Renovation Costs Per Square Foot Calculator
Estimate any renovation from its square footage: pick a project type for a typical cost-per-square-foot starting point, adjust for finish level, and add a contingency for the surprises every remodel hides. The tool shows the base cost, the finish-adjusted cost, and the contingency-included total.
Rough planning estimate in U.S. dollars. Labor is typically 30-50% of renovation cost and varies sharply by metro; coastal and high-cost cities run well above these bands. Get three contractor quotes before budgeting.
Worked example, checked against this exact tool
200 sq ft kitchen, $150/sq ft, mid-range finish, 15% contingency: base = 200 × 150 = $30,000; finish-adjusted = 30,000 × 1.2 = $36,000; with contingency = 36,000 × 1.15 = $41,400. That is $207 per square foot all-in: inside the typical kitchen band.
Typical cost bands by project
Use these as starting points, then get local quotes: kitchen $100-300/sq ft, bathroom $80-250/sq ft, whole-house remodel $15-60+/sq ft, basement finish $30-75/sq ft, home addition $150-300/sq ft. By scope: cosmetic refresh $30-80, standard $80-130, mid-range $80-180, high-end $180-300, gut renovation $180-400+ per square foot.
Why contingency is not optional
Opened walls reveal water damage, old wiring, and framing that no longer meets code. Contractors recommend 10-20% contingency on top of the estimate: 10% for straightforward cosmetic work, 15-20% for older homes and gut renovations. The tool applies it to the finish-adjusted cost, which is how most budgets are actually built.
What competing calculators miss
Cost guides publish the benchmark bands but make you do the arithmetic; simple estimators multiply area by a rate and stop. This page combines the project-type presets, finish-level multipliers, and contingency in one pass, and says plainly what the guides bury: labor share and regional spread are why your quotes will differ.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot?
Typically $100-300/sq ft, depending on finish level. A 200 sq ft mid-range kitchen lands around $36,000 before contingency.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost per square foot?
Typically $80-250/sq ft; small bathrooms run higher per foot because fixtures and plumbing are fixed costs.
What does a whole-house renovation cost per square foot?
Roughly $15-60+/sq ft for a refresh-to-mid-range remodel; gut renovations run $180-400+/sq ft.
How much contingency should I add?
10% for cosmetic work, 15-20% for older homes and gut renovations.
Why do quotes vary so much by city?
Labor is 30-50% of renovation cost and varies sharply by metro; high-cost cities run well above national bands.
Does the estimate include permits and design?
Not separately: fold permit, design, and inspection fees into your rate or contingency. They typically add 5-15%.
Is cost per square foot higher for small projects?
Usually yes: fixed costs (mobilization, permits, fixtures) spread over fewer square feet.
Should I use this instead of contractor quotes?
No. Use it to sanity-check quotes and set a budget range; get three local quotes before committing.