The number one thing on everyone’s mind when thinking about home improvements is cost, and with good reason. Your budget will guide you out of a dizzying array of options and help you narrow down the project scope and materials.
As you sort through the possibilities, remember that the cheapest option is often not the best way to go. In fact, building or remodeling at the lowest price will often get you into trouble. We’ve written before about how to hire a good contractor in Vermont, and part of that process involves knowing what a professional contractor charges for quality work. When you hire someone who charges really low hourly rates, you are taking a big gamble with your money and your house.
The most common method for determining construction costs is to price by the foot: square foot, linear foot and cubic foot.
A linear foot
is a one-dimensional measurement, and it is equivalent to a regular foot (12 inches). The term linear refers to a straight line, so a linear foot is the straight line measurement of something. It differs from other measurements because width and height don’t matter.
A square foot
is a bi-dimensional measurement used to calculate the area of houses, countertops, flooring, wall coverings, and backyards, to name a few examples. To find the area of a space, simply multiply the length by the width of the space.
A cubic foot
is a three-dimensional measurement of volume. It’s measured by multiplying the length by the width and the height of a space. This is commonly used for concrete pouring calculations or determining how much soil to bring to a job site.
The bottom line is different for every home improvement project, and its based on the complexity of the job and the materials selected. But the table below will give you a ballpark idea for each service.
| SQUARE FOOT COSTS WITH MATERIALS | |
| Additions | $150 – $450 |
| Basement Remodels | $55 – $95 |
| Bathroom Remodels | $200 – $750 |
| Drywall (includes hanging, taping, 3 coats of mud, sanding & priming) | $3.50 – $7 |
| Kitchen remodel (includes demolition, new cabinets, counters & flooring) | $ 85 – $290 |
| New roof shingles (includes stripping old shingles) | $7 – $12 |
| Pre-finished hardwood floor (may involve removing old floor) | $9 – $14 |
| Removing a textured ceiling (includes repainting) | $9 – $12 |
| Vinyl Siding | $8 – $13 |
| Tiling | $9 – $22 |
| LINEAL FOOT COSTS WITH MATERIALS | |
| Installing new wood trim | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| CUBIC FOOT COSTS WITH MATERIALS | |
| Concrete Walls (formed and poured) | $18 – $35 |
| Concrete Slabs (poured only) | $5 – $14 |
Now that you have a better idea of how much home improvements costs, take some measurements and try to set a budget. Beware of any contractor that will not give you a quote. Without a firm quote, you will be paying on a time and materials basis, losing control over the final cost.
A good contractor will ask thoughtful questions and examine the project space in person before offering a formal proposal. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to a satisfying result that meets your budget.
MEET SPARKLES
If you are feeling dirty, it’s time you meet our sister company Sparkles.
For a home that is shiny and bright, call Sparkles ’cause they do it right.
