RehabFAQs

how to estimate home remodeling costs for rehab

by Ms. Delfina Gottlieb Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Using the Cost Per Square Foot method of estimating, you will take the average per sf cost for the level of renovation required (ex. full renovation, cosmetic, cosmetic plus mechanicals) and multiply it by the square footage of the building. This method can get you into trouble if you use it as your final estimate.

Using the Cost Per Square Foot method of estimating, you will take the average per sf cost for the level of renovation required (ex. full renovation, cosmetic, cosmetic plus mechanicals) and multiply it by the square footage of the building. This method can get you into trouble if you use it as your final estimate.Sep 27, 2021

Full Answer

Why can’t I estimate how much it will cost to rehab a house?

Using the Cost Per Square Foot method of estimating, you will take the average per sf cost for the level of renovation required (ex. full renovation, cosmetic, cosmetic plus mechanicals) and multiply it by the square footage of the building. This method can get you into trouble if you use it as your final estimate.

How to use remodel calculator to estimate house renovation cost?

The Repair Cost Estimator provides powerful estimating tools to help you estimate repair costs for your rehab projects in a matter of minutes... With a cost database of over 400+ common repair/remodeling work items and unit prices, you will be able to create repair cost estimates that are more detailed and more accurate in a fraction of the time!

How much does it cost to completely remodel a 3-bedroom house?

Dec 27, 2021 · A low-end, basic whole house remodel costs $16,000-48,000, depending on the size of the house. This usually involves cosmetic updates and minor repairs, inexpensive lighting and floor replacement, as well as light landscaping. A mid-range home renovation costs anywhere from $48,000 – 75,000.

How much does it cost to gut a house and remodel?

Oct 10, 2018 · The Repair Estimator provides powerful estimating tools to help you estimate repair costs for your rehab projects in a matter of minutes. With a cost database of over 400 common repair/remodeling work items and unit prices, you will create repair cost estimates that are detailed and more accurate in a fraction of the time!

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What is the most accurate method of estimating repair costs on a rehab project?

Detailed Estimation MethodDetailed Estimation Method Detailed Estimates by Scope of Work or by Room involve a lot more time and due diligence, but it is generally the most accurate way to estimate repair costs.

What is the fastest way to estimate rehab?

0:561:56Quickly Estimate Rehab Costs (2 Minute Method) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean and a quick resale for under market value I like to use a mark of five dollars per square footMoreClean and a quick resale for under market value I like to use a mark of five dollars per square foot for that.

Is it worth rehabbing a home?

A fixer-upper may be a good investment. But it can also be a huge money pit if you estimate renovations incorrectly, contract out for most projects, and skip an inspection. To ensure a fixer-upper house is well worth the money, look at comparable homes (known in real estate as comps) in the neighborhood.Mar 2, 2022

How do you rehab a house on a budget?

How To Rehab A HouseEvaluate the property with the help of a professional inspector.Create a checklist so that rehabbing a house from start to finish becomes a reality.Develop a rehab budget once you understand your scope of work.Find a contractor who is best qualified to execute your property rehab vision.More items...

How do I estimate home repairs?

Here are the steps you should take: First, compile the total list of materials needed, and record a high and low price estimate for each. Once that's done, add both columns of numbers to get the total cost for both high and low. Then add the two totals, and then divide by two to get the average cost.Apr 28, 2020

What does a full rehab consist of?

Fixing up a rehab often means replacing floors, along with significant systems in the home, such as the electrical, heating and plumbing. Most importantly, you need to assess the property before you even call in the home inspector.Dec 15, 2019

How much does it cost to remodel a 2000 sq ft house?

House SizeSquare FeetTypical RangeAverage Cost2,000$20,000 – $120,000$50,0002,500$25,000 – $150,000$62,0003,000$30,000 – $180,000$75,0004,000$40,000 – $240,000$100,0002 more rows

What is the difference between rehab and renovation?

As verbs the difference between rehabilitate and renovate is that rehabilitate is to restore (someone) to their former state, reputation, possessions, status etc while renovate is to renew; to revamp something to make it look new again.

Do you regret buying a fixer-upper?

The Scotts say they've seen lots of owners buy fixer-uppers and end up with regrets, usually because they weren't properly prepared for the work and costs that go into renovations, not to mention the aggravation.Jan 23, 2019

What is the first thing to do when remodeling a house?

Step 1: Planning. Nail down a budget. ... Step 2: Demolition. ... Step 3: HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing. ... Step 4: Framing and Drywall. ... Step 5: Painting. ... Step 6: Cabinets & Fixtures. ... Step 7: Doors & Windows. ... Step 8: Clean House & Air Vents.More items...

What comes first in a home renovation?

This is why experts agree that choosing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom first is traditionally the smartest move. And while kitchens typically cost more to remodel than bathrooms, they tend to yield a better return on investment, so they end up paying for themselves over the long run.Oct 25, 2017

How can I reduce renovation costs?

