Home Renovation Budget Calculator

Add a line item for every room or area of your project, set a contingency percentage and permit fees, and get a realistic total renovation budget — instantly, right in your browser.

📖 How it works & FAQ

Line items — room or area & estimated cost

Contingency (%)

Permits & fees ($)

Why renovation budgets blow up — and how to stop yours

Most remodels don't go over budget because of one big mistake; they creep over through dozens of small surprises — hidden water damage behind a shower wall, out-of-code wiring, a subfloor that has to be replaced before the tile goes down. The fix is simple: budget by line item, then add a contingency reserve on top. This calculator does exactly that. Enter a row for each room or area with its estimated cost, set a contingency percentage (15% is the common starting point), add your expected permit and inspection fees, and it totals everything live. The subtotal, contingency amount and grand total update as you type, so you can test scenarios in seconds — what happens if the kitchen runs $5,000 higher, or if you drop the flooring to next year. Everything runs privately in your browser; nothing is uploaded or saved anywhere.

How to use it

Add a line item for each room or area — kitchen, bathroom, flooring, roof, landscaping — and type in its estimated cost. Use contractor quotes where you have them.
Click + Add line item for more rows, or the × button to remove one.
Set your contingency percentage. 15% suits most projects; older homes and gut renovations often justify 20% or more.
Enter permit & inspection fees, then read your subtotal, contingency reserve and total budget.

FAQ

How much contingency should I add?: 10–15% for cosmetic work on newer homes, 15–20% for typical remodels, and 20–25% for older houses or projects that open up walls, where hidden problems are most likely.
What should count as a line item?: Anything you'd get a separate quote for: each room, plus standalone scopes like roofing, windows, electrical upgrades, appliances or furniture. Smaller, specific items give a more honest total than one big lump.
Do I really need to budget for permits?: Usually, yes. Structural, electrical, plumbing and addition work almost always requires permits, and fees vary widely by city and project value — check your local building department.
Is my data private?: Yes. All math happens in your browser; nothing is sent to a server or stored.

Estimates only, not professional or financial advice; contractor prices, permit rates & fees vary by location and project.