How this remodel cost estimator works
- Line items. Each line is a rate times the size you enter ($/sq ft lines) or a lump sum (plumbing, appliances, permits and design). The defaults depend on the project type and finish level. Budget scales materials-heavy lines down (cabinets x0.6, appliances x0.55) and upscale scales them up (cabinets x2.4, countertops x2.5, appliances x2.8). Those multipliers are our own planning assumptions.
- DIY share. Each line has an assumed labor portion (demolition 90%, paint 70%, tile 60%, electrical 55%, cabinets 25%, appliances 5%, permits 0%). Your DIY percentage removes that share of the labor only, never materials or permits.
- Totals. Typical = subtotal plus contingency. Low = subtotal x 0.85 (no surprises, competitive bids). High = typical x 1.30. These bands are our judgment of how far real bids tend to land from a planning number.
- Resale. The recouped amount is your typical total times the Cost vs. Value ratio for the closest matching project and finish level.
Resale numbers used: Cost vs. Value 2025
Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value 2025 report (published by Zonda; project descriptions at costvsvalue.com) compares job cost with estimated resale value for 28 projects. National averages used here:
| Project | Job cost | Resale value | Recouped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midrange minor kitchen remodel | $28,458 | $32,141 | 113% |
| Midrange major kitchen remodel | $82,793 | $42,130 | 51% |
| Upscale major kitchen remodel | $164,104 | $58,561 | 36% |
| Midrange bathroom remodel | $26,138 | $20,910 | 80% |
| Upscale bathroom remodel | $81,612 | $34,000 | 42% |
| Midrange primary suite addition | $170,517 | $55,097 | 32% |
| Midrange bathroom addition (for reference) | $60,645 | $32,347 | 53% |
Regional figures: the report also publishes regional results, including a West South Central region (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana). We could not load the regional pages when building this tool, so we use the national numbers only. Check the regional page on the report site for Houston-area ratios, which can differ noticeably. We don't offer a ratio for powder rooms, plain room additions or whole-house refreshes because the report has no matching project; where we use a nearby project, the result says so.
Minor kitchen remodels recoup so much because the report's version keeps the cabinet boxes (new doors and drawer fronts), replaces countertops, sink, flooring and appliances, and costs far less than a gut remodel. Resale value is also what appraisers and agents estimate, not what a buyer is guaranteed to pay.
Cost ranges behind the defaults
- HomeGuide, kitchen remodel cost: roughly $150 to $250 per sq ft for a full kitchen renovation that keeps the layout.
- HomeGuide, bathroom remodel cost and primary bathroom: about $15,000 to $30,000 for a 100 sq ft primary bath with mid-grade finishes.
- HomeGuide, home addition cost: about $125 to $250 per sq ft for a typical addition.
- HomeGuide, house remodeling cost and the Angi guide to adding a primary bedroom and bath: primary suite additions, which vary widely with size and finishes.
- Houston-area contractor and design guides such as Sweeten's Houston kitchen guide and Houston bathroom guide publish local ranges. Mid-range Houston bathrooms are often quoted at about $16,000 to $35,000.
- The National Kitchen & Bath Association publishes design guidelines and industry research; we used its guidance on typical kitchen and bath planning but did not take a price from it.
Sources disagree, partly because scopes differ. These are typical ranges, not quotes: replace our rates with local bids as soon as you have them.
Before you commit
- Get at least three itemized bids, and compare scope line by line.
- Permits are required for most structural, electrical, plumbing and addition work. Check with your building department. In Houston, see the Houston Permitting Center.
- In older homes, ask about lead paint, asbestos and old wiring before demolition. These raise cost and can add contingency.
- Resale ratios shrink when a remodel is far above the neighborhood's price level. Talk to a local agent before an upscale remodel.