Remodeling Costs: Estimates of What You Might Pay

Nobody wants to estimate home remodeling costs. It's a flexible number, depending on many factors. But you're just looking for a ballpark figure, right?

In the late 1990s, Freddie Mac, the mortgage giant, actually issued a list of estimated home renovation costs. This list is no longer being updated by Freddie Mac, so I have taken the liberty of updating the costs to apply to 2008-2009.

While I always do appreciate helpful comments from readers, whenever I publish remodeling estimates, I typically get e-mails saying, "This isn't how much an addition costs in Muncie, Indiana in mid-March!" Please understand that this list is very ballpark, and it averages out the entire U.S.

Addition Cost Estimates

Build addition $80 to 135 per square foot
Enclose porch $6,500 to 16,000
Drywall ceiling over plaster $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot

Basement Conversion Cost Estimates

Convert basement to legal rental unit $40,000 to $60,000

Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimates

Remodel bathroom $9,000 to 14,000
Add half bathroom $4,500 to 6,000
Add full bathroom $8,000 to 14,000

Electrical Work Cost Estimates

Increase service to 200 amps $900 to $1,500
Run separate electrical lines $250 to $400
Install connectors on outlets (of aluminum wired homes) $25 to $30 per connection/ $2,600 to 3,900 (whole house)

Exterior Work Cost Estimates

Regrade lawn $700 to $2,000
New gutters and downspouts $3.50 to $4.50 per linear foot

Floor Work and Installation Cost Estimates

Sand and finish wood floors $2.50 to 4.30 per square foot
Install ceramic tile floor $16 to 27 per square foot
Install vinyl tile floor $4.00 to $6 per square foot
Install wall-to-wall carpet $5 to $8 per square foot

Garage Work Cost Estimates

Build single car garage $8,000 to 12,500
Build double car garage $10,000 to 14,000

Heating and Air Conditioning Cost Estimates

Replace warm air furnace $2,500 to 4,800
Replace electric heat pump $3,200 to 4,600
Replace central air conditioning system (electric) $2,500 to 4,000
Replace central air conditioning system (gas) $3,600 to 4,500
Install humidifier $500 to 750
Install electrostatic air cleaner $600 to 850
Replace hot water boiler $3,500 to 4,500
Install attic ventilation $350 to 550

Insulation Cost Estimates

Insulate attic / basement $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot

Full-Scale Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimates

Remodel kitchen $12,000 and up

Plumbing Cost Estimates

(40-gallon capacity) $500 to 750
(40-gallon capacity) $400 to 650
Install new well $4,000 to 6,000
Install new septic system $4,000 to 6,000
Install sump pump $500 to 600
Install French drain and sump pump $3,000 to 4,500

Roofing Replacement Cost Estimates

Asphalt / fiberglass shingles- Install over existing shingles $2 to $3.20 per square foot
Remove existing shingles and install new $2.75 to 4.75 per square foot

Replacement and Storm Windows Cost Estimates

Install storm windows $70 to $145 each
Replace existing windows $350 to $700 each