According to the National Association of Realtors, 75% of the people who underwent a home renovation experienced a great sense of enjoyment and a desire to be home. However, home renovation can be an expensive project, with costs ranging from $3,000 for minor work to up to $190,000 for full renovation! So, before hiring any home renovation contractors in Ohio, first understand the different types of cost averages in the industry so you have a rough idea of the budget.
This way, you’ll be able to tell better when someone is quoting you standard vs expensive rates. That said, here are the 7 most expensive renovations homeowners have to pay for.
Disclaimer: Remember, the costs we’ve added are not definitive for your project. All the data we’ve mentioned related to costs is based on the information provided by industry survey platforms such as Angi, HomeGuide, JLC, HomeAdvisor, and Homewyse. These websites break down the typical home renovation costs through the data they collect, and these are average costs. For a more detailed and accurate quote, call Americon at 1-833-4373487 now.
What is the Most Expensive Renovation in a Home?
Building a new addition to your home is the most expensive renovation. And it’s very obvious why, unlike cosmetic changes, structural additions cost more when material and labor costs are added. Plus, there are so many detailed expenses that’ll be included in the final bill, making the average cost around $125-$250 per square foot.
Besides this, kitchen and bathroom remodeling is another expensive renovation project, as per home renovation contractors in Ohio. And any other structural change, like a siding replacement, would cost more, too.
7 Most Expensive Renovations in a Home
Licensed renovation companies in Ohio often enlist these renovations as the most expensive home renovation projects overall:
1. Building an Addition
As per residential remodeling experts Ohio, building an addition for your property often tops the list of most expensive home renovations. This is due to the overall cost of the different expenses involved, from getting a permit to roofing and plumbing considerations.
Plus, getting new electrical fittings is no small feat either. And when all of this adds up, it’ll make up to $50,000-$100,000 for a 20×20 room addition. In fact, even if you want a smaller addition, like a closet expansion or extending your living room by a few feet, that too will cost you around $10,000-$43,000, with an average of $27,000 for most projects.
2. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
When doing home renovation in Ohio, remodelers state kitchen and bathroom as one of the most expensive remodeling projects. According to a study by Harvard University, kitchen remodels account for about 10.1% of the overall home improvement spending. And it ranges from $27,492-$79,982 for a minor to mid-range renovation. Most of these expenses are due to the high cost of appliances, cabinetry, and flooring.
These key elements of a kitchen renovation not only cost more, but they’re expensive to install as well. For instance, labor costs for kitchen floor installation generally range from $300-$3000.
And the situation is somewhat similar for the bathroom renovations as well. As per Ohio Kitchen and Bath remodelers, the luxury upgrades and the labor cost involved can quickly increase your bathroom renovation costs, before you know it. The national average range for bathroom renovation is $6,640-$17,621, which can easily go as high as $30,000 when you aim for high-end finishes and features.
3. Siding Replacement
Siding replacement is another pricey addition to your home renovation project. As per Angi, it can cost you around $5,566-$17,641, depending on the material, size, design complexity of your home, and the labor cost.
Moreover, if there’s potential underlying damage, that also needs to be replaced before adding a new siding to your home. All of this together increases your home renovation cost surprisingly high. And then, if you hire professionals from licensed renovation companies in Ohio, it increases the average labor cost (10-20 percent of your overall project) as well. But, since it’s necessary for quality installation, you can’t really do anything about it.
Custom home improvement services Ohio also consider the architecture of your home as an important factor for higher siding replacement costs.
4. Roof Replacement
The next major expense, as per residential remodeling experts in Ohio, is an exterior improvement, for instance, the roof replacement. It’s one of those projects in your home renovation that cannot be delayed or compromised, as it affects your home’s safety and functionality. Thus, you typically have to spend more on the material, labor, and design.
