Key Takeaways
- Structural work, kitchens, bathrooms, and finished lower levels can represent some of the largest investments in a whole-home remodel.
- Kitchen remodeling at David & Goliath Builders starts around $55K+, while extensive Supreme Kitchen projects start around $95K+.
- Bathroom remodeling starts around $35K+ and can exceed $95K when layouts, plumbing, custom tile, and luxury features are involved.
- Lower-level projects can range from a $48K+ entertainment space to $125K+ customized lower levels with features such as a bathroom and wet bar.
- Understanding cabinetry, plumbing, structural work, surfaces, electrical upgrades, and labor helps homeowners build more realistic remodeling budgets.
One of the first questions homeowners ask when considering a major renovation is, “What is going to cost the most?” The answer isn’t always as simple as naming one room. Remodeling costs depend heavily on the existing home, the scope of construction, material selections, and how much the layout needs to change.
At David & Goliath Builders, we believe homeowners should understand where their investment is going before construction begins. Kitchens and bathrooms can be expensive because they combine cabinetry, plumbing, electrical work, and detailed finishes in relatively small spaces. Lower levels can become major projects as homeowners add bathrooms, bars, guest spaces, and entertainment areas. Whole-home renovations may also involve foundations, roofing, windows, siding, or other structural and exterior work.
Understanding these major cost drivers makes it easier to prioritize your project and develop a realistic budget.
Structural Changes and Repairs Can Be Major Cost Drivers
Foundation and Structural Repairs
Structural work can quickly become one of the largest contributors to remodeling costs because it affects the integrity of the home itself.
Foundation repairs or reinforcement require specialized expertise and may involve significant labor. Inside the home, removing or modifying load-bearing walls can require engineering, temporary structural support, and installation of new beams or framing.
These expenses can also arise unexpectedly. Once demolition begins, we may discover water damage, settling, deteriorated framing, or previous construction that needs to be corrected before the planned renovation can continue.
That’s why we encourage homeowners to maintain a contingency within their remodeling budget, particularly when renovating an older home.
Roofing and Exterior Improvements
The exterior of the home can represent another significant investment. Roof replacement, siding, windows, and related exterior improvements involve substantial material and labor costs.
These projects aren’t purely cosmetic. The roof, siding, windows, flashing, and other exterior components form the home’s protection against Wisconsin’s rain, snow, wind, and temperature changes.
When exterior work is part of a larger renovation, we look at these improvements as part of the home’s overall performance rather than treating them simply as visual upgrades.
Cabinetry Often Leads Kitchen Remodeling Costs
Custom Cabinets and Storage Solutions
In many kitchen renovations, cabinetry represents one of the largest individual expenses. Cabinets have an enormous influence on the finished appearance of the room, but they’re also responsible for storage, organization, and workflow.
Stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry can have dramatically different price points. Construction quality, door styles, finishes, hardware, organizers, and specialty storage features all affect the final investment.
At David & Goliath Builders, our kitchen remodeling options provide a useful example of how project scope changes the budget. A Premier Kitchen starts around $55K+, while projects around the $75K level can introduce greater customization. A Supreme Kitchen starts around $95K+ and can involve extensive layout changes, custom cabinetry, premium finishes, and other significant upgrades.
For a more detailed look at these investment levels, see our guide to What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Wisconsin?
Premium Countertops, Appliances, and Finishes
Cabinetry isn’t the only factor. Quartz or natural stone countertops, premium appliances, custom backsplashes, designer hardware, and upgraded flooring can all increase remodeling costs.
The key is deciding where premium selections will have the greatest impact. We help homeowners balance visual priorities with durability and everyday functionality rather than simply selecting the most expensive option in every category.
Plumbing Changes Can Increase Remodeling Costs Quickly
Relocating Fixtures Adds Complexity
Moving plumbing is one of the fastest ways to change a kitchen or bathroom budget.
Relocating sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, or appliances may require opening walls and floors and rerouting supply and drain lines. That means additional demolition, plumbing labor, reconstruction, and potentially inspections.
Keeping fixtures close to their existing locations can help control remodeling costs, but sometimes changing the layout is worth the additional investment because it creates a much more functional space.
Older Homes May Require Infrastructure Updates
Renovations can also uncover plumbing that is outdated or no longer appropriate for the newly remodeled space. The same is true of electrical systems.
Addressing these conditions during remodeling may increase the immediate investment, but it can also prevent future problems and ensure the renovated space performs as intended.
Why Bathroom Remodeling Costs Vary So Much
Bathrooms demonstrate particularly well why room size alone doesn’t determine renovation cost. A relatively small primary bathroom can require plumbing, electrical work, ventilation, waterproofing, cabinetry, countertops, tile, glass, and numerous fixtures.
Our bathroom remodels start around $35K+. More extensive projects can move toward the $50K level as homeowners incorporate greater customization. Highly customized bathrooms can exceed $95K+ when projects involve reconfigured layouts, relocated plumbing, heated flooring, custom tile showers, freestanding tubs, and premium finishes.
For homeowners considering a primary bathroom renovation, our Bathroom Remodel Costs Explained guide takes a closer look at what those different investment levels can include.
