Home Improvement Costs
The following costs are intended as ballpark estimates for repairs and/or improvements to a typical three bedroom home. Our experience has shown that actual contractor quotations can vary by as much as 300%. Naturally, the quality of workmanship and materials will influence costs. The complexity of the job, accessibility and even economic conditions can also alter actual costs.
Roofing
Flashings / ChimneysInstall conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with conventional asphalt shingles$2.75- $5.50 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with premium quality asphalt shingles$5.00 - $10.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles$9.00 - $18.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof$10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Strip and replace single-ply membrane$10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Reflash typical skylight or chimney$500.00 - $1000.00
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line$25.00 - $50.00 per row of bricks (min. $400)
Rebuild typical single flue chimney above roof line$200.00 - $400.00 per lin.ft. (min. $1000)
Exterior
Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts$5.00 - $10.00 per lin.ft. (min. $500)
Install aluminum soffits and fascia$8.00 - $16.00 per lin.ft.Install aluminum or vinyl siding$6.00 - $12.00 per sq.ft.
Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar)$3.00 - 6.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar)$5.00 - $10.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Parge foundation walls$3.00 - $6.00 per sq.ft.
Dampproof foundation walls and install weeping tile$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Install a deck$25.00 - $50.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Resurface existing asphalt driveway$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install interlocking brick driveway$8.00 - $16.00 per sq.ft.
Rebuild exterior basement stairwell$5000.00 and up
Build detached garage$70.00 - $140.00 per sq.ft.
Build retaining wall (wood)$20.00 - $40.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Build retaining wall (concrete)$30.00 - $60.00 per sq.ft. (min $500)
Painting (trim only)$2000.00 - $4000.00 and up
Painting (trim and wall surfaces)$5000.00 and up
StructureUnderpin one corner of house$5000.00 and up
Underpin or add foundations$300.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $5000)
Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete$60.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $2000)
Install basement support post with proper foundation$800.00 - $1600.00
Perform chemical treatment for termites$2000.00 and up
Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation$400.00 - $800.00
Electrical
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (including new panel)$1200.00 - $3000.00
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (if suitably sized panel already exists)$800.00 - $1600.00
Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps$1700.00 - $3500.00
Install new circuit breaker panel$700.00 - $1400.00
Replace circuit breaker (20 amp or less)$100.00 - $200.00
Add 120 volt circuit (microwave, freezer, etc.)$150.00 - $300.00
Add 240 volt circuit (dryer, stove, etc.)$300.00 - $600.00
Add conventional receptacle$200.00 - $400.00
Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle$70.00 -$140.00
Replace conventional receptacle with aluminum compatible type (CO/ALR)(assuming several are required)$60.00 - $120.00 ea.
Upgrade entire house with aluminum compatible receptacles, connectors, etc.$1000.00 - $2000.00
Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity (assuming electrician already there)$5.00 - $10.00 ea.
Replace knob & tube wiring with conventional wiring (per room)$1000.00 - $2000.00
Heating
Install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace$2500.00 - $5000.00
Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace$3500.00 - $7000.00
Install humidifier$300.00 - $600.00
Install electronic air filter$800.00 - $1600.00
Install mid-efficiency boiler$3500.00 - $7000.00
Install high-efficiency boiler $6000.00 - $12000.00
Install circulating pump$400.00 - $600.00
Install chimney liner for gas appliance$500.00 - $1000.00
Install chimney liner for oil appliance$700.00 - $1800.00
Install programmable thermostat$200.00 - $400.00
Replace indoor oil tank$1200.00 - $2500.00
Remove oil tank from basement$600.00 and up
Remove abandoned underground oil tank$10000.00 and up
Replace radiator valve$300.00 - $600.00
Add electric baseboard heater$250.00 - $500.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (bungalow)$10000.00 - $20000.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two storey)$15000.00 - $30000.00
Clean ductwork$300.00 - $600.00Cooling / Heat Pumps
Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system$3000.00 and up
Add heat pump to forced-air system$4000.00 - $8000.00
Replace heat pump or air conditioning condenser$1200.00 - $2500.00
Install independent air conditioning system$10000.00 - $20000.00
Install ductless air conditioning system$3000.00 - $7000.00
Insulation
Insulate open attic to modern standards$0.80 - $1.60 per sq.ft.
Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Improve attic ventilation$30.00 - $60.00 per vent
Plumbing
Replace galvanized piping with copper (2 story with one bathroom)$2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace water line to house$2000.00 and up
Replace toilet$500.00 and up
Replace basin, including faucets$750.00 and up
Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile and faucets$2500.00 and up
Install whirlpool bath, including faucets$3500.00 and up
Retile bathtub enclosure$1000.00 - $2000.00
Replace leaking shower stall pan$1000.00 - $2000.00
Rebuild tile shower stall$2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace laundry tubs$400.00 - $800.00
Remodel four-piece bathroom completely$6000.00 - $50000.00
Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers$5000.00 and up
Install submersible pump$1000.00 and upInstall suction or jet pump$700.00 and up
Install modest basement bathroom$6000.00 and up
Interior
Add drywall over plaster$4.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft.
Sand and refinish hardwood floors$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install replacement windows$40.00 - $120.00 per sq.ft.
Install storm window$200.00 - $400.00
Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed-in)$3000.00 and up
Install zero-clearance firelace (including chimney)$3500.00 and up
Install glass doors on fireplace$300.00 and up
Install skylight$3000.00
Remodel kitchen completely$10,000.00 - $110000.00
Install gas fireplace$3500.00 and up
The following costs are intended as ballpark estimates for repairs and/or improvements to a typical three bedroom home. Our experience has shown that actual contractor quotations can vary by as much as 300%. Naturally, the quality of workmanship and materials will influence costs. The complexity of the job, accessibility and even economic conditions can also alter actual costs.
