How much does it cost to remodel a house?

Thinking about remodeling your house? Whether you're upgrading a kitchen, adding more living space or refreshing outdated interiors, a well-executed remodel can potentially improve your quality of life and may increase the market value of your home. However, the cost of remodeling can quickly add up. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand the potential costs of remodeling your house so you can budget accordingly and get the funds you need to do it right.

Average cost to remodel a house

According to data from Angi, the cost to remodel a 1,250- to 1,600-square-foot house costs an average of $52,275 in March of 2025. Of course, that can vary depending on the size and scope of the project. A remodel could cost a few thousand dollars to as much as $190,000 or more.ec-renovation-cost

Cost to remodel by square foot

The same study suggests that the average cost to remodel a house ranges from $15–$60 per square foot in March of 2025. While it may not seem like much, when you multiply that by the average square footage of a U.S. home of 1,835 square feet, as of Q4 of 2024,ec-medsqufeeus that cost can range between $27,525 and $110,100.

What is the average cost to gut and remodel a house?

When you “gut” a property as a part of the remodeling process, it requires opening up the walls and/or floors to either replace damaged structural elements or to access and replace the home’s plumbing, wiring and HVAC systems. This may add additional costs to your remodeling budget for labor and materials, special contracting expertise and additional permits.

What is the cost to remodel a house by project?

The average cost estimates listed above are for a whole house remodel. But what if you’re just looking to remodel one part of your home? Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with individual rooms and aspects of your home to help you get started.

Living room remodel

Even though it’s one of the largest spaces in your home, a living room remodel often comes with the lowest cost, since you usually don’t have to worry about plumbing and most of the furnishings can be added after your remodel. In March of 2025, the cost of remodeling a living room can range from $2,500–$15,000 for a high-end remodel. The average was $8,000.ec-living-room-remodel

Bathroom remodel

Although it’s a small space, a bathroom remodel tends to be pricier, due to the fact that there are unique challenges of handling the plumbing improvements and electrical needs of the room. Also, because the room often requires greater use of materials like tile, porcelain or fiberglass, which are capable of standing up to hot water and steam, you may find there are additional challenges that can add to the cost. Overall, studies suggest you should budget between $6,639 and $17,621, or an average cost of $12,116, for a bathroom remodel based on data from March 2025.ec-bathroom-remodel

Bedroom remodel

We often forget that we spend about eight hours or more in our bedrooms each day. So having a comfortable space can make a big difference. For an average bedroom of 150 square feet, the cost can average around $20,000 as of March 2025.ec-bedroom-remodel This may include expenses such as new carpet and paint, closet renovations or adding an ensuite bathroom.

Kitchen remodel

Kitchen remodels can be some of the most costly home renovations in terms of both time and money, but they also have the potential to add the greatest return on investment when selling. That’s why the cost of a kitchen remodel can range from around $15,000 to more than $40,000 or around $27,000 on average as of March 2025.ec-kitchen-remodel This can vary depending on the extent of the renovations, the cost to replace existing appliances and whether you need to upgrade or replace existing gas, water and electrical systems.

Exterior remodel

Remodeling the exterior of your home can also add to its overall value, both when you live there and if you choose to sell. The costs for an exterior remodel may range from $1,800–$100,000 or more, based on March 2025 data,ec-exterior-remodel depending on the size of the home and whether you plan to repaint, replace existing siding or tiles, repair or replace the roof or install windows.

What are the costs related to remodeling a home?

When a contractor quotes the price of a remodeling project, it’s important to look at the individual elements that contribute to the final cost. That way, you can know how to compare estimates so you can get the best price.

• Labor: This is one of the most significant costs of a remodel due to the labor intensive nature of the work. However, labor rates will vary widely based on what portion of the home is being renovated, where the home is located and the materials used.ec-renovation-cost
• Materials: This includes the cost of the flooring lumber, tile, drywall, furnishings and everything else that might be included in a remodel. While it’s good to be cost-conscious, some higher-cost materials may provide greater long-term value.
• Permits: Depending on the scope of your remodel, you may need to obtain permits and other permissions, especially if you’re adding an extension to your home or building in a way that may affect your neighbors.
• Survey fees: You may also need to pay for survey fees and land assessments to make sure you aren’t in violation of any neighboring property rights.

Questions to ask before you remodel your house

The decision to remodel a home can be based on practical, financial, aesthetic and emotional considerations. Before budgeting for a home remodel, you’ll want to ask yourself the following questions:

Are the reasons to remodel necessary?

It’s tempting to refresh our homes when we feel we can afford to, and there may be practical reasons why a home needs remodeling, including home improvements against wear and tear and aesthetic changes to make a home feel more livable. Before committing to an expensive remodel, it’s also important to consider how the costs of remodeling fit into your current budget, whether they add value and how they may affect your financial future.

Will a renovation save money in the long run?

You may also find it valuable to improve a home with a green remodeling project to make it more energy efficient. This can be done by replacing older appliances and making improvements to existing HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. In some cases, it may make sense to incorporate green energy solutions like solar panels and heat pumps. Before starting a remodel, make sure you weigh the potential energy savings against the short-term and long-term costs.

Will remodeling increase the future value of your home?

Home improvements or remodeling projects with excellent ROIs can return 60% to more than 100% of your investment in terms of house value increases.ec-renovation-cost Depending on the needs of your home, it may make sense to consider which home improvements will bring the greatest future value without costing more than they’re worth.

How can you finance a home remodeling project?

While the costs of remodeling described above can seem expensive, it’s possible to find financing that can help you make your home remodeling dreams a reality.

Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinancerefinance-hl000061 lets you take out a new mortgage loan, usually up to 80% of your home’s appraised value, allowing you to keep part of your home’s equity as cash. This means you’ll have a new mortgage loan with a new payment. These loans do come with risk since your house serves as collateral on the loan.

It’s worth noting a lender will request a property valuation to determine if the property is livable and in condition to be lended on. If a big renovation is underway and the home is not deemed livable, it could be difficult to secure financing until the project is complete and the home is deemed livable again.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A HELOC allows you to borrow against the available equity in your home. Because a HELOC works as a revolving line of credit rather than a lump-sum loan, you can make payments to contractors as needed. This flexibility can help you to pay down your line of credit over time.

A HELOC may make sense if you already have a favorable mortgage interest rate and don’t want to refinance to a higher one. Just keep in mind that a HELOC still uses your home as collateral, so it does come with the risk of foreclosure if you fail to make your payments.

Like cash-out refinances, your lender will request a property valuation to ensure the home is livable before lending on it. Chase does not currently offer HELOCs in all states. Please talk with a Home Lending Advisor to see if HELOCs are available in your state.

Personal loan

If borrowing against your available equity isn’t an option, you may be able to use a personal loan to finance repairs. These loans allow you to borrow a lump sum of money and repay it on a fixed schedule. However, personal loans aren’t secured by your home. So they will have a higher interest rate compared to a refinance loan or HELOC. Chase does not offer personal loans at this time.

In summary

The right home remodel with a smart budget can help improve the value of your home, make it a more enjoyable place to live or even lower your monthly costs. If you’re looking to take advantage of your home’s available equity, talk to one of our home lending experts about a cash-out refinance or other home equity financing options.