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Renovation Cost Estimator
Estimate a kitchen, bath, basement or addition project by scope, finish level and region.
Kitchen remodel in Columbus
$35,500–$51,000
A 200 sq ft kitchen remodel at the mid-range finish level, with everything stays put. Construction is 83% of the budget and the permit and 18% contingency are the rest. Expect bids themselves to land between $29,500 and $42,500.
- Budget this figureConstruction, permit and contingency, all in
- $42,000
- Cost per square foot200 sq ft at the mid-range finish level
- $209/sq ft
- Construction subtotalThe number a contractor's bid would show
- $35,000
- Contingency at 18%Not a cushion you get to keep — expect to spend most of it
- $6,400
| Line | Category | Share of build | Likely amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | Materials and fixtures | 23.5% | $8,200 |
| Carpentry and cabinet setting | Labor | 15.9% | $5,500 |
| Electrical | Plumbing, electrical, HVAC | 9.9% | $3,400 |
| Countertops | Materials and fixtures | 8.5% | $3,000 |
| Drywall, paint and trim | Labor | 8.1% | $2,800 |
| Plumbing | Plumbing, electrical, HVAC | 7.7% | $2,700 |
| Tile and flooring labor | Labor | 7.1% | $2,500 |
| Appliances | Materials and fixtures | 6.4% | $2,200 |
| Flooring and tile material | Materials and fixtures | 4.3% | $1,500 |
| Demolition and protection | Labor | 4.2% | $1,500 |
| Ventilation and make-up air | Plumbing, electrical, HVAC | 4.4% | $1,500 |
| Construction subtotal | 100.0% | $35,000 |
| Line | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Materials and fixtures | $15,000 | Cabinetry, tile, fixtures, appliances — the finish-level decision |
| Labor | $12,500 | Carpentry, demolition, drywall and finish trades at Columbus rates |
| Plumbing, electrical, HVAC | $7,600 | Rough-in stays where it is, which is the cheapest version of this job |
| Permit and plan review | $600 | Typical fee for this scope. Your jurisdiction sets the real number |
| Contingency (18%) | $6,400 | For what opening the walls reveals |
| Budget | $42,000 | $35,500–$51,000 |
| Finish level | Construction | All in | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder grade | $26,500 | $32,000 | $160/sq ft |
| Mid-range (selected) | $35,000 | $42,000 | $209/sq ft |
| High-end | $46,000 | $55,000 | $276/sq ft |
| Luxury | $64,000 | $76,000 | $380/sq ft |
| Builder grade to luxury, same footprint | $44,000 |
What actually causes the overrun
In residential work the overrun is almost never the thing you chose — it is what the demolition found and what the code now requires. The recurring four are: wiring or plumbing that has to be replaced once it is exposed, a code upgrade the permit triggers in rooms you were not renovating, a layout change agreed to verbally after the bid, and selections upgraded mid-job because the sample looked different in the room. The first two are why the contingency line exists. The last two are inside your control, and they are the ones that show up on the invoice as change orders.
Keeping the fixtures in place is doing a lot of work here
Holding the sink, the appliance walls and the drain locations where they are keeps the mechanical share of this job to $7,600. A new layout on the same footprint would add roughly $8,300 before a single upgraded finish.
What this estimate deliberately leaves out
Structural changes, code upgrades the work itself triggers, and hazardous material abatement are all excluded — they are real, common and impossible to price without seeing the house. Design and engineering fees are also outside this figure, and an addition or a suite will need drawings. Treat the range as what to expect from bids on an average-complexity project, then get three of them on one written scope.
What this assumes
- Ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing by finish level for a project of average complexity.
- Includes a contingency allowance, which every renovation budget requires.
- Structural changes, code upgrades triggered by the work, and hazardous material abatement are excluded.
Important
Renovations of older homes routinely uncover knob-and-tube wiring, failed plumbing, asbestos or structural issues that trigger required upgrades. Budget a contingency of 15 to 20% and expect to use part of it.
Understanding the result
Finish level dominates the total
The same kitchen footprint can run $25,000 or $90,000 with identical labor. Cabinetry, countertop and appliance selections drive the difference. Set the finish level before you set the budget, because the two are the same decision.
Moving plumbing and electrical is the expensive part
Keeping fixtures and appliances in place holds costs down dramatically. Relocating a sink, a gas line or a panel means opening walls, new rough-in, additional permits and inspection. A layout change is almost always the largest avoidable line item.
You may also need
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Related trades
- CarpenterFrame, finish and build the structures and interiors of residential and commercial buildings.
- ElectricianInstall and maintain the power, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and industrial plants.
- PlumberInstall and repair the water supply, drainage, gas and fixture systems that keep buildings habitable.