Roofing
Flashings / ChimneysInstall conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with conventional asphalt shingles$2.75- $5.50 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with premium quality asphalt shingles$5.00 - $10.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles$9.00 - $18.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof$10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Strip and replace single-ply membrane$10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Reflash typical skylight or chimney$500.00 - $1000.00
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line$25.00 - $50.00 per row of bricks (min. $400)
Rebuild typical single flue chimney above roof line$200.00 - $400.00 per lin.ft. (min. $1000)
Exterior
Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts$5.00 - $10.00 per lin.ft. (min. $500)
Install aluminum soffits and fascia$8.00 - $16.00 per lin.ft.Install aluminum or vinyl siding$6.00 - $12.00 per sq.ft.
Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar)$3.00 - 6.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar)$5.00 - $10.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Parge foundation walls$3.00 - $6.00 per sq.ft.
Dampproof foundation walls and install weeping tile$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Install a deck$25.00 - $50.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Resurface existing asphalt driveway$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install interlocking brick driveway$8.00 - $16.00 per sq.ft.
Rebuild exterior basement stairwell$5000.00 and up
Build detached garage$70.00 - $140.00 per sq.ft.
Build retaining wall (wood)$20.00 - $40.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Build retaining wall (concrete)$30.00 - $60.00 per sq.ft. (min $500)
Painting (trim only)$2000.00 - $4000.00 and up
Painting (trim and wall surfaces)$5000.00 and up
StructureUnderpin one corner of house$5000.00 and up
Underpin or add foundations$300.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $5000)
Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete$60.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $2000)
Install basement support post with proper foundation$800.00 - $1600.00
Perform chemical treatment for termites$2000.00 and up
Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation$400.00 - $800.00
Electrical
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (including new panel)$1200.00 - $3000.00
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (if suitably sized panel already exists)$800.00 - $1600.00
Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps$1700.00 - $3500.00
Install new circuit breaker panel$700.00 - $1400.00
Replace circuit breaker (20 amp or less)$100.00 - $200.00
Add 120 volt circuit (microwave, freezer, etc.)$150.00 - $300.00
Add 240 volt circuit (dryer, stove, etc.)$300.00 - $600.00
Add conventional receptacle$200.00 - $400.00
Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle$70.00 -$140.00
Replace conventional receptacle with aluminum compatible type (CO/ALR)(assuming several are required)$60.00 - $120.00 ea.
Upgrade entire house with aluminum compatible receptacles, connectors, etc.$1000.00 - $2000.00
Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity (assuming electrician already there)$5.00 - $10.00 ea.
Replace knob & tube wiring with conventional wiring (per room)$1000.00 - $2000.00
Heating
Install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace$2500.00 - $5000.00
Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace$3500.00 - $7000.00
Install humidifier$300.00 - $600.00
Install electronic air filter$800.00 - $1600.00
Install mid-efficiency boiler$3500.00 - $7000.00
Install high-efficiency boiler $6000.00 - $12000.00
Install circulating pump$400.00 - $600.00
Install chimney liner for gas appliance$500.00 - $1000.00
Install chimney liner for oil appliance$700.00 - $1800.00
Install programmable thermostat$200.00 - $400.00
Replace indoor oil tank$1200.00 - $2500.00
Remove oil tank from basement$600.00 and up
Remove abandoned underground oil tank$10000.00 and up
Replace radiator valve$300.00 - $600.00
Add electric baseboard heater$250.00 - $500.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (bungalow)$10000.00 - $20000.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two storey)$15000.00 - $30000.00
Clean ductwork$300.00 - $600.00Cooling / Heat Pumps
Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system$3000.00 and up
Add heat pump to forced-air system$4000.00 - $8000.00
Replace heat pump or air conditioning condenser$1200.00 - $2500.00
Install independent air conditioning system$10000.00 - $20000.00
Install ductless air conditioning system$3000.00 - $7000.00
Insulation
Insulate open attic to modern standards$0.80 - $1.60 per sq.ft.
Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Improve attic ventilation$30.00 - $60.00 per vent
Plumbing
Replace galvanized piping with copper (2 story with one bathroom)$2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace water line to house$2000.00 and up
Replace toilet$500.00 and up
Replace basin, including faucets$750.00 and up
Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile and faucets$2500.00 and up
Install whirlpool bath, including faucets$3500.00 and up
Retile bathtub enclosure$1000.00 - $2000.00
Replace leaking shower stall pan$1000.00 - $2000.00
Rebuild tile shower stall$2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace laundry tubs$400.00 - $800.00
Remodel four-piece bathroom completely$6000.00 - $50000.00
Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers$5000.00 and up
Install submersible pump$1000.00 and upInstall suction or jet pump$700.00 and up
Install modest basement bathroom$6000.00 and up
Interior
Add drywall over plaster$4.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft.
Sand and refinish hardwood floors$2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install replacement windows$40.00 - $120.00 per sq.ft.
Install storm window$200.00 - $400.00
Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed-in)$3000.00 and up
Install zero-clearance firelace (including chimney)$3500.00 and up
Install glass doors on fireplace$300.00 and up
Install skylight$3000.00
Remodel kitchen completely$10,000.00 - $110000.00
Install gas fireplace$3500.00 and up
