2020 Cost Guide for a Home Remodel in Boston

The costs to remodel in Boston in 2020, including  kitchen, bath, and whole-home (with basement budgets and permit tips!)

From brownstones to grand Victorians and Federals, all the way to modern apartments, Boston has it all, when it comes to homes. There’s a good reason for that. Boston is one of the oldest cities in America—circa 1630—and has cycled through many eras. If you’re planning to remodel your home and want to learn about the various costs to remodel in Boston, then Sweeten should be your first stop.

Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their projects, offers a general cost guide to get you started on your first step: your budget. However, to get an accurate figure for your project, a contractor will want to see the space in person. 

Here’s a quick overview of budgets for some typical renovation projects:

• Gut renovation: Starting at around $100 psf (per square foot)
  
• Low-end kitchen remodel: Starting at $15,000—$30,000
  
• Mid-range kitchen remodel: Starting at $71,400—$75,600 with average at $80,000 or $400 psf
  
• High-end kitchen remodel: Starting at $141,000—$149,000 with average at $155,000 or $775 psf
  
• Low-end bathroom remodel: Starting at $15,000—$18,000
  
• Mid-range bathroom remodel: Starting at $27,000 or $770 psf
  
• High-end master bathroom remodel and reconfiguration: Starting at $50,000 with average at $82,000 or $820 psf
  
• Basement: Start $25,000 with average at $88,000 or $137 psf
  

How much a Boston remodel costs per square foot

A total gut renovation in Boston that brings your home down to its frame will likely start at around $100 psf. Doing it all at once will get you the best price per square foot.

How much a Boston kitchen remodel costs per square foot

The typical renovation cost for a minor kitchen in Boston starts at $15,000 and goes up to $30,000.

• Mid-range kitchen: For the Boston area, expect costs to come in between $71,400—$75,600. Remodeling‘s 2020 Cost Vs Value report puts the average mid-range kitchen renovation cost around $80,000. This is about $10,000 above the national average and works out to be $400 psf. With a budget of this amount, you can remodel a 200-square-foot space with laminate countertops, semi-custom wood cabinets, and a stainless steel sink with a standard single-lever faucet. It also allows the addition of a built-in microwave, dishwasher, and custom lighting.

Other than adding a kitchen island, the layout, such as where the oven and dishwasher were installed, remained the same as the original design. Keeping your floor plan the same will be the biggest factor in keeping your budget down.

• High-end kitchen: Upscale kitchen remodels start at $141,000—$149,000 while the Cost Vs Value report places the average around $155,000 for Boston. The cost per square foot is $775. This type of project can add more than half that amount—$85,000—to your home’s value. The scope at the budget range can consist of custom cabinets, built-in sliding shelves, stone countertops, and imported ceramic or glass tile backsplashes. The appliances were also kicked up a few notches to include a commercial-grade cooktop and vent hood. Designer faucets and a water filtration system were also part of the materials.
  

How much a Boston bathroom remodel costs per square foot

The typical home renovation cost for a low-end bathroom in Boston starts at $15,000 and goes up to $18,000.

• Mid-range bathroom: For Boston, the average cost of a mid-range bathroom remodel is about $27,000 or $770 psf, according to the Cost Vs Value report. This budget could get you a remodeled 35-square-foot bathroom with a new porcelain-on-steel bathtub, ceramic tiles, and a recessed medicine cabinet with built-in lighting. A renovation of this level can add more than $16,000 to a home’s value, recouping close to 60 percent of the project’s cost.
  

• High-end master bathroom: Renovation costs start at $50,000 for an upscale master bath in Boston. According to Cost Vs Value,  the average price is around $82,000 or $820 psf. You could afford to expand your existing bathroom from 35 square feet to around 100 square feet and play around with elements like a freestanding soaker tub and a shower with recessed shelves, a frameless glass enclosure, and body spray fixtures. You’re also likely to afford a double sink and double-mirror vanity with custom draws and wall cabinets.
  

How much it costs to renovate a basement

A basement renovation starts at $25,000. The average cost is $88,000, the Cost Vs Value report found. The project for this budget includes a 20′ x 30′ main room and a 5′ x 8′ bathroom with a shower. The main room can contain a bar area as well as laminate flooring and insulation, a largely unseen but important part of the project to combat those wet, frosty winters. This example project works out to $137 psf.    

Building permit costs

For the City of Boston, which covers over 200 square miles around the city center, permits for a major residential remodel starts at $50. This increases by $10 for every $1,000 of the budget. There are additional charges for electrical and plumbing work. 

If your home is in Norfolk County then you will need to check the township your home is located in. The county is made of dozens of small towns and each has its own building permit system. For example, in Dedham, a permit for additions, including decks, costs $10 per $1,000 of planned work. This would mean a $30,000 kitchen addition would attract a $300 permit. 

Over in Cambridge, which is located in Middlesex County, a building permit costs $15 per $1,000 in the budget. So a permit for that same $30,000 kitchen addition would be $450 in Cambridge.

Whatever your renovation plans are in Boston, post your project to Sweeten and we’ll match you with fully-vetted general contractors. They can get you an estimate that is tailored to your project. Sweeten will even check in with you from project posting all the way to the punch list. Happy building!

—

Here’s what to know before renovating an old house from addition types and energy efficiency to floor plan improvements.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration, and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

The post 2020 Cost Guide for a Home Remodel in Boston appeared first on Sweeten Blog.