Plus, hiring professionals from licensed renovation companies in Ohio will cost you more as well. But that’s necessary to meet all state safety codes. Another key element that contributes to the high-end cost of roof replacement is your location. For instance, roof replacement costs are higher in metropolitan areas in Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown), while they’re relatively cheaper in rural areas (Henry, Darke, Hardin).
According to a study by The Collegian, the average cost of roof replacement in Ohio typically ranges from $5,500-$10,000 for a standard asphalt shingle roof. And this pricing can easily go higher if you choose to opt for metal or tile roofing.
5. Living Room Remodeling
As per the home renovation contractors Ohio, living room remodeling is your next major expense in home renovation. A typical price range goes from $4000-$10,000, depending on the number of renovations you make and how much you’re spending on each. Also, this cost keeps on increasing with high-end additions and labor costs.
- Interior painting costs: $600 – $2,000
- Flooring installation costs: $1,000 – $3,800
- Fireplace installation costs: $1,000 – $5,000
- Crown molding costs: $400 – $1,100
- Plantation shutters cost: $150 – $350 per window
- Carpet installation costs: $400 – $3,000
- Interior designer costs: $450 – $1,500
- Window replacement costs: $400 – $1,000 per window
As you can see in the table above from HomeGuide, the key elements that add up to your living room remodeling price include interior painting, new floor installation, and interior design. And then, if you go for custom home improvement services Ohio, the charges are higher for custom furnishings and paint finishes.
Homeowners should strive for a balance between aesthetics and budget when designing the second most-used room of their house. One should prioritize buying a quality piece rather than going for what’s trending.
6. Backyard Landscaping
According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowners in America spend over $500 billion a year on residential repairs and renovations. Exterior structural changes like backyard landscaping account for most of these expenses. In fact, as per Ohio kitchen and bath remodelers, it’s one of the most expensive renovations in a home.
A typical landscaping project (backyard or front yard) in the U.S. will cost you around $1,249-$6,280, with smaller landscaping projects costing around $200, and a full landscaping redesign can cost as high as $15,000. But it’s one of the value-adding renovations for your home as well.
According to this remodeling impact report by the National Association of Realtors, 92% have suggested improvements in the curb appeal, including backyard landscaping to improve home resale value. Plus, many homeowners in Ohio also hire custom home improvement services Ohio to remodel their backyard space for a more customized living experience.
7. Structural Changes
According to residential remodeling experts Ohio, even small structural changes like adding a new window or storage space in your home can add up to huge renovation bills. For instance, the average cost per square foot to build an interior wall is around $3.60-$6.23, which makes a total of $442-$761 for a standard 125 square foot wall.
These higher costs are usually due to the specialized labor required for the structural work and the permits required to make a change in the structure of your property. However, structural changes are a value-adding addition to your property as they not only add to the aesthetics of your home but also increase its functionality as well.
So, what is a realistic budget for home renovation?
The realistic budget can be divided into three categories: low-end budget of $10,000 to $40,000 that involves cosmetic work, mid-range renovation of $40,000 to $70,000 with cosmetic work and some appliances, fixtures, bath and kitchen remodel, and then high-end budget of $75,000 to $190,000 with mid-range option work plus high-tier materials, custom cabinets, appliances, structural and foundation repairs etc. Here are your options explained further:
Is $100,000 enough to renovate a house?
Yes, $100,000 is enough for a major renovation, including kitchen/bathroom remodels, structural changes, and mid-range finishes. It can cover:
- A 20×20 addition ($50,000–$100,000).
- A full kitchen remodel ($27,492–$79,982).
- A bathroom remodel ($6,640–$30,000).
- Roof or siding replacement ($5,500–$17,641).
- Living room updates ($4,000–$10,000).
However, high-end upgrades (luxury materials, custom work) may push costs beyond this budget.
Is $50,000 enough to renovate a house?
Yes, but for selective, mid-range renovations rather than a full overhaul. It can cover:
- A minor kitchen remodel (~$27,492).
- One bathroom remodel (~$6,640–$17,621).
- Siding or roof replacement (lower end, ~$5,500–$10,000).
