Moving to a new home or doing major renovations can be a stressful experience. If you don’t plan ahead, your important projects can end up putting you over budget and out of money. Thankfully, cost calculators can help you get a better idea of the average cost for a wide variety of home projects, so that you’re armed with information going in and have peace of mind that you have enough to complete the project. Determining the cost in advance and keeping track of your budget will ensure that your next renovation or home update goes smoothly without breaking the bank. Knowing your project cost ahead of time will help you choose the right materials, the right contractors, and the right type of project for a beautiful, affordable renovation.
Great Cost Calculators
Before you start ripping up the flooring or tearing out your kitchen cabinets, it’s crucial to have an accurate starting point in terms of your budget and what you’ll expect to pay to complete your project from start to finish. Use the project cost guide at Porch.com to help you find a reliable estimate for a wide range of renovations and other home projects. From adding a new roof to your home to painting the walls, these cost guides will help you along the way so you can stay on track.
Moving: An Exciting but Expensive Time
The average cost of a DIY move is approximately $660, but full-service movers with a truck and all the truck parts will likely cost you closer to $2,500 or more. If you’re moving across the country, prepare to pay an even higher cost. To help you with your estimate, try the HireAHelper Moving Calculator. This handy moving calculator lets you put in your start and end zip codes, how many bedrooms you need to move, the square footage of your home, and if you plan on driving. In addition to the helpful calculator and tools, you’ll get real customer reviews from a variety of well-known, national moving and storage companies. Use the moving options comparison to give you a better idea of which moving method is best for you budget-wise.
Kitchen Updates
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms to renovate, and it also has one of the highest returns in terms of resale if you’re planning to sell your home. The renovations you can do in this room are endless, ranging from simple and inexpensive to extremely intense and high-cost. You can renovate your kitchen slowly by changing appliances or updating cabinets, then work your way toward more complex updates like new flooring or countertops.
Install a dishwasher: It costs between $669 and $1,256 to install a dishwasher, with the average cost being $863. This cost includes your new dishwasher and the labor required to remove your old dishwasher and hook up the new one. You can use this cost calculator to help you determine what you can expect to pay in your area. Costs will vary depending on the type of dishwasher you choose, whether you need the old one disposed of, and how complicated the new installation will be (i.e. your plumbing needs to be repaired or updated).
Install cabinets: On a per-cabinet basis, prepare to pay around $181 to $282 for each. That comes out to approximately $5,095 to install new cabinets in an average-sized kitchen. It’s important to calculate your cost in advance so you can stick to your budget. Remember that custom cabinets will cost a lot more, probably closer to between $13,000 and $30,000 installed. Use the calculator to enter your zip code, how many cabinets you’ll need to have installed, and whether old ones need to be removed for a more accurate snapshot of what it will cost you.
Bathroom Renovations
The bathroom is an extremely popular place to make major renovations. Whether it’s your master bath or a guest bathroom, updating this room can do wonders for your home — and your life. From beautiful new flooring to a luxurious jetted tub, the cost to renovate your bathroom will vary depending on the amount of work done and whether any major changes to the plumbing or electrical systems will be required.
Install bathroom floor tile: New tile can transform your bathroom, giving it a whole new look. On average, it costs between $3,650 and $5,650 to install new tile in a 320 square-foot bathroom. It’s important to calculate the cost of the installation — including the size of your bathroom as well as the price of tile per square foot. Luxurious, high-end tile will cost more than basic tile, and heated floors can add a significant amount to your bathroom renovation cost, too — but they’re totally worth it if you live where it’s cold in the winter. Make sure you include the cost to demo and remove the old flooring as well.
Install a toilet: Plan to pay between $457 and $840 to have a new toilet installed. Costs will vary depending on the brand of toilet you choose, finish options, and whether the plumber needs to make any major changes to the plumbing. Use this online calculator to determine a more accurate picture of what you’ll need to budget for your toilet-updating project. Enter your zip code, how many toilets you plan to replace, and a few other factors for an estimated cost for your project.
Plumbing-Related Renovations
In most cases, you only need to hire a plumber if you have a leak or you’re making major upgrades on fixtures or appliances that are attached to the plumbing in your home. It’s important to get several estimates from a few local plumbers before you commit so that you have a better idea of what the current rates are in your area. The cost of plumbing also depends on the intensity of the job and what type of work needs to be done.
