Whole House Remodel Cost Calculator
Estimate a whole-house renovation budget from square footage and scope.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
Starting figures illustrate this model. Enter your own measurements, quoted costs and applicable terms; this page does not retrieve live prices or provider rates.
Estimated project cost
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- Low-range estimate: —
- High-range estimate: —
- Typical variable cost: —
- Total excluding base fixed charges: —
On this page
Quick summary: Estimate a whole-house renovation budget from square footage and scope.
Read the method, example and limitations
Updated reference sections in this guide are in English.
Guide language: English. Updated October 15, 2026.
What this calculator estimates
Estimate a whole-house renovation budget from square footage and scope.
Inputs and units
Enter Home square feet being remodeled, Light remodel cost per sq ft ($), Typical remodel cost per sq ft ($), High-end remodel cost per sq ft ($), Design and permit costs ($), Contingency (%). Use the units shown. Required fields cannot be blank. Use zero only where that field and the model allow it. Select Calculate after changing the values.
Method and assumptions
For Whole House Remodel Cost Calculator, use 'Home square feet being remodeled' as quantity q and 'Design and permit costs ($)' as the fixed charge F. For each low, typical or high unit cost U, total = (q x U + F) x (1 + contingency/100). Low must not exceed typical, and typical must not exceed high. The final breakdown labelled total excluding fixed charges includes any contingency attached to those charges.
Worked example
These are hypothetical example inputs, not a statement of local market prices.
| Home square feet being remodeled | 1800 |
|---|---|
| Light remodel cost per sq ft ($) | 30 |
| Typical remodel cost per sq ft ($) | 75 |
| High-end remodel cost per sq ft ($) | 150 |
| Design and permit costs ($) | 15000 |
| Contingency (%) | 15 |
| Low scenario | $79,350.00 |
|---|---|
| Typical scenario | $172,500.00 |
| High scenario | $327,750.00 |
| Typical variable cost | $135,000.00 |
| Total excluding base fixed charges | $157,500.00 |
Limitations
Prefilled prices for whole house remodel cost are illustrative budgeting assumptions. Replace them with local written quotes and avoid including 'Design and permit costs ($)' both in a unit quote and again as a fixed charge. A linear unit-cost model does not capture every scope, access, size, materials or regulatory requirement.
Match the quantity to the quoted scope
Use the floor area actually being remodeled. A cosmetic finish rate and a structural renovation rate describe different work; a numerical midpoint does not establish the likely cost of either design.
For each low, typical or high unit rate, the calculation is (quantity × rate + fixed work) × (1 + contingency/100). The typical result uses the entered typical rate; it is not the midpoint unless you enter a midpoint rate. These three rates are your scenarios, not a market-price database. All three receive the same fixed work and percentage allowance.