The biggest decision many people will face when remodeling their home is how much to budget and which rooms will get the facelift. Are you planning a remodeling out of necessity or looking to create a more functional and aesthetically-pleasing space? Remodeling in a city like Los Angeles can be a difficult enterprise, especially as the cost of construction materials appears to be on the rise.
Before you grab the sledgehammer and start knocking down walls, take a look at what you can expect when it comes to remodeling your home.
Break Down of Remodeling Costs Per Room
The cost of remodeling any room in your house will depend on several factors. In most cases, you can expect to pay the following:
- Kitchen: Between $30,000 and $100,000
- Bathroom: Between $15,000 and $60,000
- Bedrooms: Approximately $10,000
- Entire House: Between $100 and $400 per square foot
How to Keep Costs Down
No matter how well you plan your remodeling projects and the budget, you will almost always end up spending more. When it comes to wet areas, the highest costs involve moving the plumbing across the room, so whenever possible, keep things like the kitchen sink, dishwasher, toilets, vanities, and shower fittings in their place to considerably lower your remodeling costs.
Support Beams and Walls
Major structural changes to any part of a remodeling project can amount to some pretty serious costs. If you need to move things like support beams or walls, the costs increase quite drastically. If you insist on changing any part of your home’s structure, you will need to hire a structural engineer to advise the construction crew on the best way to do this without compromising the house’s structural integrity — an architect will also help with the design and complexities of your renovation project.
When Are Permits Needed?
Not every renovation or remodeling job in Los Angeles needs a building permit. If you’re simply adding a feature wall in your living room, a permit is not required. However, any remodeling involving plumbing, electrical, or structural work will need a permit. You can be certain the local authorities will send a building inspector to examine the work when it is completed to make sure it is up to code, so it’s best to get it done right from the start.
Beware of the HOA
If you live in an apartment building, condo, or gated community with an HOA (Homeowners’ Association), you may be able to conduct small projects without their approval. For example, if you are replacing light fixtures you wouldn’t need approval, but you would if you are rewiring your electricals. Most larger projects should not be started until the HOA has approved it.
As with all home remodeling projects, make sure they will add value to your home if you ever put your home up for sale. The last thing any homeowner wants to find out is that the remodeling costs drained the family budget without increasing the home’s value.