Tile Work and Surface Materials Add Significant Value and Cost
Detailed Tile Installation Requires Skilled Labor
Tile is another area where homeowners sometimes underestimate labor requirements. A backsplash is very different from a large custom shower with niches, benches, detailed patterns, and multiple transitions.
Bathroom waterproofing and custom shower construction require careful preparation before the visible tile is ever installed. Heated tile floors introduce another layer of materials and installation.
These details are part of why bathrooms can carry significant remodeling costs despite having a smaller footprint than kitchens or living spaces.
Premium Materials Affect the Final Investment
Quartz, natural stone, specialty tile, luxury plumbing fixtures, and designer hardware can elevate a renovation, but they also affect the budget.
We encourage homeowners to consider longevity alongside appearance. A durable material that performs well for many years may provide more value than choosing a less expensive product that needs earlier replacement.
Electrical and Lighting Upgrades Matter More Than You May Expect
Modern Homes Require More Power
Today’s kitchens, bathrooms, and entertainment spaces place greater demands on electrical systems than homes did decades ago.
Kitchen appliance circuits, additional outlets, under-cabinet lighting, heated bathroom floors, ventilation equipment, home entertainment systems, and other features may require electrical modifications.
Older homes can present additional challenges if existing wiring or electrical capacity needs to be upgraded as part of the renovation.
Lighting Changes How a Finished Space Feels
Lighting is also an important design element. Instead of relying on one central fixture, today’s remodeling projects often incorporate layers of recessed, task, accent, under-cabinet, and decorative lighting.
A thoughtful lighting plan improves functionality while helping the finished renovation feel intentional and complete.
Finished Lower Levels Can Become Major Living Spaces
Basements are another area where project scope can vary dramatically. A homeowner may simply want a comfortable entertainment room, while another family may envision a full extension of the home’s living space.
Our lower-level projects can begin around $48K+ for a single entertainment area. Around the $85K level, projects can introduce additional rooms and greater customization. Fully customized lower levels with features such as a bathroom and wet bar start around $125K+.
Bathrooms, wet bars, plumbing, custom cabinetry, specialty lighting, and premium finishes can all increase the investment, but they also make the lower level much more versatile.
Our guide to Is Finishing Your Basement Worth It? provides a closer look at what homeowners can expect at these different investment levels.
Labor and Project Complexity Affect the Entire Remodel
Skilled Trades Are Essential
Behind every finished surface are skilled professionals responsible for making the renovation work correctly.
Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals, masons, drywall installers, tile setters, and other trades may all contribute to a major remodeling project. The amount of coordination and specialized labor required directly influences remodeling costs.
More Complex Projects Require More Coordination
A cosmetic renovation where the layout stays intact is very different from a project involving wall removal, relocated plumbing, electrical upgrades, structural modifications, and custom finishes.
Complex projects require more planning, more labor, and more coordination. Understanding that relationship helps explain why two renovations of similarly sized spaces can have dramatically different budgets.
Planning Ahead Helps Control Remodeling Costs
The best way to control a remodeling budget isn’t necessarily to choose the least expensive materials. It’s to establish priorities and make informed decisions before construction begins.
Finalizing layouts and selections early can reduce change orders. Understanding potential hidden conditions can help establish an appropriate contingency. Working with an experienced remodeling team also gives you a clearer picture of how individual choices affect the total project.
At David & Goliath Builders, we want homeowners to understand their options before committing to a renovation. Our Home Remodeling Prices page provides additional information about typical investment levels for different types of projects.
The most expensive part of a remodel ultimately depends on what your home needs and what you want to accomplish. For one homeowner, it may be structural work. For another, it may be a completely reconfigured kitchen, luxury primary bathroom, or fully customized lower level.
Understanding the major sources of remodeling costs allows you to prioritize your investment where it will make the greatest difference in how your home looks, functions, and feels for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is usually the most expensive part of a remodel?
There isn’t one answer for every home. Structural changes, kitchens, bathrooms, lower levels, and major exterior projects can all represent significant investments depending on the project’s scope.
Why are kitchen remodels so expensive?
Kitchens combine cabinetry, countertops, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, lighting, and finishes. Layout changes and wall removal can further increase the investment. At David & Goliath Builders, kitchen remodeling starts around $55K+ and Supreme Kitchen projects start around $95K+.
Why can bathroom remodeling cost so much for a small room?
Bathrooms require several specialized trades within a compact area. Plumbing, waterproofing, tile installation, cabinetry, electrical work, ventilation, and fixtures all contribute to the total cost. Our bathroom remodels start around $35K+ and highly customized projects can exceed $95K+.
How much does finishing a lower level cost?
At David & Goliath Builders, a single finished entertainment area can begin around $48K+. More customized projects may reach approximately $85K, while fully customized lower levels with a bathroom and wet bar start around $125K+.
Do layout changes increase remodeling costs?
Yes. Moving plumbing, modifying electrical systems, relocating fixtures, or removing structural walls adds labor and construction complexity. However, these changes can be worthwhile when they significantly improve how the home functions.
Should homeowners budget for unexpected remodeling expenses?
Yes. Renovations, particularly in older homes, can reveal water damage, outdated plumbing or electrical systems, structural issues, or other hidden conditions once demolition begins. Including contingency funds can help homeowners prepare for those possibilities.
