If you spend much time watching home renovation programs, you probably have the misguided impression that these types of projects are quick and easy. These programs are successful because they essentially have unlimited budgets and the assistance of top renovation professionals including designers, contractors, and tradesmen. In reality, homeowners are often renovating on a fixed budget and their access to resources is more limited. Moreover, home décor programs rarely discuss the cost of home renovations, and when they do it can be difficult to determine what is covered in their budget. So what is the cost of home renovation?
Simply put, this is a very difficult question to address. First, the cost of the project will depend entirely on the nature of the project. For example, a kitchen renovation is one of the most expensive projects in the home, whereas updates to a bedroom may cost considerably less. Moreover, the scale of the project will impact your budget not just because of resources and materials, but also because of time. If you need to move out of your home during your Renovation, this will impact your budget. Plus, many tradesmen will work at an hourly rate, and the more time spent on the job will translate to increased costs for the homeowner.
Fortunately, renovations are a smart investment that can have a significant impact on the value of your home. A well-planned renovation can run smoothly, but you need to define your priorities and budget in advance and allow these factors guide your project. Identify which are your most urgent concerns and which renovations you would put on your wish list. Ultimately, you should consider working with an experienced contractor that can utilize their years in the industry and network of suppliers and tradesmen. Apart from skill and knowledge of renovation projects, contractors can also provide technical advice and help when it comes to developing cost estimates, scheduling your renovation, and decision-making throughout the renovation process.
Still, you probably want some advance advice about how to budget for your renovation. It is important to consider two main factors that will affect the price tag on your project – soft costs and hard costs. Soft costs include design and budget development, permit fees, and professional fees (i.e. the cost for architecture and interior design). Hard costs are related to the construction phase of your project and will include the cost of labour and materials. In the typical renovation, soft costs account for about 30% of your budget, while hard costs make up the remaining 70%.
More specifically, home owners can expect bathroom and kitchen renovations to start at around $400 per square foot; however, renovations in other rooms can be much cheaper and home owners can estimate renovation costs at around $200 per square foot.