7 ways to cut costs when renovatingPay professionals. First up, outsource any big jobs. ... SWITCH MATERIALS. Swapping to a more affordable material is an easy renovating win. ... REFURBISH & RE-USE. ... DON'T MOVE PLUMBING. ... SECOND HAND FINDS. ... MAKE COSMETIC FIXES. ... THINK LONG-TERM.

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Understand your buyer and the neighborhood

Before you start calculating rehab costs, understand what the final product will look like. Some high-end remodels take months—cosmetic renovations take just days.

Tour the property thoroughly

Next, with a good understanding of how you want the finished product to look, walk through the property very slowly. Take a lot of photos or record a video on your phone so you can easily recall the condition later. Trust me, you won’t remember it all!

Write down the problems

While you are still on-site at the property, go room by room and write down its condition, as well as any needed repairs. For example, if you walk into the living room and see carpet that looks and smells like dog urine, write down “replace carpet in living room.” Also, jot down a quick estimate regarding the size of the room.

Condense your list into 25 categories

Next, take your comprehensive list of repairs and classify each one into one of the following 25 categories, which encompass all of investment property renovation. For example, if the living room and bedrooms need carpet and the kitchen needs vinyl, group all of them together and include them under “flooring.”

Determine a rehab price for each category

Once you have your 25 categories spelled out, it’s time for the most difficult part: estimating the rehab amount for each category. However, breaking everything down into the basic components of a renovation makes estimating rehab costs much easier.

When in doubt, ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can do this in a few different ways:

How much does it cost to rehab a house?

Cost to rehab a house. The average cost to rehab a house is $20,000 to $75,000 or $20 to $50 per square foot. A full gut rehab costs $100,000 to $200,000 to remodel a house completely. Generally, the cost per square feet gets cheaper as the house size increases.

How much does it cost to remodel a living room?

The average cost to remodel a living room is $4,000 to $10,000, which includes new flooring, painting, crown molding, plantation shutters, and installing a fireplace. A basic living room renovation costs $2,500 to $5,000 for design work, painting, and flooring.

What is the cheapest way to remodel a house?

Cosmetic renovations are the cheapest way to remodel a house on a budget. Refinishing surfaces and reusing appliances helps keep costs down. Here are cheap remodeling tips to give you that feeling of a newly remodeled home.

How much does it cost to renovate a 3 bedroom house?

The average cost to fully renovate a 3-bedroom house is $25,000 to $100,000, and between $40,000 to $180,000 to remodel a 4-bedroom home. These renovation costs range from standard upgrades up to a complete gut and remodel.

How much does it cost to change a floor plan?

The cost to change the floor plan of a house is $750 to $3,000 and up. Architects charge $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot to draft design plans and provide blueprints. Structural engineers cost $500 to $1,000 and are required when knocking down load-bearing walls or planning an addition.

How much does it cost to update appliances?

Updating appliances cost $2,500 to $10,000 for a whole house or between $200 to $2,000 each on average. The kitchen and it's appliances can make or break the sale of a house. Installing new and modern appliances improves your home's value.

What are the factors that determine the cost of a home renovation?

When estimating home renovation costs, the main factors are the square footage, age, location, and current condition of the property , which rooms are being remodeled, the depth and if any structural changes are made, and the quality of materials and appliances.

Step 1: Walk the Jobsite

The first step is to get your bearings on the project. You will want to take photos, maybe a walkthrough video, and get measurements. On the first few projects you estimate, do not feel bad if you have to return to the jobsite to get more details and measurements.

Step 2: Break Down the Work

I have found that the best way to do this is to work through the project linearly through time. Working through the process of construction, write a breakdown of the basics of what you will be doing in each step.

Step 2: Scope the work

So now you have a list of what you want to do in each category. Such as replacing roof, replacing windows, replacing kitchen cabinets. At this point, it is somewhat high level. This is the point where we will start drilling down to more specific finishes and quantities.

Step 3: Start Estimating

So now you should have a list of trades and a list of what needs done to complete the work. For instance you might have:

Step 4: Putting it all Together

Some people prefer to write the scope of work out in sentence and paragraph format. Some people prefer to keep it in a spreadsheet. If you used a spreadsheet, you can add columns for labor, material, and total estimate. If you created it in paragraph format, you will need to convert it into a spreadsheet line by line first.

Helpful Automation

Takeoff software can help you be more accurate and faster when estimating rehab costs. If you are hiring an architect or designer to make a set of plans for this project, you can use these plans in takeoff software to get a better estimation of the scope of each task.

Architecture

If this is a big project where you are going to have plans made by an architect or designer, typically it is best to run the numbers before you have the plans. Then once you have the plans finalized, go through the process again with the specific items that are called out in the plans.

How much does it cost to gut a house?

Fully gutting and remodeling a house is most expensive, and is pretty much equivalent to build a new house. Costs range from $100 – to $200 per square foot depending on the size of the home and complexity of remodel involved.

What is the best way to boost the value of a home?

In terms of interior remodeling, fresh painting is hands down the most effective way to boost the value and appeal of the home, without spending too much. Of course, bathrooms and kitchens top the list of remodels with the highest return on investment, giving back at least 69-75% of what you spent.

How to calculate the size of siding?

