Restore Interior

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Interior Restoration project

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Interior Restoration Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Interior Restoration investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?

Costs, materials and best practices for the example Interior Restoration project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Interior Restoration - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Interior Restoration project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project descriptionRestore single, existing room to original condition. Repair and refinish molding, flooring, doors, switchplates and decorative hardware. Modernize lighting. Paint room and update window treatments.
Project size180 square feet
Material and labor cost$5,261 - $6,137
Material cost$1,935 - $2,258
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Interior Restoration project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Interior Restoration requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home.
First year Return on Investment - ROIResults vary widely and can be affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Interior Restoration project in an appropriate neighborhood can return 93% or more of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Interior Restoration project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost.
Green ratingInterior Restoration projects commonly employ renewable resources and environmentally friendly materials. It is often the case that existing components and materials can be recycled or reused in the Interior Restoration project.

Interior Restoration - Project Plan and Details

The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Interior Restoration. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Interior Restoration project. Click any Task name for a complete written specifications, FAQs and quality checklist for the task - this essential information will help you control Interior Restoration project cost and quality.

Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Interior Restoration project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Create Design ConceptInterior Designer2 to 15 d$774 - $1,293
Create Remodeling ChecklistGeneral Contractor1 to 2 d$289 - $483 per design
Define Home DecorInterior Designer4 to 10 d$1,033 - $1,724 per project
Specify MaterialsInterior Designer2 to 15 d$258 - $431
Specify FinishesInterior Designer1 to 2 d$774 - $1,293
Repair Plaster SurfaceDrywall and Plaster Contractor3 to 5 d$362 - $609
Repair Ceiling PlasterDrywall and Plaster Contractor1 to 2 d$194 - $328
Repair Wall PlasterDrywall Contractor1 d$165 - $279
Replace Cabinet DoorsFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$270 - $469
Install Replacement WindowsFinish Carpenter1 d$573 - $1,013
Remove PaintPainting Contractor1 to 2 d$4.25 - $7.26 per square foot
Remove WallpaperPainter1 to 3 d$1.91 - $3.23 per square foot
Stain And Finish WoodworkPainting Contractor2 to 4 d$4.36 - $7.38 per linear foot
Refinish Wood MoldingPainting Contractor2 to 4 d$10.40 - $17.50 per linear foot
Stain FloorsWood Flooring Installer2 to 4 d$1.18 - $2.06 per square foot
Refinish FloorsWood Flooring Refinisher2 to 5 d$3.20 - $5.46 per square foot
Refinish StairsWood Flooring Refinisher2 to 5 d$9.07 - $15.30 per square foot
Replace Electrical OutletElectrician1 d$101 - $174
Replace Electric SwitchElectrician1 d$74 - $126
Install Telephone JackElectrician1 d$186 - $315

Interior Restoration - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Interior Restoration project plan.

  • To maximize return on the Interior Restoration project, limit cost to no more than 2.5% of home's total, post project value
  • For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
  • To keep Interior Restoration costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
  • For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Interior Restoration
  • For best resale value, select components, appliances, finishes and fixtures of comparable quality

Hiring Local Professionals

How to hire a trustworthy pro contractor for your project

Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project.



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