Free 2026 estimator
Home Improvement Cost Calculator
Estimate a realistic low-to-high budget before you call contractors. Pick the project, enter a rough size, adjust for local pricing context, then open the matching HammerIO calculator or city cost guide for deeper scope checks.
Calculator finder
Find the Right Home Improvement Calculator
Pick the project, enter a rough size, and HammerIO routes you to the calculator or cost guide that matches the scope. Use this as a first-pass screen before you ask contractors for written bids.
Quick planning range
Interior painting
Good first estimate for rooms, apartments, and whole-house repainting.
Estimated Range
$1,800 - $6,600
Typical planning midpoint: $3,300
Scope to verify before bids
- -wall repair
- -ceiling height
- -primer
- -trim and doors
Fast 2026 Project Cost Ranges
These are planning ranges for common home improvement jobs. Open the matching guide to see labor split, ROI, timeline, permit notes, and what to verify before comparing contractor quotes.
| Project | Low | Typical | High | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Painting 2-5 days - Easy | $1,000 | $4,000 | $12,000 | 107% |
| Bathroom Remodel 2-4 weeks - Medium | $6,000 | $18,000 | $50,000 | 68% |
| Roof Replacement 2-5 days - Hard | $8,000 | $18,000 | $45,000 | 68% |
| Deck Addition 1-3 weeks - Hard | $7,000 | $20,000 | $55,000 | 65% |
| Kitchen Remodel 4-8 weeks - Hard | $15,000 | $42,000 | $100,000 | 72% |
| Garage Build (New Construction) 6-10 weeks - Hard | $22,000 | $48,000 | $95,000 | 75% |
Local Cost Context Matters
The same project can price differently by city because labor rates, permit fees, material delivery, weather windows, and contractor availability change the final quote.
New York City, NY
148 indexLabor around $57/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $69,003; bathroom remodel near $30,500.
Open local guideLos Angeles, CA
147 indexLabor around $56/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $68,303; bathroom remodel near $30,000.
Open local guideChicago, IL
129 indexLabor around $44/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $57,344; bathroom remodel near $25,000.
Open local guideHouston, TX
110 indexLabor around $36/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $47,662; bathroom remodel near $20,500.
Open local guidePhoenix, AZ
103 indexLabor around $31/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $43,557; bathroom remodel near $18,500.
Open local guideAtlanta, GA
102 indexLabor around $32/hr. Kitchen remodel midpoint near $43,758; bathroom remodel near $19,000.
Open local guideHow to Use the Estimate
Treat the result as a bid-prep range. If a contractor quote lands far above the high end, ask what scope item is driving the premium: access, demolition, disposal, permits, hidden damage, custom material, or schedule pressure.
If a quote lands far below the low end, check for missing line items such as prep work, disposal, primer, underlayment, flashing, permits, insurance, or cleanup. The lowest bid is only useful when the written scope matches.
For deeper planning, use the 120+ project cost guide, compare construction costs by state, or open all HammerIO calculators.