The cost of home renovation might seem overwhelming for homeowners, but you can also save thousands of dollars if you undertake DIY home renovation. In the US, if you are renovating your house yourself, the home renovation cost starts from $35,499. It can increase based on your preferences and additional factors, such as requirements for professional tools, waste disposal systems, permits, etc.

DIY home renovation becomes much easier when you have all the supplies in one place. For example, when working on your house’s exterior, a solar generator like those from Jackery can be your ideal companion for power needs. It can run multiple devices, such as power drills, chainsaws, hammer drills, electric mixers, and lighting.

Factors Influencing Home Renovation Costs

The cost of renovating your home depends on several factors. From the complexity or scope of the project to the time and resources required, every factor plays an important role in the overall cost.

Scope of the Project

You can estimate the net renovation cost by analyzing the project scope. For example, renovating a kitchen or a bathroom will be less costly than adding a new room to the house. A DIY bedroom renovation costs $3,000 to $6000, whereas a complete room addition can cost between $8,600 and $21,600.

Size and Layout of the Home

The regular size of a house in the US is 2,177 square feet, though it can fluctuate. If yours is large, it will require more material and labor costs, boosting the renovation cost and vice versa. For example, the average cost of renovating a living room of 250 square feet lies between $2,500 and $15,000.

Quality of Materials

Many homeowners tend to use affordable and cheap materials to save money. This compromises the safety of the residents and the ROI of the renovation. Excellent-quality materials like hardwood floors, a family room mural, or custom kitchen cabinets can be expensive upfront but can last for an extended time.

Geographic Location​

In highly populated major cities, such as New York or San Francisco, labor and material costs can be high ($25 and $150 per square foot). You can surely save on labor costs with DIY, but material costs will still be high. In contrast, the cost of renovation in areas like Jacksonville, Florida, will be low ($15 and $60 per square foot).

Average Home Renovation Costs: Kitchen, Bathroom, & More

Your home may have a lot of rooms and open spaces. Whether you are renovating a part of your house or your entire home, a clear understanding of the home renovation cost is crucial. Let’s break it down space by space.

Kitchen Renovation Costs

The kitchen is one of the primary spaces that increases the value of your house and attracts positive reviews from the guests. When you DIY your house kitchen, some elements need to pop out differently.

Cabinetry and Countertops: Your kitchen cabinets can be under the counter or across the walls. Moreover, you may also need drawers for quick access to cutlery and crockery. For their material, it would be smart to go for water—and mold-resistant materials, like plywood. Kitchen countertops look the best when they are made from a sturdy and easy-to-clean material. You can choose between granite, quartz, or marble.

Appliances: Replacing old appliances with new, smart devices can improve the kitchen's appearance. These appliances can include built-in refrigerators, commercial-grade cooktops, and built-in microwaves.

Flooring and Backsplash: Moisture-resistant flooring and backsplash can revive your kitchen and save you a lot of money in the long run. It is best to go for porcelain and quartz as they are resistant to wear and tear.

Note: The cost mentioned in the tables is just an estimate, and it is subject to change based on factors such as material quality, location, project scope, and individual preferences.

Bathroom Renovation Costs

The overall cost of renovating a bathroom depends on several factors. These factors include material quality, the number of customizations, premium fixtures, and even add-on amenities like heated floors.

Fixtures and Fittings: Bathroom fittings and fixtures include faucets, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, etc. The cost of these bathroom elements is based on their material quality. You can choose from chrome and stainless steel for faucets, stainless steel for showers, ceramic and porcelain for sinks, and stone and ceramic for sinks.

Tiling and Flooring: When it comes to your bathroom, there are multiple options for tiles. From ceramic and laminate to vinyl and polished concrete, you can choose based on your budget. The cost usually varies from $2 to $22 per square foot.

Plumbing Considerations: Plumbing costs cover everything related to replacing and repairing older plumbing systems to make them fully functional with the new elements. These elements include pipes, water pumps, valves, etc.

