For some, the thought of a home renovation [1] is thrilling — a chance to get their hands dirty and really make their mark on their home. For others, the idea feels chaotic and not exactly how they'd want to spend a weekend (or their paychecks). Love them or hate them, one thing's for sure: knowing how much a renovation can and should cost can help you prioritize your remodelling projects, budget accordingly, and be one step closer to having the beautiful home of your dreams [2]. So whether your home's entire exterior needs an overhaul or you just want to refresh a couple of outdated features [3], this is how much you should expect to pay for these common home renovations.
Front Door
Your front door is the first thing people see when they visit your home, and it can increase your home's curb appeal and overall value. Expect a front door installation to cost between $500 to $900 on average, though more expensive doors can cost up to $2,000 to install.
Light Fixtures
If your home is lacking natural light, or you've been meaning to replace those builder-grade lights throughout your home for years, a light fixture upgrade is an affordable home remodel. If you're replacing all the lights in your home, it should cost between $700 to $1,000 for the installation, while a single light fixture installation is between $40 and $120 (both costs are in addition to the price of the fixtures you choose).
Flooring
New floors can be an intimidating home renovation, but they're so worth it! Floors are one of the best home remodels to get a return on your investment, but the cost for a flooring installation varies widely based on the materials. On the low end, carpet installations cost $1,500 on average, while a hardwood flooring installation can cost over $4,000.
Kitchen Countertops
If you want to give your kitchen a functional and stylish upgrade without a full remodel, replacing the kitchen countertops is a great idea. Again, the cost will depend on the material you choose: tile can be as low as $10 per square foot, while granite can run you $50 to $250 per square foot.
Deck or Patio
Over the last few years, outdoor spaces have gone from overlooked to essential living areas. As a result, building a patio or deck in your backyard is one of the best home renovations you can do to increase your home's value. Patios are on the cheaper end, costing as little as $15 per square foot, while decks can cost between $6,000 and $20,000 in all, depending on materials, size, and features.
Roof
Your roof should be replaced about once every 15 years, and it's such an essential part of your home that you're likely to get a high return on your investment. That's great news because the typical cost for a roof installation is between $4,000 and $10,000.
Bathroom Vanity
You don't need to do a full bathroom renovation to completely change the look of the space. Instead, a new bathroom vanity can give you the fresh update you're looking for — as well as all of the extra storage space you've been lacking. A single-sink vanity can cost as little as $50 to $150, but the average cost is more likely to be in the range of $200 to $800. A custom vanity with multiple sinks can cost up to $1,500.
Windows
Windows are one of those home renovations that are more about functionality than aesthetics, but new windows can have a big impact on the way your home feels. Lots of natural light, in addition to better insulation and energy efficiency, mean that window upgrades can be one of the best investments you make for your home. Vinyl window replacements typically cost between $400 to $600, while replacing a wood window can cost between $800 to $1,000.
Siding
Updating the exterior is a great way to put your home's best face forward, making a good first impression on both visitors and future homebuyers. If your siding needs an upgrade, it could cost you between $5,000 and $14,000, depending on the size of your home and the materials you choose.
Taking Down a Wall
Unless you're Joanna Gaines, the thought of taking down a wall in your home can seem intimidating — but it can actually be a relatively straightforward home renovation. If it's a non load-bearing wall, expect to pay around $1,200 to $1,500 for the teardown, drywall, and paint touchup. For load-bearing walls in multi-level homes, the cost is quite a bit higher, at $3,000 to $10,000.
Painting
Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all you need to make your home feel new and reinvigorated, and it's one of the most affordable ways to renovate your home. If you're going the DIY [5] route, painting a room costs, on average, $200 to $300. Having a professional do the work for you can cost $350 to $800, but that doesn't include the cost of the paint, or the cost to paint the trim and ceilings.