Home Improvement Costs

The following costs are intended as ballpark estimates for repairs and/or improvements to a typical three bedroom home. Our experience has shown that actual contractor quotations can vary by as much as 300%. Naturally, the quality of workmanship and materials will influence costs. The complexity of the job, accessibility and even economic conditions can also alter actual costs.

Roofing / Flashings / Chimneys
Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles $2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with conventional asphalt shingles $2.75- $5.50 per sq.ft.
Strip and reshingle with premium quality asphalt shingles $5.00 - $10.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles $9.00 - $18.00 per sq .ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof $10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Strip and replace single-ply membrane $10.00 - $20.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Reflash typical skylight or chimney $500.00 - $1000.00
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line $25.00 - $50.00 per row of bricks (min. $400)
Rebuild typical single flue chimney above roof line $200.00 - $400.00 per lin.ft. (min. $1000)
Exterior
Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts $5.00 - $10.00 per lin.ft. (min. $500)
Install aluminum soffits and fascia $8.00 - $16.00 per lin.ft.
Install aluminum or vinyl siding $6.00 - $12.00 per sq.ft.
Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar) $3.00 - 6.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar) $5.00 - $10.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Parge foundation walls $3.00 - $6.00 per sq.ft.
Dampproof foundation walls and install weeping tile $150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Install a deck $25.00 - $50.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)
Resurface existing asphalt driveway $2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install interlocking brick driveway $8.00 - $16.00 per sq.ft.
Rebuild exterior basement stairwell $5000.00 and up
Build detached garage $70.00 - $140.00 per sq.ft.
Build retaining wall (wood) $20.00 - $40.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)
Build retaining wall (concrete) $30.00 - $60.00 per sq.ft. (min $500)
Painting (trim only) $2000.00 - $4000.00 and up
Painting (trim and wall surfaces) $5000.00 and up
Structure
Underpin one corner of house $5000.00 and up
Underpin or add foundations $300.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $3000)
Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings $150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $5000)
Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete $60.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $2000)
Install basement support post with proper foundation $800.00 - $1600.00
Perform chemical treatment for termites $2000.00 and up
Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation $400.00 - $800.00
Electrical
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps
(including new panel)
$1200.00 - $3000.00
Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps
(if suitably sized panel already exists)
$800.00 - $1600.00
Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps $1700.00 - $3500.00
Install new circuit breaker panel $700.00 - $1400.00
Replace circuit breaker (20 amp or less) $100.00 - $200.00
Add 120 volt circuit (microwave, freezer, etc.) $150.00 - $300.00
Add 240 volt circuit (dryer, stove, etc.) $300.00 - $600.00
Add conventional receptacle $200.00 - $400.00
Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle $70.00 -$140.00
Replace conventional receptacle with aluminum compatible type (CO/ALR)(assuming several are required) $60.00 - $120.00 ea.
Upgrade entire house with aluminum compatible receptacles, connectors, etc. $1000.00 - $2000.00
Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity
(assuming electrician already there)
$5.00 - $10.00 ea.
Replace knob & tube wiring with conventional wiring (per room) $1000.00 - $2000.00
Heating
Install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace $2500.00 - $5000.00
Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace $3500.00 - $7000.00
Install humidifier $300.00 - $600.00
Install electronic air filter $800.00 - $1600.00
Install mid-efficiency boiler $3500.00 - $7000.00
Install high-efficiency boiler  $6000.00 - $12000.00
Install circulating pump $400.00 - $600.00
Install chimney liner for gas appliance $500.00 - $1000.00
Install chimney liner for oil appliance $700.00 - $1800.00
Install programmable thermostat $200.00 - $400.00
Replace indoor oil tank $1200.00 - $2500.00
Remove oil tank from basement $600.00 and up
Remove abandoned underground oil tank $10000.00 and up
Replace radiator valve $300.00 - $600.00
Add electric baseboard heater $250.00 - $500.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (bungalow) $10000.00 - $20000.00
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two storey) $15000.00 - $30000.00
Clean ductwork $300.00 - $600.00
Cooling / Heat Pumps
Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system $3000.00 and up
Add heat pump to forced-air system $4000.00 - $8000.00
Replace heat pump or air conditioning condenser $1200.00 - $2500.00
Install independent air conditioning system $10000.00 - $20000.00
Install ductless air conditioning system $3000.00 - $7000.00
Insulation
Insulate open attic to modern standards $0.80 - $1.60 per sq.ft.
Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity $2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Improve attic ventilation $30.00 - $60.00 per vent
Plumbing
Replace galvanized piping with copper
(2 storey with one bathroom)
$2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace water line to house $2000.00 and up
Replace toilet $500.00 and up
Replace basin, including faucets $750.00 and up
Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile and faucets $2500.00 and up
Install whirlpool bath, including faucets $3500.00 and up
Retile bathtub enclosure $1000.00 - $2000.00
Replace leaking shower stall pan $1000.00 - $2000.00
Rebuild tile shower stall $2500.00 - $5000.00
Replace laundry tubs $400.00 - $800.00
Remodel four-piece bathroom completely $6000.00 - $50000.00
Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers $5000.00 and up
Install submersible pump $1000.00 and up
Install suction or jet pump $700.00 and up
Install modest basement bathroom $6000.00 and up
Interior
Add drywall over plaster $4.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft.
Sand and refinish hardwood floors $2.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.
Install replacement windows $40.00 - $120.00 per sq.ft.
Install storm window $200.00 - $400.00
Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed-in) $3000.00 and up
Install zero-clearance firelace (including chimney) $3500.00 and up
Install glass doors on fireplace $300.00 and up
Install skylight $3000.00
Remodel kitchen completely $10,000.00 - $110000.00
Install gas fireplace $3500.00 and up

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