For most homeowners, renovations offer a relatively affordable means to boost the value of a property in today’s competitive real estate market. From simple aesthetic changes to complete kitchen makeovers, Royal LePage shows you the investment typically required for remodeling projects that could make your house more appealing to buyers.
The prices listed below are intended to give homeowners a rough idea of the budget required for common home improvement projects. These estimates are approximations intended for informational purposes only – they may vary by region (costs are typically lower in rural areas and Atlantic provinces), and do change regularly. These changes may not be reflected on this page. Your Royal LePage real estate agent can refer you to renovation and remodeling professionals to help you define more precise numbers for your particular project.
QUICK LINKS:
- Top do-it-yourself renovations with best return on investment
- Renovations with best return on investment; professional help may be required
- Detailed interior remodeling costs
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Detailed exterior remodeling costs
- Exterior Doors
- Roofing Systems
- Wall Siding
- Eaves Upgrading
- Fences
- Decks
- Patios
- Skylight/Roof Windows
- Window Replacement
- Driveways/Walkways
- Landscaping
- Garages
- Swimming Pools
Top do-it-yourself renovations with best return on investment
RENOVATION PROJECT APPROXIMATE COST* APPROXIMATE ROI** Paint the interior $1,000 50-100% Replace carpeting with affordable laminate $2,000 (for 1,000 square-foot space) 50-75% Install new light fixtures $2,000 60-70% Groom the exterior landscape $2,000 25-50% Replace knobs and hardware $2,000 75-100% Update the entryway $3,000 50-75% Replace carpeting and laminate floors with hardwood $5,000 (for 1,000 square-foot space) 50-75% Build a fence/deck $5,000 50-75% Renovations with best return on investment; professional help may be required
RENOVATION PROJECT APPROXIMATE COST* APPROXIMATE ROI** Install an additional bathroom on main floor Under $5,000 80-100% Renovate bathrooms $5,000 – $8,000 75-100% Renovate kitchen $12,000 – $15,000 75-100% *Assumes mid-grade quality finishes, labour excluded
** Source: Appraisal Institute of Canada RENOVA, Royal LePageInterior remodeling costs (est.)†
Electrical Systems
Upgrade of main service to:
100 amps $1,500 – $1,800 200 amps $2,500 – $2,800 200 amps (with existing underground) $1,300 400 amps $5,000+ 16 circuit auxiliary panel $350 – $450 ea. electrical permit (major work) $150+ Plumbing Systems
Kitchen
sink & faucets $600+ ea. dishwasher connection $275 ea. garberator $600+ ea. Bathrooms
whirlpool bath/faucets $2,200+ bathtub/faucets $900+ shower connection with shower head $200+ toilet $400+ wash basin/faucets $350+ pedestal sinks/faucets $400+ pre-formed shower enclosure $1,400 – $1,900 ceramic tiles to existing tub enclosure $1,500+ Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC)
Forced Air System
high-efficiency gas furnace $3,700 installation of air ducts (new) $8,000+ installation of air ducts (retrofit) $10,000+ to metal line existing chimney $600+ air duct cleaning $275+ hot water gas boiler $3,500 – $4,400 hot water gas “high – efficiency” boiler $7,000 circulating pump $600 Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps
window units: 12 BTUH $800 ductless systems $4500 central A/C unit using existing ducts (2 tons) $3,200+ central A/C unit using existing ducts (3tons) $4,000+ heat pump (2 tons) $4,500 heat pump (3 tons) $5,500 Thermal Insulation (Retrofit)
to add R-20 (6″) of loose insulation (700sq. ft.) $750 to add R-32 (10″) of loose insulation (700sq. ft.) $950 wall/roof cavities $2 – $2.50/sq. ft. Fireplaces
masonry fireplaces $5,500+ factory-built fireplaces $2,500 – $3,500 wood stoves $2,000 – $3,500 fireplace inserts $700 – $1,200+ General Interiors
