Finance category
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Rehab Budget Calculator
Estimate a defensible renovation budget before you buy. Build line items by trade, add a contingency, and factor in debt service and holding costs so the all-in project cost is realistic.
Property and scope
Rehab line items
Holding costs
Holding costs track debt service, taxes, insurance, and utilities while the project is being renovated.
Total rehab budget
$49,335
$34 per sq ft
Hard costs before contingency
$42,900
Contingency buffer
$6,435
15% of hard costs
All-in rehab + holding
$59,818
Scope check
Budget covers a light-to-medium rehab with kitchen and bath updates plus selective system work.
Monthly debt service
$1,647
Total holding cost
$10,483
Cost per sq ft
$34.02
A larger contingency is standard on older homes, gut rehabs, or projects with unknown plumbing, roof, or foundation conditions. Holding costs assume the loan interest is being paid during the renovation — interest-only or draw loans may adjust the actual monthly carrying amount.
EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.
Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.
Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.
How this calculator works
What this page estimates
This Rehab Budget Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for rehab budget. Estimate a defensible renovation budget before you buy. Build line items by trade, add a contingency, and factor in debt service and holding costs so the all-in project cost is realistic. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.
Calculation approach
The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.
Example workflow
For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.
Practical checks
- Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
- Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
- Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.
How to interpret the rehab budget result
Best use
Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.
Cross-check
Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.
Watch for
Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.
This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.
Before relying on this rehab budget estimate
Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.
Confirm source numbers
Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.
Separate cash flow from total cost
A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.
Run conservative cases
Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.
Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.
How to Use
- Enter the property square footage and a contingency percentage — 10–20% is common on experienced rehabs.
- Add dollar amounts by trade: kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, mechanicals, roof, exterior, and permits.
- Estimate rehab timeline in months plus the loan amount, rate, and other monthly carrying costs like taxes and insurance.
- Review total rehab cost, dollars per square foot, and the all-in cost including holding.
- Compare this rehab budget with an ARV estimate to pressure-test the deal before making an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a rehab cost per square foot?
Light cosmetic rehabs often run $10–$25 per square foot. Light-to-medium renovations with kitchen and bath updates typically run $25–$45 per square foot. Full rehabs land around $45–$75 per square foot, and gut renovations can exceed $100 per square foot.
Why include a contingency?
Hidden conditions like outdated wiring, plumbing, subfloor damage, or roof issues are discovered after demo. A 10–20% contingency keeps the budget intact when those surprises show up.
What are holding costs?
Holding costs are the monthly carrying costs while the property is being renovated and not producing rent or a sale — typically debt service, property tax, insurance, utilities, and any inspection or HOA fees.
Does this include purchase price?
No. This calculator focuses only on rehab and holding. Combine this with ARV and a max offer target to get total project cost including the acquisition.
How should I use the output?
Feed the total rehab budget into the ARV calculator to see the max allowable offer under the 70% rule. If the rehab pushes the offer below what sellers will accept, reduce scope or walk.
Related Calculators
House Flipping Profit Calculator
Combine this rehab total with ARV and financing to see projected flip profit and cash-on-cash return.
ARV Calculator
Estimate after-repair value from comps and back into a max allowable offer that fits this rehab budget.
Rental Cash Flow Calculator
If the property becomes a BRRRR hold, model post-rehab cash flow with your new rent assumption.
Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator
Translate rehab spend into cash invested and see the return on the final leveraged deal.
Cap Rate Calculator
Check property income performance at post-rehab NOI before deciding on a refinance or sale.
DSCR Calculator
Pressure-test whether post-rehab NOI supports a DSCR refinance loan out of the project.
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