Living Room and Bedroom Renovation Costs

The living room and bedroom are where you spend the longest time. Therefore, they need to be cozy, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. However, to achieve this, you need to be strategic about the cost.

Flooring: From carpet to concrete, there are a number of options for flooring material. The price of the carpet flooring is the lowest, while the price of the concrete flooring is the highest. There are also wood, laminate, tiles, and vinyl flooring options.

Painting and Wall Treatments: Whether you choose painting or wall treatment, both can enhance the beauty of your bedroom and living room. However, painting the wall is more cost-effective ($200 - $300) than wall treatments that include wallpapers, raised panels, beadboard paneling, etc.

Lighting and Fixtures: Warm lights are best in the bedroom and living room, as they are easy on the eyes. Some lighting and fixture options you can explore are ceiling fans, LED strips, chandeliers, pendant lights, and bedside table lamps. Besides internal electrical connections, you can rely on a portable solar generator for your power needs.

Exterior Renovation Costs

A lot has to go on the exterior of your house to get maximum ROI from the renovation process. There are some key elements that decide the whole home renovation cost, such as roofing, pavements, landscaping, siding, and painting.

Roofing and Siding: Your house's roofing and siding are its initial impressive features. Make them count by choosing from asphalt roofing, metal roofing, clay and concrete tile roofing, etc. You can also customize the siding by choosing between vinyl, brick, and natural stone materials.

Landscaping: DIYing the landscaping of your house, whether the backyard or the front yard, can be challenging. However, based on your preferences and budget, you can try to implement features such as pavements, gravel, a deck, an outdoor kitchen, a pool, pergolas, firepits, and more.

Painting: Repainting your house exterior is a more cost-effective way to save money on siding and maintenance costs. However, be careful about choosing the exterior paints. For durability and longevity, you can go for latex, oil-based, or elastomeric paints.

Electricity Renovation Costs

When it comes to electrical renovation, an electrician undertakes a number of tasks depending on the homeowner’s requirements, such as installing an outlet, upgrading panel systems, rewiring, and more.

Panel Upgrades: Old panels can become faulty after a certain time and may short circuit too. When you DIY, analyze the current conditions of the panels and then replace them with new ones. Certain types of panels might need replacement at your house, like power control center panels, main lug panels, sub-panels, etc.

Rewiring: Rewiring the whole house is not usually necessary during renovation. However, if you are gut renovating, it becomes crucial.

Installing New Outlets: Whether the rewiring is done or not, installing new outlets can help change the look of your different house spaces.

If you want to have another power supply backup to support you during a short or long-term power outage or renovation process, you can consider building an emergency power supply for your home. These portable devices can generate and store power for later use. 

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a high-capacity essential home battery backup solution that can power most of your devices necessary to handle home renovation. Whether you are working on the interior of the house or the exterior, the generator can easily power electric drills, lights, chainsaws, and other energy-intensive devices.

Hidden Costs in DIY Home Renovations

If you are wondering, this is not all about home renovation cost breakdown, some hidden cost elements can surprise you at the last moment or anytime. To make sure that you are prepared, choose to keep 10-20% of your budget for these costs.

Permit and Inspection Fees: There are some local building codes and regulations that require a permit for house renovation. The cost of these permits varies from $500 to $2,500, and property inspections are also required.

Tool and Equipment Purchases: When you DIY the home renovation process, you need to purchase all the tools and equipment, which will incur a new hidden cost.

Waste Disposal: Most contractors include the waste removal cost in their overall price quote. But if you are into DIY, keep this expense in mind to avoid any surprises in the end.

Unexpected Structural Issues: Some unplanned structural damage may happen while working. For example, a roof falling on the ground or a wall breaking apart. First, stay safe while working and plan for these expenses.