To calculate the size of your siding job, take ground measurements of your home, add each side together, multiply by 2, and multiply by wall height (typically 9.5 ft. per level) and multiply by 1.05 if you have gable ends. Example: If your home is a 1 story ranch, 46*28 ft, the size of your siding job will be:

What is a high end kitchen remodel?

This includes ripping out existing kitchen cabinets and appliances, installing new cabinets, laminated counter tops ( granite counters for a high end remodel), stainless steel double sink with new faucets, garbage disposal, dishwasher, stove and refrigerator, as well as new tile flooring.

Can emotions cloud judgement?

When it comes to smart budgeting for a renovation, emotions can easily cloud judgement. It’s natural for many homeowners to start pouring thousands of dollars into a dream kitchen or bathroom, especially if you hate the one you have now, without thinking about the bottom line.

Do luxury remodels have a high ROI?

Keep in mind that luxury level remodels that cost tens of thousands of dollars don’t bring in a high ROI, especially if the value of the property is not commensurate with this level of a remodel.

Learn How to Estimate Rehab Costs

In this case study, I will walk you through the numbers of my very first flip deal and discuss how you can use the House Flipping Spreadsheet to estimate rehab costs for your rehab projects. I will share estimating tips and tricks to help you learn how to estimate rehab costs more accurately for your house flipping projects.

Powerful Cost Estimating Features

The Repair Cost Estimator provides powerful estimating tools to help you estimate repair costs for your rehab projects in a matter of minutes...

Create Professional Estimate Reports

Create professional estimating reports that summarize and detail your Repair Cost Estimate information...

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How much does it cost to renovate a house?

Typically, renovating a home costs $15 – 75 per square foot, but this price can go up to as much as $120-200 per square foot depending on the project and scope of work. Lets take a look how much you might end up spending per square foot for each room in the house:

How much does a concrete foundation cost?

Concrete Foundation (8′ high) $9-$24 per square foot. Foundation costs vary greatly depending on type of soil you have, thickness of concrete walls, depth, etc. Generally, expect to pay about $18 per square foot (but can go as high as $30/s.f.), installed not near the ocean or other bodies of water.

What is the best material for a bathroom?

Higher-end bathrooms specify natural granite or marble stone floors, while budget remodels often make use of low cost, but water resistant materials, such as linoleum tiles.

How much does a kitchen sink cost?

Kitchen sinks range in prices depending on the material and type of sink you choose. The cheapest are ceramic drop-in sinks that you can buy for $250-350. Stainless steel sinks are by far the most popular and cost $150-700+.

What temperature should concrete be?

It is also recommended that any concrete work is done in ambient temperatures above 45F (5C) degrees.

How much does a steam shower cost?

Prefabricated steam shower kits are the most budget friendly options, and can range from $3,000 to 5,000 for labor and materials.

What is ductless heat pump?

4) Ductless heat pump also known as Mini-split system, can be use as an all-in-one AC and heating device. These very efficient HVAC systems do not need ducts to condition your rooms, but only work in one area (zone). Cool / warm air is deceived into your room by an Air Handler (indoor unit). Many ductless systems come in multi-zone configurations, and have many different types of indoor units (wall-mounted, floor-mounted, concealed ceiling cassette, and even a small duct, which can be hidden in the attic, and condition multiple small rooms via short ducts.

The 5 Best Rehab Calculators

One of the important steps in fix and flip real estate investing deals is the house rehab process. This quick-profit strategy usually involves buying property at a discount, making changes or upgrades on it, and selling it for more than invested.

What is a rehab calculator?

A rehab calculator is an online tool that can determine or estimate the cost of repairs on a property in a real estate rehab project.

Why use a rehab calculator?

Experience, uncertainty in costs, poor financial education, and lack of needed time can make it difficult to determine whether a potential purchase is a good deal regarding the cost of repairs.

How to calculate the cost of a home renovation?

Step 1: Project Selection. Choose the project/projects you want to estimate the cost for. Our home renovation calculator will estimate the cost of each project and the return on your renovation investment. Step 2: Type of Remodel. Choose the applicable type of home improvement.

How much does it cost to remodel a room?

In the case of regular rooms, such as a home office, bedroom, or living room -- the remodeling cost per square foot is $20 to $35. A bathroom remodel costs more at $40 to $90 per square foot. A kitchen remodel is even more expensive at $50 to $100 per square foot.

How much does it cost to renovate a house?

On average, home renovation costs vary between $18,000 to $70,000, with high-end projects costing up to $150,000. However, the actual overall cost of your house renovation project will vary according to a lot of factors. 5.

Can you renovate a whole house?

It’s quite natural for homeowners, undertaking a whole house renovation, to wonder where to begin their remodeling from. The answer to that depends on the extent of damage, your remodeling budget, the scope of the renovation, your time frame, and whether you're renovating to sell your house or want to live there for years to come.

Is it a good idea to invest in a renovation?

It’s a good idea to invest enough to match your lifestyle requirements. You also need to keep your home’s value close to the values of the surrounding homes. So, when it comes to budgeting for a renovation, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement.

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