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