Remodeling even one room can seem overwhelming, but tackling multiple rooms or a whole-house remodel that requires a gut renovation takes careful planning, preparation, and budgeting. The good news is that your home improvement projects can all come to fruition with proper renovation cost planning.
First, if you want to remodel multiple rooms, you’ll save a substantial amount of money by tackling one room at a time. Additionally, your home renovation general contractor can spend more time working alongside you to provide the desired results.
Which leads to the most critical question – what’s the average cost to gut and remodel a house? Many factors and variations contribute to the bottom line of a project, including the size of each room, underlying problems that could arise, the cost of the materials, and the extent of the remodel. We’ve gathered information on some of the most popular remodeling projects to give you a good starting point. Read on for costs to gut a house to the studs and popular projects.
Remodeling Cost Calculator for Adding Square Feet/Knocking Down Walls
If you’re dreaming of an expanded layout for your kitchen renovation, walls will need to be removed to add square footage to your space. In doing so, you can expect your kitchen project cost to include a gut renovation cost per square foot. Also, expect a range of complexity and corresponding prices that many kitchen remodel Contractors call the “unforeseen.” These factors consist of:
Load-Bearing Walls
These walls help support the home, which means removing them requires careful planning, often with the guidance of a structural engineer. This also requires additional framing and installing a header beam to replace the support that the wall provides.
Walls with Mechanical
If the wall you want to remove has plumbing, cooling or heating ducts, or electrical wiring, you can expect price increases.
Textured Walls and Ceilings
While tearing out studs typically costs $4 to $6 per square foot, most experts recommend retexturing the entire area to match the old and new areas, which costs more than simpler finishing
Got Lead?
Older homes may have lead paint or lath-and-plaster walls, requiring more extended, more intricate removals with higher costs.
Adding square footage can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $100,000, with homeowners spending an average of $40,915. Again, this all depends on the extent of the kitchen addition and your chosen finishing materials.
Basement
Remodeling the basement can be a very big job, but it’s one many real estate experts agree with, as it can increase the value of your home. Factors such as installing hardwood floors, building walls, adding electrical or plumbing lines, and furnishing the room all contribute to the overall price, which averages $18,711. Most homeowners spend between $10,579 and $27,000, with some remodels costing more than $40,000.
The square footage of your basement and the cost of the materials are the main factors in this project. One of the priciest remodel options involves adding a bathroom in the basement, which requires plumbing work and choosing all the necessary fixtures. If you’re thinking of a basement bathroom remodeling project, you might consider adding a more cost-effective half bath to save money.
Cost to Completely Renovate a House – Plumbing, Electrical & Structural
The cost of hiring a contractor to remodel a house is one thing, but if you’re changing the layout or knocking down walls, your home renovation cost will require plumbing and electrical services. Below is a list of the average prices you can expect to pay if you need to have plumbing, electrical or structural work completed:
Plumbers
The average cost of hiring a plumber is $299. Plumbers may charge by the job or by the hour. Average hourly fees range from $45 to $150, although calling a plumber for an emergency or after-hours project typically costs more.
Electricians
The average cost of hiring an electrician is $322. Like plumbers, many electricians charge by the hour. Typical fees range from $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the electrician’s experience and the intricacy of the work you need to complete.
Structural Engineers
If you’re planning an addition, changing the stairs, or knocking down load-bearing walls, you’d be well-advised to consult a structural engineer to ensure your plans can be completed safely. Homeowners typically spend $512 to hire a structural engineer, according to the national average.
Permits
Before you begin any remodeling home projects, check with your local authorities to determine the permits required for the work. New Jersey local authorities require permits to ensure all the work is done according to building codes. To save time and money, check out your local building permit costs.
Structural Engineers
If you’re planning an addition, changing the stairs, or knocking down load-bearing walls, you’d be well-advised to consult with a structural engineer to make sure your plans can be completed safely. Homeowners typically spend $512 to hire a structural engineer, according to the national average.
Get a Free Remodeling Consultation & Project Quote