- Cosmetic updates (painting, flooring, lighting).
Not enough for major structural changes (additions, foundation work) or high-end finishes.
Is $200K enough to renovate a house?
Yes, $200,000 is sufficient for a high-end, full-house renovation, including:
- A large addition (500–800 sq ft. at $125–$250/sq ft).
- Luxury kitchen & bathroom remodels (~$80,000+ for both).
- Roof, siding, and structural upgrades (~$20,000–$50,000).
- Custom finishes, smart home tech, and landscaping (~$15,000–$30,000).
This budget allows for premium materials and professional labor without major compromises.
Home Renovation By Size & Type:
Home renovation costs depend on the type and size of the property and the kind of work being done. Here are the different costs for different property types and areas:
Apartment Renovation Cost
The average cost to renovate an apartment ranges from $25–$60 per sq ft, and the scope of work is primarily cosmetic updates (flooring, paint, lighting), minor kitchen/bath refreshes, and fixture replacements. For instance, an 800 sq ft. apartment remodel could set you back by $20,000–$48,000.
One thing to note is that structural changes are often restricted by building management, which excludes exterior work.
Condo Renovation Cost
The average cost for condo renovation ranges from $40–$125 per sq ft. For instance, a 1,000 sq ft condo renovation = $40,000–$125,000. This will usually include mid-to-high-end interior upgrades (custom cabinetry, smart features, luxury finishes); may include HDU compliance fees.
Key cost variables include premium materials, labor for complex layouts (e.g., plumbing/electrical in high-rises).
House Renovation Cost
The average cost for a house renovation ranges from $20–$200+ per sq ft and varies by style/scope.
- By size:
- A 1,200 sq ft house will cost $18,000–$72,000 in renovations
- A 2,000 sq ft house will cost $28,000–$115,000 in renovations
- A 4,000 sq ft house will cost $50,000–$210,000 in renovations
- By bedrooms:
- A 3-bedroom house will cost $20,000–$100,000 in renovations
- A 4-bedroom house will cost $40,000–$180,000 in renovations
- Style premiums:
- A Victorian-style house will cost $50–$200/sq ft in renovations
- Historical theme houses will cost $100–$400/sq ft. (specialized materials/permits).
Scope of work typically includes full structural overhauls (roofing, additions), systems updates (HVAC/electrical), and high-end finishes.
Remember: Urban locations (e.g., Columbus, OH) cost 15–25% more than rural; luxury finishes add 30–50% versus standard materials. Licensed contractors add 10–20% for compliance, while structural repairs (foundation/roof) can spike costs by 25–40%.
Ready to Give Your Home a Makeover? Americon Can Help!
If you’re ready to make some much-needed changes to your property to enjoy the look and warmth of the new additions and also boost its resale value, Americon can help.
We have a network of highly qualified home remodel and renovation contractors in Ohio and western Pennsylvania, ready to breathe fresh air into your property. Call 1-833-4373487 to schedule a site visit and get a custom quote tailored to your property!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What home renovations add the most value?
Kitchen and bathroom remodels add significant value, with kitchens returning up to 10.1% of home improvement spending. Backyard landscaping also boosts curb appeal, with 92% of realtors recommending it for resale value.
Is it cheaper to renovate or build new?
Renovating is usually cheaper than building new, as new construction involves higher material and labor costs. However, major structural renovations (like additions) can approach the cost of new builds.
How much does it cost to remodel a 12×12 bedroom?
A basic 12×12 bedroom remodel costs $4,000–$10,000, covering painting, flooring, and minor updates. High-end finishes or structural changes can push costs higher.
How long does it take to remodel a 1000 sq ft house?
A full 1000 sq ft remodel takes 8–12 weeks for basic updates, but can extend to 4–6 months for major structural or custom renovations.
How much does it cost to build a 20×20 room?
A 20×20 room addition costs $50,000–$100,000, including permits, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work. Smaller additions start around $10,000–$43,000.