DecidePlan · Home Renovation
How much should I spend on a home renovation?
Here's a typical range, based on common inputs for this category. A comfortable range is $28,800–$36,000, with a sweet spot around $36,000. Stretching goes up to $41,400; past $41,400, more spending rarely buys a better outcome.
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Methodology
A deterministic model based on your answers, not AI guesswork — your financial capacity weighed against category-specific market benchmarks.
Assumptions
- Scope / square footagehigh impact
- Local construction indexmedium impact
- Finish levelhigh impact
- Home value ceilingmedium impact
- Stay horizonlow impact
Data Sources
Category benchmarks are sourced from named industry studies and reputable market data, refined over time.
Last Updated
2026-08 · methodology v2
Renovation Decision Kit
Every renovation money decision, mapped out in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on a home renovation?
It depends heavily on which rooms you're touching and the finish level you're aiming for — a budget-finish bathroom and a high-end one can differ by multiples, not percentages. The free tool's seven questions produce a room-by-room range at the finish level you actually want, not a single blended average.
Does renovation cost scale linearly with square footage?
No — kitchens and bathrooms cost far more per square foot than open living space, because of plumbing, electrical, and fixtures. A renovation budget built on a flat per-square-foot number tends to be wrong precisely where the money actually goes.
What's the difference between the free tool and the $19 Home Renovation Decision Kit?
The free tool gives you a room-by-room range. The kit adds a contractor quote comparison tool, a contingency calculator sized to your project's actual risk, and a payment schedule so you know what's due and when.