interior doors/hardware/jamb $320 ea. baseboards/door & window casing $3+/lin. ft. walls (ie. insulation, vapour barrier, drywall tape) $3.50/sq. ft. painting (3 coats) walls $1.50/sq. ft. kitchen cabinets/counter tops $300+/lin. ft. intercom system (retrofit) $1,200+ central vacuum (retrofit) $1,200+ Stairs/Railing
oak circular stair $5,000+ carpet grade circular stair $3,000 standard oak staircase $2,500+ ea. standard carpet grade staircase $1,500 ea. stair railings $100+/lin. ft. Floor Coverings
sheet vinyl $8+/sq. ft. 12″x12″ P.V.C. tiles $4/sq. ft. carpet+ underpad $6+/sq. ft. laminate flooring $6/sq.ft.+ finished subfloor $3/sq. ft. oak, maple $10+/sq. ft. parquet flooring $7/sq. ft. hardwood floor refurbishing $2.50-$4/sq. ft. ceramic floor tile $16+/sq. ft. Security Systems
wireless motion detectors $500 wired system $1,300+ Basements
underpinning $250+/lin. ft. lowering basement floor (bench method) $200+/lin. ft. recreation room remodeling $50+/sq. ft. to construct basement apartment $100 sq. ft.+ to construct separate basement entrance $10,000 ea. excavation/waterproofing exterior foundation $20/sq. ft. Exterior remodeling costs (est.) †
Exterior Doors
steel insulated doors $700+ ea. solid wood doors $900+ ea. 6′ aluminum patio doors $1,500+ ea. 6′ wood patio door $1,800+ ea. aluminum storm door $450+ ea. Roofing Systems
Sloped Roofs
asphalt shingles $2.50/sq. ft. low sloped asphalt shingles $3.50/sq. ft. cedar shakes $13/sq. ft. cedar shingles $11/sq. ft. slate tiles/steel roofing $15+/sq. ft. clay/concrete tiles $7 – $10 Flat roofs
4-ply (tar and gravel) $8 – $10/sq. ft. single-ply membrane $7 – $9/sq. ft. rolled asphalt ( 90lb ) $2.50 – $3.50/sq. ft. Wall Siding
aluminum siding $6/sq. ft. cedar siding $6 – $8/sq. ft asphalt shingles $2.50/sq. ft. vinyl siding $5/sq. ft. stucco (cement) $15+/sq. ft. brick (veneer) $15+/sq. ft. Eaves Upgrading (Aluminum)
eaves troughs/downpipes (5″) $6 – $7/lin. ft. fascia (6″) $5/lin. ft. soffit (16″) $6/lin. ft. remove existing eaves troughs $1/lin. ft. Fences
pressure treated lumber (5′ high) $25/lin. ft. cedar (5′ high) $35/lin. ft. chain link (4′ high) $12/lin. ft. Decks
pressure treated $25/sq. ft+ cedar $30/sq. ft+ custom designed & built $35/sq. ft+ wood patio/roof deck $20/sq. ft+ Patios
interlocking brick/stone $12 – $14/sq. ft. stamped concrete $10/sq. ft. patio stones $4/sq. ft. wood decking $8+/sq. ft. flagstone/field stone $20/sq. ft. Skylight/Roof Windows
2′x4′ skylight on a flat roof (incl. interior finishing) $3,300+ 2′x4′ skylight on a sloped roof (incl. interior finishing) $4,000+ 2′x4′ roof window (including interior finishing) $3,300+ Window Replacement
wood/vinyl windows $75+/sq. ft. aluminum windows $55+/sq. ft. aluminum storm windows $150 – $250 ea. aluminum porch enclosures $15+/sq. ft. fixed thermal glass (existing frames) $20/sq. ft. Driveways/Walkways
interlocking brick/stone $12 – $14/sq. ft. stamped concrete $10/sq. ft. asphalt paving (using existing base) $3/sq. ft. asphalt paving (with installation of new base) $5/sq. ft. Landscaping
top soil and sod $2/sq. ft. tree removal $1,800+ ea. 6″x 6″ pressure treated retaining walls: below grade (per piece) $15/lin. ft. 6″x 6″ pressure treated retaining walls: above grade (per piece) $10/lin. ft. Garages
removal of existing garage $3,000 detached carport $6,000 detached wood frame 1-car $17,000+ detached wood frame 2-car $22,000+ Swimming Pools
16′x32′ with 3′ perimeter walkway:
vinyl lined $25,000+ concrete lined $40,000+ pool heaters $2,000 pumps/filters $1,200 seasonal opening/closing maintenance $200 – $350 6′ x 8′ fiber glass hot tub $6000+
†Estimates include the supply and installation of average-quality building materials using professional workmanship.Source: Estimating & Budgeting Guide: Typical Costs of Residential Construction and Home Remodeling. The CanadianBuilding Consulting Group Inc., 2007.
Contact Laura for more information on which renovations may secure the highest possible price for your property.
