What a renovation really costs, in your city.

It depends on the room and the metro. A mid range kitchen renovation runs roughly $45,000 to $85,000 nationally, a bathroom $22,000 to $40,000, and a finished basement $25,000 to $55,000. Pick your city above for local ranges that account for labor rates and permit costs.

A bathroom is typically 4 to 8 weeks on site, a kitchen 8 to 14 weeks, and a whole home renovation several months. Add 2 to 4 weeks up front for design, permits, and material ordering before demolition starts.

Usually yes for anything that moves plumbing or electrical, removes a wall, or changes the building envelope. Cosmetic work like paint and flooring often does not. Each city page lists the local permitting authority and licensing rules.

Check the license and insurance, ask for references on similar recent jobs, get a written itemized estimate with exclusions, and use a milestone payment schedule rather than a large deposit. Our hiring guide walks through the full process.

Exterior work such as siding, roofing, and a new front door usually returns the most per dollar at resale, followed by minor kitchen and bathroom updates. Full luxury remodels return a smaller percentage but raise the ceiling on sale price.