Home Renovation Budget Calculator
Budget a renovation by area with a contingency.
Enter your values
Enter the area to renovate in m² or ft².
Enter the cost per unit in $.
Enter the contingency in %.
Enter the labour share in %.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Total budget
- $41,400.00
- Base cost
- $36,000.00
- Contingency
- $5,400.00
- Labour / materials
- $18,000.00 / $18,000.00
Quick answer
Renovation cost is driven by area and finish level, with labour typically 40-60% of the total and a 15% contingency essential.
cost = area x cost per unit x (1 + contingency)
At a glance
| What it does | Budget a renovation by area with a contingency. |
|---|---|
| Category | Home & DIY |
| Inputs needed | Area to renovate, Cost per unit, Contingency, Labour share |
| Main output | Total budget |
| Formula | cost = area x cost per unit x (1 + contingency) |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Home Renovation Budget Calculator
- 1Measure the area being renovated.
- 2Use a local cost-per-unit rate for your finish level.
- 3Never plan below a 15% contingency on older properties.
Inputs explained
- Area to renovate(m² or ft²)
- Enter the area to renovate in m² or ft².
- Cost per unit($)
- Enter the cost per unit in $.
- Contingency(%)
- Enter the contingency in %.
- Labour share(%)
- Enter the labour share in %.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Area to renovate40 m² or ft²
- Cost per unit900 $
- Contingency15 %
- Labour share50 %
Results
- Total budget$41,400.00
- Base cost$36,000.00
- Contingency$5,400.00
- Labour / materials$18,000.00 / $18,000.00
Frequently asked questions
Why is my quote higher?
Structural work, permits and services relocation sit outside simple area rates.
Kitchens and bathrooms?
They run 2-4x the per-area cost of bedrooms because of services and fittings.
What do I need to enter into the Home Renovation Budget Calculator?
Just 4 values: area to renovate, cost per unit, contingency, labour share. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Home Renovation Budget Calculator work out the answer?
Renovation cost is driven by area and finish level, with labour typically 40-60% of the total and a 15% contingency essential. It applies the formula cost = area x cost per unit x (1 + contingency) and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Home Renovation Budget Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.