How Much Does Your Home Project Really Cost?

The average roof replacement costs $9,536 nationally. Asphalt shingles run $4-$9/sq ft installed, while metal roofing costs $6-$14/sq ft. Your actual cost depends heavily on roof size, pitch, material choice, and location.

Solar panels cost $2.50-$3.80 per watt installed in 2026. A typical 6kW residential system runs $15,000-$23,000 before the 30% federal tax credit. Our calculator factors in your electric bill, roof orientation, and local sun hours to estimate payback period.

Central AC replacement averages $5,000-$8,000. Heat pumps run $7,000-$12,000. Furnace + AC combos cost $8,000-$14,000. Mini-splits are $3,000-$8,000 per zone. System sizing is based on your home's square footage and climate zone.

Kitchen remodels range from $15,000 for a basic refresh to $50,000+ for a full gut renovation. Cabinets typically account for 30-40% of the total, countertops 10-15%, and labor 20-30%. Material quality (stock vs. custom cabinets, laminate vs. granite) drives the biggest price swings.

A 300 sq ft composite deck costs $9,000-$15,000. Pressure-treated wood runs $18/sq ft, cedar $25/sq ft, and composite $35/sq ft installed. Elevated decks cost 25% more than ground-level due to structural framing and footings.

Interior painting averages $2-$4/sq ft. Exterior painting runs $3-$6/sq ft. A full interior paint job for a 2,000 sq ft home costs $4,000-$8,000. Prep work (sanding, priming, patching) can add 20-40% to the base cost.

Wood privacy fencing costs $20-$35/linear foot installed. Vinyl runs $25-$45/ft, chain link $15-$25/ft, and aluminum $30-$60/ft. A typical 150 ft fence costs $3,000-$7,000 depending on material and height.

A mid-range bathroom remodel costs $12,000-$22,000 for a 50 sq ft bathroom. Walk-in showers add $3,000-$7,000, double vanities $1,500-$3,500, and floor-to-ceiling tile $2,000-$5,000. Plumbing and electrical rough-in can add $3,000+ if moving fixtures.

Hardwood flooring runs $6-$12/sq ft installed. Engineered hardwood $5-$10/sq ft. Luxury vinyl plank $3-$7/sq ft. Tile $4-$10/sq ft. Carpet is cheapest at $2-$5/sq ft. Subfloor condition and old flooring removal affect final cost.

Replacement windows cost $400-$800 each installed for vinyl. Wood windows run $600-$1,200 each. Fiberglass $500-$1,000. A whole-house replacement (10-15 windows) typically costs $5,000-$12,000 for vinyl or $8,000-$18,000 for wood.

Vinyl siding costs $4-$7/sq ft installed. Fiber cement $6-$11/sq ft. Wood $7-$12/sq ft. A typical 2,000 sq ft home costs $8,000-$14,000 for vinyl or $12,000-$22,000 for fiber cement (James Hardie).

Concrete driveways cost $5-$10/sq ft. Patios run $4-$8/sq ft. Walkways $6-$12/sq ft. A 400 sq ft concrete patio averages $2,000-$4,000. Stamped and colored concrete adds 30-50% to the base price.

Blown-in attic insulation costs $1.50-$3/sq ft. Spray foam runs $3-$7/sq ft. Batt insulation $1-$2/sq ft. Insulating a 1,000 sq ft attic typically costs $1,500-$4,000 and can reduce heating/cooling bills by 15-25%.

Finishing a basement costs $30-$75/sq ft on average. A 500 sq ft standard finish runs $20,000-$35,000. Adding a bathroom ($5,000-$15,000), wet bar ($3,000-$8,000), or egress window ($2,000-$5,000) increases the total significantly.

Tree trimming costs $150-$500 for small trees (under 25 ft), $300-$1,000 for medium trees (25-50 ft), and $700-$2,000+ for large trees (50+ ft). Hardwoods cost 15-20% more than softwoods. Emergency and hazardous tree work commands a 50-100% premium.

Stump grinding costs $5-$8 per diameter inch, with a typical minimum charge of $150-$200. An 18-inch stump averages $200-$350. Multiple stumps get bulk discounts of 30-40% per additional stump. Deep grinding (for building on the site) costs 50-65% more.

A steel garage door replacement costs $800-$2,500 installed. Insulated doors add $200-$600. A new opener adds $300-$500. Garage door replacement has one of the highest ROIs of any home improvement at 90-97% cost recovery on resale.

Tank water heaters cost $800-$2,000 installed. Tankless units run $2,000-$4,500. Heat pump water heaters cost $2,500-$5,500. Gas models have lower operating costs ($350/year) vs. electric ($450/year), but heat pump models are most efficient long-term.

Plumbing repairs range from $200 for a simple fix to $5,000+ for repiping. Water heater replacement averages $1,500-$3,000. Sewer line repair runs $2,000-$7,000. A new bathroom rough-in costs $1,500-$4,000 for supply and drain lines.

Panel upgrades cost $1,500-$4,000. Adding circuits runs $200-$500 each. A full home rewire costs $8,000-$15,000 for a 2,000 sq ft house. Smart home wiring adds $1,000-$3,000. Always hire a licensed electrician for safety and code compliance.

Basic landscaping costs $2-$5/sq ft. Moderate projects with hardscape and planting run $5-$12/sq ft. Full landscape design with irrigation, patios, and plantings costs $10-$25/sq ft. A 2,000 sq ft yard typically runs $4,000-$15,000 for a moderate makeover.