Jackery Solar Generators for Home Renovation

Home renovations often require reliable, portable power, especially when working in areas without easy access to electrical outlets. Whether you’re running power tools, lighting, or temporary heating, a dependable power source can keep your project on track. Jackery is a leading brand that manufactures solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. Jackery Solar Generators offer a clean, quiet, and fuel-free alternative to traditional gas-powered units, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor renovation work. Here are two of the Jackery Solar Generators that are suitable for home renovation projects:

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is an essential home battery backup solution that can power tools and appliances, such as power drills, electric chainsaws, etc. It is designed for extended use, providing long-lasting energy for full-day projects. Thanks to its fast solar recharging capability, you can keep working without relying on gas or wall outlets. The quiet operation makes it a great alternative to noisy fuel generators, ensuring a more comfortable work environment while reducing energy costs.

Appliances Running Time

• Concrete Mixer (2500W) = 1.7H
• Welding Machine (4000W) = 1.1H
• Industrial Air Compressor (3000W) = 1.4H
• Heavy-Duty Table Saw (2200W) = 1.9H
• Tile Saw (2500W) = 1.7H

Customer Review

“This is awesome. I am able to power my entire house for up to 15 hours. Great for power outages.” — Ivan.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 is a versatile, portable power source ideal for short home renovation projects. It can run power tools like drills, saws, and sanders, making it ideal for projects in areas without direct power access. Its compact design and sturdy handles make it easy to move around, whether working indoors, in a garage, or outdoors. The solar-powered generator operates silently and emits no harmful fumes, making it ideal for enclosed workspaces or homes undergoing electrical upgrades.

Appliances Running Time

• Hand Drill (800W) = 2.0H
• Circular Saw (1500W) = 1.1H
• Angle Grinder (900W) = 1.8H
• Air Compressor (1200W) = 1.4H
• Table Saw (1800W) = 54 min

Customer Review

“Using it almost every day to find out the power draw from various appliances in our house. Very happy with the product. Wish we would have had it during Helene. Better than the gas generator. panels work well.” — David H.

Cost-Saving Strategies for DIY Home Renovations

Considering so much data and making a cost-effective home renovation strategy can be overwhelming. However, there are some strategies that you can implement to save on the average home renovation cost.

• Reduce Square Footage: Try to reduce square footage wherever you can, such as by using exterior paint instead of siding on the exterior of the house. Moreover, invest in a better countertop than cabinets.
• Go for Drought-Resistant Landscaping: In the backyard, you can create a rock garden or a plant garden with drought-resistant plants. Instead of fixed furniture, choose foldable furniture for efficient use of space and money.
• Don’t Change All the Appliances: Not all of your kitchen appliances need to be replaced. Try replacing the ones that are heavily used or faulty.
• Use Drywall Internally: If cost is your concern, consider installing drywall on the interior of the house. It is not only cost-effective but also easy to install and fire-resistant.
• Use a Solar Generator: While you DIY your house renovation, try using some heavy electrical devices on a solar generator. Jackery Solar Generators can save a lot on your power bill by acting as a clean source of power for household appliances.

FAQs for Home Renovation Cost

How much does it cost to renovate a house?

The net cost of renovating a house can range between $18,000 and $78,000. Factors such as scope, size, location, and material quality push the cost into the $15 to $150 per square foot bracket.

How much does bathroom remodeling cost?

Remodeling a half bath costs between $1,500 and $15,000, and the master bath renovation costs $7,000 to $30,000.

How much money is needed to renovate a house?

If you are renovating a house, you need at least $20,000 - $80,000, though it might fluctuate depending on its size, location, etc. You must also set aside 10-20% of this amount for any last-minute surprises.

What is the most expensive part of the renovation?

Based on an overall cost analysis of different spaces, the bathroom, kitchen, and exterior of the house can be the most expensive parts of the renovation.

What is the price range for renovation?

The overall range of home renovation costs is $20,000 to $90,000. However, this can vary widely depending on the scope, size, and complexity of the project, as well as the materials used.

Conclusion

It is a wise idea to repair or renovate a damaged area of your house as soon as possible. However, if you plan to remodel or renovate your entire house, it should be done every 5-10 years for minor transformations and every 15-20 years for major remodeling. You must keep the described home renovation cost factors in mind while budgeting. Moreover, when upgrading your house's electrical systems, you can consider opting for essential home backup solutions like Jackery Solar Generators, which can be your savior during a power outage.