drawn from public remodeling cost data (HomeGuide, Angi, Remodeling). Actual costs vary widely by region, finish level, contractor, and the condition of your home — a coastal metro can run 25–40% above a small town. This is an estimate only and not a quote.
How much does a home renovation cost in 2026? A room-by-room guide
“How much will it cost?” is the first question of every renovation — and the hardest to answer cleanly, because the honest reply is “it depends.” It depends on which room, how deep the work goes, how big the space is, and where in the United States you live. The estimator above bundles those variables into a fast, room-by-room number you can actually plan around.
Why renovation costs are measured per square foot — by room
A single “whole-home” price-per-square-foot is misleading, because not every square foot gets equal work. You might gut the kitchen and bathrooms while giving bedrooms fresh paint and flooring. That’s why the smart way to budget — and the way this tool works — is room by room: each space carries its own cost per square foot, multiplied by how much of it you’re renovating.
Kitchens and bathrooms cost the most per square foot because they’re dense with plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, and tile. Bedrooms, living rooms, and basements cost far less because they’re mostly drywall, flooring, paint, and lighting.
Kitchen remodel: $100–$250/sq ft · Bathroom: $120–$275/sq ft · Basement finishing: $30–$75/sq ft · Whole-home standard renovation: $60–$100/sq ft. A full gut to the studs runs $60–$150/sq ft.
Typical 2026 costs by project
| Project | Typical 2026 range (US) |
|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel (mid-range) | $25k–$50k |
| Bathroom remodel | $6k–$25k |
| Basement finishing (1,000 sq ft) | $30k–$75k |
| Attic conversion | $25k–$75k |
| Whole-home (2,000 sq ft) | $28k–$115k |
| Room addition | $200–$400/sq ft |
How the type of work changes the price
The same room can cost wildly different amounts depending on scope. That’s the second choice in the estimator:
- Cosmetic refresh — paint, fixtures, new flooring, hardware. Roughly a third of a full remodel’s cost, and often the best value.
- Standard (mid-range) remodel — new cabinets, counters, fixtures, and finishes without moving walls. The baseline most homeowners picture.
- Full gut / structural — down to the studs, new layout, plumbing and electrical moved. Around 1.5× a standard remodel.
- High-end / luxury — custom cabinetry, premium stone, designer fixtures. Roughly double a mid-range job.
Permits ($500–$2,500), design fees, and the inevitable surprises aren’t in a per-square-foot number. Always add a 15–20% contingency on top of any estimate — more for homes over 50 years old, where opening a wall can reveal outdated wiring or water damage.
Location changes everything
These are national averages. A West Coast metro typically runs about 30% above the national norm, while many Southern and Midwestern markets land 15–20% below. Labor rates, permit costs, and material availability all vary by region, so treat the estimate as a starting point and confirm with local contractor bids.
Once you have a number, sanity-check whether the project will pay you back. Not every remodel returns its cost at resale — run it through our Renovation ROI Calculator, and read the full Renovation guide for budgeting, timelines, and how to hire a contractor without getting burned.