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Discover What a $50,000 Renovation Budget Can Achieve Across the U.S.
Disclosure: Brie Williams, from Hearst Magazines and Yahoo, may earn commission or revenue through some links featured in this article.
This impressive kitchen was created by Kelsey McGregor of Kelsey Leigh Design Co. for our 2024 Whole Home project in North Carolina. If you’re considering updating your outdated kitchen, adding a walk-in pantry, renovating your basement, or expanding your primary bathroom, you’re not alone. With high interest rates and housing costs, more homeowners are opting for renovation projects rather than moving. According to a recent National Association of Homebuilders survey, bathroom remodels are the most popular investment, followed closely by kitchen renovations.
Enhancing your current home can come with a significant price tag. To give you an idea of what a $50,000 renovation budget can achieve in various regions of the country, we consulted with contractors, builders, and designers to provide estimates. While costs in urban areas and upscale suburbs are typically higher than in rural settings, these insights can help you plan your renovation.
Pacific Northwest:
Donna Dufresne designed the primary bath in a historic home in downtown Portland. Tyrone Woodland, CEO of Woodland Construction Group in Portland, suggests that for $50,000, you could update your primary bathroom by replacing an outdated vanity, upgrading the shower, installing a soaking tub, replacing the toilet, and adding new tile, fixtures, and flooring. However, major redesigns or relocating fixtures will increase costs rapidly.
The South:
In the Southeast, you can renovate your kitchen on a budget, as long as you’re open to alternatives to expensive materials. Vadim Kozlyuk, founder of Parksdale Building Co in North Carolina, notes that while a kitchen renovation within a $50,000 budget is possible, it may require choosing stock cabinetry and more affordable finishes.
East Coast:
Renovation costs are higher in the East Coast, but according to Robert Lupinski, owner of Robert Lupinski Painting & Remodeling LLC, the key factor is the size of the project. Lupinski suggests that a 150- to 200 square-foot kitchen can be renovated for around $50,000 with semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, and midrange appliances. Additionally, finishing a basic 600- to 700-square-foot basement for a playroom or home office typically costs $50,000, while adding a bathroom could add another $20,000 to the total.
Midwest:
Wendy Labrum designed the backyard of a home in Chicago. In the Midwest, renovation costs can be more budget-friendly compared to other regions, making it possible to achieve significant updates within a $50,000 budget.
Renovating in the Midwest can stretch your dollars further. According to Nick Mitchell from Jacobson Premier Remodeling Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a budget of $50K is reasonable for various projects. You could update your primary bathroom without going overboard on fixtures, or create an outdoor entertainment area with a deck, pergola, and cafe lights. Alternatively, you could opt for a spacious mudroom or laundry room to enhance organization.
In the Southwest, a primary bathroom renovation is achievable within this budget, as stated by Rachel Chester from Ownby Design in Scottsdale, Arizona. While updating cabinets, tile, plumbing, and countertops is possible, you may need to make some compromises to stay within the $50K limit. For instance, choosing a prefabricated vanity base can help save costs, allowing for the inclusion of larger tiles that may have higher installation expenses. In rooms with minimal plumbing or structural modifications, you might even have enough left in your budget for luxurious decorative accents. Chester also mentions that a mudroom is feasible within this budget, and depending on its size, you may even incorporate a new tile or wood floor, along with paint and wallpaper.
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