How Much Does a House Renovation Cost in 2025?

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

A house renovation costs anywhere from $3,000 to $190,000, with most homeowners spending an average of $52,251. The large range in price is due to the variation in the size of the house, rooms being renovated, and the project scope. Building a realistic budget can help cover surprises and keep the project moving. Hiring a professional remodeler to complete your home renovation project ensures quality results, building code compliance, and an expert finish.

Size of Home Renovation 

The bigger the home, the bigger the bill—square footage is one of the strongest cost drivers. Larger homes require more materials and labor, driving total expenses. Renovation costs range from $15 to $60 per square foot, but high-end materials, luxury appliances, and customization can push costs to $150 per square foot or more.

Cost by Room

Renovation costs depend on the rooms you want to improve, which fall into either wet or dry categories. Wet rooms refer to bathrooms, kitchens, and other spaces with plumbing connections. They are more costly to renovate than dry rooms, which include living rooms, bedrooms, and other areas that don’t require plumbing.

Bathroom

Bathroom renovation projects range from $6,500 to $28,000. Bathroom remodeling projects come with a range of prices depending on the cabinets, counters, and fixtures. Costs may increase significantly for changes in layout or size, which can require permits, an architect, and moving supply lines or drain lines.

Kitchen

Kitchen remodels cost an average of $14,500 to $40,500. Three major elements impact the cost of remodeling or renovating a kitchen: cabinets, countertops, and flooring. In a full kitchen renovation, expect cabinetry, appliances, and labor to account for a significant portion of the project costs.

Bedroom

Renovating a bedroom averages between $1,500 and $5,500. They often only need paint and flooring, although structural changes like an addition may require the services of an architect and permits. These projects can become more complicated and expensive if you convert an attic or basement into a bedroom.

Basement

Basement remodels cost $12,000 to $34,500, or $30 to $75 per square foot. These costs are largely determined by the scope of the project, including whether it involves electrical or plumbing work and whether structural modifications are needed. For example, adding a bathroom to the basement requires hiring a plumber, adding plumbing lines, and purchasing fixtures.

Labor Cost for Pros

Hiring a general contractor costs between 40% and 50% of the total renovation project costs. Depending on the room you’re renovating and the project’s scope, some other pros that you may need to hire include:

• Electrician: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber: $45–$200 per hour 

• Architect: $125–$250 per hour 

• Structural engineer: $70–$250 per hour 

• HVAC technician: $5,000–$12,500 to install a new HVAC system 

Cost by Location

Where you live can make a big difference in what you’ll pay for a home renovation. Labor costs—often the biggest part of the budget—can vary a lot by region. Homeowners in big cities pay higher rates than those in smaller towns or rural areas. Material costs can also fluctuate depending on your location, but labor has the biggest impact on the final price.

Check out the table below for average home renovation costs in major U.S. cities to get a sense of what you might expect to pay in your area:

Additional Cost Factors

Beyond the main costs of a home renovation, there are a few extra expenses that might come up. Whether you’ll need to budget for these additional costs depends on the size and details of your project. Some may apply, while others won’t—it all comes down to your specific renovation plans.

Older Home Renovations

Renovating an older home starts around $100,000 and can increase depending on the home's condition. These projects involve updating outdated plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems. Renovations can uncover hidden issues, so you may have to budget for items like termite damage costs or water damage.

Permit Fees

Building permits cost $500 to $2,500, and you’ll need them for major home renovations. 

Major home renovations require building permits, which cost between $500 and $2,500. You won’t need permits for smaller projects, such as painting. Always check local requirements or ask your contractor to confirm what’s needed.

Temporary Living Expenses

For large renovations that make your home unlivable, you may need to pay for temporary housing. Options like mobile homes or extended-stay hotels can cost $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on how long you’ll need the space. Smaller, contained projects usually allow you to stay in your home.

Floor Plan Changes

Changing your home’s layout can add to your renovation budget. Minor changes to a room cost around $350 to $500. Major changes, such as removing load-bearing walls, can cost over $10,000. Moving electrical and plumbing requires hiring a licensed electrician and plumber. To ensure the safety of your home, a certified structural engineer needs to work on structural changes. 

Appliance Upgrades

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, it’s likely you’ll want new appliances, like a refrigerator and dishwasher. New appliances range from $200 to $10,000 each, depending on type and quality. If you opt for Energy Star-related appliances, expect to pay $200 to $3,500, while custom built-in and luxury appliances cost $1,000 to $10,000.

Mold and Asbestos Remediation

Mold and asbestos have to addressed due to the health risks they pose to your household. It’s possible you’ll need remediation before your contractor can continue with the project. Mold remediation costs about $2,230, and removing asbestos ranges from $1,200 to $3,100.

Foundation Repairs

Foundation repairs cost between $2,200 and $7,700. These fixes are often essential to the home’s structural safety and must be completed before other renovation work can begin.

Home Accessibility Features

Adding features like ramps, stair lifts, home elevators, or universal design elements can raise renovation costs. Consult with household members who have specific accessibility needs to make sure the final design meets everyone’s expectations. Communicating these details early will help your contractor deliver the right solutions.

Home Renovating vs. Remodeling

The key difference between a home renovation and a full remodel comes down to cost and scale. Remodeling involves major changes like reworking floor plans, removing walls, adding new rooms, or completely rebuilding parts of the home. Renovations tend to be smaller in scope—think fresh paint, new appliances, updated fixtures, added shelving, or swapping out furniture.

Remodeling can transform the entire look and function of your home but comes with a much higher price tag. If you’re working with a tighter budget, renovations are a great way to refresh your space without the big spend. Simple updates—like painting, making repairs, or upgrading hardware—can make a big impact for less.

Budgeting for Home Renovations 

Home renovations can be expensive, but there are smart ways to cut costs and still reach your home improvement goals. 

• Choose Budget-Friendly Materials: Mid-range materials offer a great balance—they’re more durable than the least expensive options and give you a high-end look without the premium price tag.

• DIY Where Appropriate: You may not be able to tackle an entire renovation yourself, but many homeowners save by handling smaller tasks like simple demolition, changing out light fixtures, and updating trim and molding.

• Think Long-Term: The least expensive materials might seem like a good deal up front, but they often wear out faster and could cost you more in repairs or replacements later. Investing in quality now can save you money over time.

• Maximize Your Square Footage: The bigger the area you renovate, the more you’ll pay. Focus on getting creative with your current square footage to keep costs down while improving function and style.

• Always Get Multiple Quotes: Before hiring pros, collect at least three detailed quotes for each job. Comparing bids helps you find the best value and ensures you’re not overpaying for services.

DIY Home Renovation vs. Hiring a Pro

Labor can make up about 50% to 60% of your total home renovation budget, which means you might save $25,000 to $30,000 by tackling projects yourself.

However, electrical and plumbing work can be dangerous without the right training and expertise, and you can make costly mistakes if you’re not an expert in carpentry, flooring installation, drywall, or other aspects. Mistakes can lead to costly damage or serious injury. 

For complex jobs, it’s safer to hire licensed pros like architects, contractors, electricians, and plumbers. If you’re looking to cut costs, smaller DIY tasks like painting are DIY-friendly.

Hiring licensed professionals, like a local remodeling contractor, to carry out your house renovations gives you the peace of mind of a job well done and saves you the time and stress of tackling it yourself.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.