Rehab Budget Calculator

Sum cosmetic / mid / heavy rehab line items + contingency.

Inputs

Result

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter sq footage and tier.
  • Add kitchen, bath, extras separately.
  • Hold 15-20% contingency.

About this calculator

Rehab budgets fall into three tiers. Cosmetic ($15-25/ft²): paint, flooring, light fixtures, hardware. Mid ($35-55/ft²): kitchen + bath remodels, some flooring, paint. Heavy gut ($80-150/ft²): walls down, new plumbing/electrical/HVAC, full kitchen/bath rebuilds. Old houses (pre-1980): always heavy due to lead/asbestos/knob-tube. Contingency is non-negotiable: 15% mid-tier, 20-25% gut.

Frequently asked

Cost-vs-value priority?+
Kitchen and bath drive resale. Then exterior curb appeal. Bedrooms/halls are cheap upgrades. Don't over-improve mechanicals beyond functional.
Hidden cost surprises?+
Old wiring (knob-and-tube), galvanized plumbing, asbestos tile, lead paint, foundation cracks. Inspect before purchase.
DIY vs. contractor?+
GC overhead 15-25%. DIY some items (paint, flooring), GC others (electrical, plumbing, roof). Permits required for major work.
Contingency really 15%?+
Renovation discovers things demolition exposes. 15% covers typical surprises; 25% for older homes; 30% for fire/water-damaged.
When does ARV justify?+
Compare projected ARV − total cost (purchase + rehab + holding + selling) ≥ desired profit. Otherwise pass.

Related calculators

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Property Holding Cost Calculator
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BRRRR Method Calculator
Buy + Rehab → Rent → Refinance (75% LTV) → Repeat. Compute cash recovered + ongoing cash flow.
After-Repair Value (ARV) Calculator
ARV = avg comp $/ft² × subject ft². Average from 3-5 sold comps within 1 mile, last 6 months.
Max Purchase Price (Target Cap Rate)
Max purchase = NOI / target cap rate. Reverse-engineer from desired return.
Cash-Out Refinance Calculator
Cash out = (new loan − old loan payoff) − closing costs.

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