Remodeling cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report remodeling costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | $14,589–$41,538 per jobBob Vila, citing Angi and HomeAdvisor: average $26,974Bob Vila, updated May 2025 | Bob Vilaupdated May 2025 |
| $75–$250 per sq ftFixr: average $150 per sq ft; high-end $600+Fixr, updated Jan 2026 | Fixrupdated Jan 2026 | |
| Bathroom remodel | $6,456–$24,715 per jobThis Old House: average $15,586This Old House, updated Jul 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Jul 2026 |
| $6,624–$16,922 per jobBob Vila, citing Angi and HomeAdvisorBob Vila, updated Jun 2024 | Bob Vilaupdated Jun 2024 | |
| Drywall repair | $200–$550 per jobFixr: average $350Fixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| Cabinet refacing | $3,000–$13,500 per jobFixr: average $8,250; $100–$450 per linear ftFixr, updated Jan 2026 | Fixrupdated Jan 2026 |
| $4,501–$10,546 per jobBob Vila: national average $7,220Bob Vila, updated May 2024 | Bob Vilaupdated May 2024 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by Bob Vila, Fixr and This Old House, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
Where the sources disagree
- Bathroom remodel: This Old House (2026) gives $6,456–$24,715; Bob Vila's 2024 range, from Angi data, is $6,624–$16,922. (This Old House, Bob Vila)
What changes the price
- Whether the layout changes — moving plumbing, gas or walls costs far more than keeping them
- Size of the room
- Cabinets, countertops and fixtures — the finish level sets much of the budget
- What is found behind walls and under floors once demolition starts
- Permits and inspections
- Design fees, if a designer or architect is involved
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions remodeling pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Property type
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Home · Multi-unit building · Office / business · Residential
- Project type
- Commonly offered: Addition of new interior wall · Complete installation of drywall for new construction · Drywall already installed; customer needs help finishing · Drywall already installed; customer needs to tape and sand joints · Remove current drywall and install new drywall
- Additional drywall services
- Commonly offered: Apply texture finish · Painting · Soundproofing · Wallpaper · Water / moisture proofing
- Work needed
- Commonly offered: Add new bathroom · Full remodel of bathroom · Install bathroom cabinets or fixtures · Install bathroom tiles or flooring · Repair of existing bathroom cabinetry or fixtures · Repair of existing bathroom tiles or flooring material
- Remodel reason
- Commonly offered: Accessibility / ADA upgrade · Expand the bathroom · Fix water damage · Replace fixtures · Update style
- Drywall repairs needed
- Commonly offered: Apply finishing · Fill in cracks · Fill in dents or nail holes · Patch damaged drywall · Remove popcorn texture · Replace one or more sheets of drywall
- Material preference
- Commonly offered: Granite · Laminate · Marble · Quartz · Stainless steel · Tile
- Cabinet location
- Commonly offered: Basement · Bathroom · Dining / living room · Entryway · Garage · Kitchen
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the remodeling market looks like
Fixerlane lists remodeling pros across 51 states and 2,950 cities. About 23% are one-person businesses and 67% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 7 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- How much contingency should I keep for a remodel?
- Keep a reserve beyond the quoted price for what is found once walls and floors are opened — rot, old wiring, out-of-level framing. Ask the contractor what they would allow on a house of your age.
- Does a kitchen or bathroom remodel need a permit?
- Usually, when plumbing, electrical or walls change. Cosmetic work such as replacing cabinets in the same place often does not. Your contractor should pull permits, not you.
- Can I live at home during a remodel?
- Often, with a temporary kitchen or a second bathroom. Ask the contractor how long the room will be out of use and how they will contain dust.
- What should a remodeling contract include?
- A detailed scope, the brands and models of fixtures and finishes or allowances for them, a payment schedule tied to milestones, the timeline, the warranty, and how changes are priced.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find remodeling pros near you and ask two or three.
Find remodeling pros