Install a washing machine: The national average cost to install a washing machine is approximately $951. Aside from the cost of the appliance itself, the biggest cost factor will be how much your plumber charges for labor. It’s important to note that it shouldn’t take more than two hours to install the machine, so keep that in mind when you get hourly estimates from plumbers in your area.
Flooring to Transform Your Home
From gorgeous hardwood to carpet and tile, new flooring is a great way to transform an entire home. This popular project can vary dramatically in cost, depending on the materials you choose and how much square footage you need to cover. Updated flooring is an excellent project if you’re planning to sell and want to “wow” potential buyers — and maybe even get a better price for your home.
Install a hardwood floor: Hardwood is a gorgeous material that usually ranges between $8.25 and $12 per square foot, with an average installation cost of $3,000 for a 300-square foot room. Calculating your hardwood flooring installation cost is vital since this project can’t be put on pause once it’s started. Shop around for different brands and materials, since you may be able to get hardwood for as low as $1 per square foot if you’re on a tight budget.
Install carpet: New carpet can transform your home and add a soft layer to your floors. Carpet prices vary widely, depending on the brand name, color, and carpet type. The national average cost for carpet is around $2.46 per square foot. with a total installation price of between $1,279 and $1,782 for a 300 square-foot room. The cost of flooring like carpet or tile is something you’ll want to calculate in advance so that you’re sure about the price of the total project, including materials and labor.
Roofing Reno’s
Your roof is one of the key components of your home, and it’s important that the roof is in excellent condition to prevent leaks and structural damage. A new roof is also a wise upgrade for sellers who want to get a higher asking price. The standard roof is comprised of asphalt shingles, but you can also choose other materials like metal or clay tile, although these will cost you considerably more.
Install a shingle roof: Get ready to pay between $13,595 and $18,000 for a new shingle roof. Your total cost may depend on where you live, current demand, and the type of shingles or finish you choose. Always estimate your costs in advance so you’re prepared for the high price tag of this major home renovation.
Replace a roof: Replacing an entire roof can be costly, and it typically costs around $9,400 on average for a 2,200 square-foot home. It’s recommended that you calculate your costs first so you’re aware of the price of a new roof in your area as well as how much labor will be to install it.
Garage Makeovers
Re-doing the garage is one home project that often gets overlooked, but many homeowners like to improve this part of their home to keep it secure and looking attractive for great curb appeal. A new garage door can do wonders for your home, while a simple paint job is an affordable way to give a garage a nice makeover without breaking the bank.
Install a single garage door: If you have a single-car garage, the cost to replace the door typically ranges between $675 and $930, including labor. The biggest cost factor is the price of the door itself, with labor following as a close second. Shop around to find the best deals in your area to ensure you’re getting an affordable upgrade.
Paint a garage: A new paint job will make your garage and home look fresh. If you need to pressure wash the garage before painting, be sure to include this cost in your total price. Use this garage painting calculator to help you figure out the cost for your garage paint job — and remember that the typical cost is usually between $375 to $750 for an average-sized garage.
Landscaping for a Luscious Look
From flowering shrubs and trees to sod, updating your landscaping will do wonders for your curb appeal. You can also choose to add an artificial lawn if mowing the grass isn’t your thing or create a xeriscape that pretty much takes care of itself. No matter what you choose, it’s important to budget this project ahead of time so that your new landscaping job will turn out beautifully without surprising your bank account.
Install sod: New sod creates a lush, healthy lawn. The cost to install new sod will vary, depending on your location, how big your yard is, and current labor prices. On average, it costs between $400 and $800, with a national average cost of $1,849, depending on the amount of prep work needed, the size of the lawn, and more.
Install an artificial lawn: If you prefer not to worry about lawn maintenance, an artificial lawn is an excellent alternative. Costs to install an artificial lawn depend on what type of turf you choose and current labor rates. The average cost of artificial grass is $5.86 per square foot, but it’s important to use a cost calculator to help you determine what the total price will be, including prepping the lawn, old sod disposal, and the installation cost itself.
From a new roof to new landscaping, cost calculators will help you get a handle on your renovation budget. Remember to use your zip code, total square footage (when applicable), and the cost of materials to help ensure that your estimate for project costs is as accurate as possible. With a little bit of planning, you can make the upgrades you’ve always dreamed of without spending too much of your hard-earned cash.
