When planning a renovation, knowing what kind of investment is required can be helpful. We are often asked, "How much will my renovation cost?"; however, we are always hesitant to give a number. This is for a number of reasons:
Without seeing your home, it is so hard for us to determine the scope of work.
Proper pricing takes a lot more time than you would think. It includes research, selections, and many hours of work.
Pricing is dependent on so many factors, including the finish level and even the client’s ability to make decisions.
That being said, we recently collaborated with an AMR Design Preferred Contractor, Tania Bosch of Bouwen Construction to help answer that question!
Tania Bosch has been in the construction industry since 2006 and started her own company in 2020. We have worked with her on projects in the past and look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come. For more information on Bouwen Construction, please visit https://www.bouwenconstruction.ca/
Renovation Costs: Introduction to Investment Education
“We would ALWAYS recommend that a client not rely on unit rates for projects. Preliminary pricing should be prepared with consideration to what a client has indicated their wish list is.
I often use a car analogy with a client:
1. Basic Ford 2. Fully loaded Honda 3. Mercedes
If you don’t have a baseline to work against, then it is almost impossible to have a relevant framework for pricing! For this reason, it is also helpful to have the entire project team participate in project planning from as early on in the process as possible.
The pricing I have outlined can yield a beautiful finished product with some key custom features. That being said, I have worked on kitchens where the millwork alone was about $350,000…before anything else was contemplated! The right team and yield great results regardless of budget.
I would say the below works on properties that are in the $750,000 – $2,000,000 range.
All numbers below include contractor fees.” –
Tania Bosch, Owner Bouwen Construction
Whole Home Renovation Costs
$400,000 – $500,000
This pricing assumes:
some exterior changes
window replacement
kitchen renovations (see above)
bathroom renovations (see above)
flooring replaced
interior drywall
electrical and mechanical upgrades and modifications.
This could also include a small addition.
Main Floor Renovation Costs
$300,000 – $350,000 (based on approx. 1200 – 1500 sq. ft.)
This would include the redevelopment of a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, flooring, paint, finishing carpentry replacement, relocation of some space, new windows, and new custom millwork throughout.
Kitchen Renovation Costs
$120,000 – $150,000
This pricing assumes:
new flooring
custom millwork
under cabinet lighting
replacing appliances
solid surface counters
lighting
modifying the plumbing and electrical.
Basement Renovation Costs
$90,000 – $115,000 (based on 1250 sq.ft.)
This would include:
bedrooms
a bathroom
open area or gym
a millwork allowance in the main area and bathroom
carpet in the main area
custom tiled tub or shower surround in the bathroom
Bedrooms / Upper Floor Renovation Costs
$130,000 – $160,000
This would be a similar price point to a kitchen renovation, assuming two bathrooms are redone and the balance of living space is updated.
Full Bathroom Renovation Costs
$40,000- $50,000
This pricing assumes that the space is completely demolished and includes:
new drywall
mechanical and electrical modifications with fixtures
plumbing (think Kohler or similar)
a free-standing tub
custom shower
heated floors
custom millwork.
Powder Room Renovation Costs
$20,000 -$30,000
This pricing assumes that the space is completely demolished, and includes:
new drywall
mechanical
electrical with fixtures
plumbing (think Kohler or similar)
heated floors
custom millwork to suit the space.
Renovation Costs: What About Design Fees?
Design fees typically start at $10,000 and up for a renovation. On a renovation of $400,000, fees average $25,000, assuming we are designing for the renovation and sourcing a full furnishing and decor package (like the professional photos in our portfolio).
We strongly believe in investing in the lifestyle you want to live. We recommend finishing a space completely before moving onto another part of the home. To fully enjoy their spaces once the renovations are complete, we encourage our clients to invest wisely in a full plan.
Decorating a whole home is much more involved than designing a floorplan and hard finishes, as there are actually many more decisions to be made than there are on the renovation side.
Furniture and decor take about ⅔ of the time but are necessary for the photo-ready personalized space that you will love for life. Working with a designer means tapping into
our professional expertise to prioritize what is most important and what will give you the best return on investment.
Phasing Renovations (aka how to get everything you want)
Some clients prefer completing larger renovations in phases for financial reasons. With this option, we can develop a cohesive plan for the whole home but execute it over time, so you are doing it the “right” way.
If the goal is to have a fully finished, renovated and decorated home, it is perfectly reasonable to expect the full project to take a number of years – not only for financial reasons but also for your own quality of life! (After all, who wants to live on a construction site?)
Renovation Costs and Working With AMR Design
While this is an overview of the investment required for renovations, remember that each project is unique and costs can vary based on supply and demand, contractor choice, and even the client’s role.
When you work with AMR Design, we provide a comprehensive service that includes both design and construction management. This means that you can be as hands-on or hands-off as you like – we will guide you through the process every step of the way.
We pride ourselves in being honest and transparent with our clients, and we will work with you to create a custom plan that fits your needs, budget, and timeline.
To learn more about working with us on your next renovation project, contact us today!