Update Small Home

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Small Home Makeovers project

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Small Home Makeovers 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 Small Home Makeovers 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 Small Home Makeovers project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Small Home Makeovers - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Small Home Makeovers 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 descriptionUpdate finishes and materials in all rooms other than kitchen and bathrooms in a small home. Update molding, flooring, doors, switchplates and decorative hardware. Add built-in speakers and modern recessed lighting. Install new window treatments. Use above average grade of materials, fabrication and installation quality.
Project size900 square feet
Material and labor cost$16,407 - $19,142
Material cost$10,089 - $11,771
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Small Home Makeovers project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Small Home Makeovers requires attention to detail and careful planning.
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 Small Home Makeovers project in an appropriate neighborhood can return 93% or more of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns will be impacted by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Small Home Makeovers project can return as much as 67% - 78% of its initial cost
Green ratingSmall Home Makeovers projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials.

Small Home Makeovers - Project Plan and Details

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

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

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Prepare Home Decorating IdeasInterior Designer4 to 10 d$1,033 - $1,724 per project
Produce Home Remodeling PlansGeneral Contractor3 to 5 d$771 - $1,288 per project
Compile Home Remodeling Materials ListGeneral Contractor3 to 5 d$771 - $1,288 per project
Prepare Home Remodeling BudgetGeneral Contractor3 to 5 d$578 - $966 per project
Install Wall InsulationInsulation Contractor1 d$1.51 - $2.65 per square foot
Insulate AtticInsulation Contractor1 d$1.86 - $3.35 per square foot
Install Can LightingElectrician1 to 3 d$211 - $361
Install Crown MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$9.36 - $16.34 per linear foot
Install French DoorsFinish Carpenter1 d$1,494 - $2,688
Install Interior DoorFinish Carpenter1 d$260 - $447 per door
Install Replacement WindowsFinish Carpenter1 d$573 - $1,013
Install Door LockFinish Carpenter1 d$212 - $377 per door
Install MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$4.80 - $8.30 per linear foot
Paint MoldingPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.81 - $3.07 per linear foot
Paint RoomsPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$5.74 - $9.79 per square foot
Install Bamboo FlooringFlooring Contractor1 to 2 d$8.15 - $14.10 per square foot
Install Light SwitchElectrician1 d$155 - $261
Install Window ShadesFinish Carpenter1 d$127 - $223

Small Home Makeovers - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Small Home Makeovers project plan.

  • To maximize return on the Small Home Makeovers project, limit cost to no more than 5.75% of home's total, post project value
  • For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
  • To keep Small Home Makeovers costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
  • For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Small Home Makeovers
  • For best resale value, select components, appliances, finishes and fixtures of comparable quality
  • Recess speakers into walls or ceiling to share media system access and create room ambiance
  • Use separate, individually controllable lighting circuits for ambient and task lighting
  • Use furniture, fixtures and accessories scaled appropriately to the room size

Hiring Local Professionals

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