So, you’re considering having your home remodeled. You have some ideas of how you would like it to look and how it should function in the future, but now comes the big question: what would it cost to have the updates done by a professional? 

Hiring a professional to do a home improvement project is much like buying a car. No, I’m not saying that contractors are like the stereotypical used car salesman, with the high pressure sales pitches, the lies, the cheap suits, and the slicked back hair (we’ve all heard stories, though...). 

What I’m saying is that when you are buying a car, there is a huge selection of different models and options, and they all come with completely different price tags. If you asked me to tell you what a car costs, I would have to say, “it depends”. Are you looking for a base model Kia, with no optional accessories? Or, are you looking to get a Honda, with a handful of upgrades? Maybe you even have your heart set on a Lincoln, and you are going to get it with every option they offer! 

Most of us would love to have a Lincoln, but few of us can actually afford one. So, we compromise and choose a car that will best fit our needs based on the budget we have. Some of us buy Kias, some of us buy Hondas, and a very small handful of us buy Lincolns.

When you are buying a car, you have a pretty good idea of what price point each manufacturer is selling their cars at. So, you only go to dealerships that are selling cars within your price range. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t how it works with contractors. Most contractors are selling cars from many different manufacturers (to use the car analogy), with a huge range of price points. It is often the same contractor installing a bathtub, for example, whether the tub costs $500 or $5000.

Adding to that, every house is different, and has its own unique challenges. It is very difficult to accurately estimate what a project will cost without knowing what the specific challenges will be. Most contractors aren’t comfortable estimating a project before they inspect the building and make a note of its unique challenges.

To top it all off, every contractor prices their work differently! Every company has different overhead costs based on their specific situation. So, the price you get from one contractor will be different from every other contractor you talk to! (If we only consider legitimate companies, most of the prices are going to at least be in the same basic price range) 

All of these factors can make the whole process of setting a reasonable budget for a project incredibly challenging!

The good news is that, while there are many variables and challenges in each home and every remodeling project, there are also many similarities. While it may be impossible to estimate the exact cost of a project without considering all of the variables, we can still look at similar projects to get a rough “ballpark” estimate. This way, we can make sure you’re not picking out a Lincoln when you have only budgeted for a Kia. 

Let’s go over a few different “average” projects:

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

Each project will be different based on the house, the design, and the scope of work, but here are some rough ideas of what kitchen remodels will cost when they are done by our company in Dover, NH.

Extensive kitchen remodel

An extensive kitchen expansion with walls being moved to extend the kitchen space, new wiring installed, plumbing being moved, new drywall, new flooring, new lighting, new cabinetry with an island, quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, new appliances, and a fresh coat of paint throughout.

With high quality materials, like solid wood cabinets, quartz countertops, tile or hardwood flooring, and high quality workmanship, a project like this will generally cost between $180,000 and $120,000. High end materials, like custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops, or top of the line appliances can easily bring the budget to $200,000 or more. The sky is the limit on the upper end, there are thousands of amazing products and materials out there, and it is easy to find hundreds of exciting products to add to the project, if you have budget to spare.

Builder-grade kitchen remodel

A simple kitchen renovation in the existing kitchen space: no flooring replacement, no doors or windows being replaced, no walls moved, no plumbing moved. Just remove the old cabinetry, install new cabinetry, install a new countertop, install a new backsplash, install new appliances, & apply a fresh coat of paint. 

With the use of builder grade cabinetry, a builder grade countertop, & inexpensive appliances, a project like this will start at around $50,000.

Upgrading to solid wood cabinetry will add $15,000-$20,000, granite or quartz countertops can add $5000-$10,000+, & upgraded appliances can add $3,000 or more to that cost.

Average kitchen remodel

Most kitchen remodels will fall somewhere between these two projects. Normally, we aren’t doing as much work as we outlined in the extensive remodel, but we are often asked to do more than just the simple renovation. We will often replace the flooring, or move the sink, or add some more lighting, or add an island, for example, but we seldom need to move walls and rebuild the entire kitchen space. 

A good budget for an average mid-grade kitchen remodel will be around  $120,000 to $90,000, depending on the scope of work and your preferences in cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and other products.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

High end master bathroom remodel

With new walls framed for a shower stall, subfloor replaced, new tile flooring with floor heat installed, a new whirlpool or air tub with a stone slab top, a tiled shower stall, new toilet, new vanity, new medicine cabinet, new lighting, new vent fan, & fresh paint throughout.

With the use of high-end porcelain tile, an air tub, custom vanity, & high end fixtures, a project like this will start at around $150,000 and go up from there.  

Just like the kitchen, you can invest as much as you like. We’ve had clients invest well over $250,000 into a master bathroom with all the bells and whistles you can imagine! The sky really is the limit when it comes to bathroom options!

builder grade bathroom remodel

On the lower end, a simple bathroom renovation: no walls being moved; no doors or windows replaced; no plumbing moved; just install new vinyl tile flooring; replace the drywall; install a new fiberglass tub with a fiberglass surround; install a new vent fan, medicine cabinet, & vanity light; install a new toilet; paint the ceiling, walls, & trims. 

The budget for a project like this with a fiberglass tub & surround, vinyl tile flooring, a builder grade vanity, & inexpensive lighting and faucets, will be approximately $50,000 - $40,000.

Average bathroom remodel

Most bathroom remodels will end up somewhere between the two projects we laid out. A good budget for a high-quality bathroom remodel will be around $70,000 to $50,000. A large master bath will be considerably more, usually in the $90,000 to $70,000 range.

How much do built-ins cost?

Built in cabinetry is tricky, every request for a built in is different, so estimating isn’t as simple as kitchens and bathrooms. That said, there is very little custom cabinetry that can be done for less than $10,000. Most closets, mudrooms, or similarly sized custom projects are going to cost between $20,000 and $30,000+. The size of the cabinetry, the material, whether it is stain grade or paint grade, and the intricacy of any organizational features will all have an effect on the cost.

How much does it cost to hire a carpenter for a project?

Again, it depends. Every home improvement project is different. Skilled labor isn’t cheap, and building materials are expensive as well. It costs about $2000 to hire a 2 man carpentry crew for a day, and most projects will take multiple days. You then have to consider the material costs for everything they will need in order to get the project done. 

In Conclusion

As you can see, home improvement projects come in many different shapes and sizes. Prices vary greatly based on many factors, including project scope, materials specifications, and project location. There isn’t a one size fits all answer to the question of what it costs to hire a professional to complete a project for you. Hopefully, we have been able to help you get a better understanding of what some of the options are.

Our wish is that this information will allow you to plan your project with a better understanding of what remodeling projects generally cost in the New Hampshire seacoast area. Hopefully, you will have a good idea of what to expect when you decide to contact a professional to bring your plans to life!