Budget & Cost

Room Renovation Budget Calculator

Estimate a renovation from room area, finish rate, fixed work, professional fees, and contingency.

Project cost worksheet

Enter the budget assumptions for Room Renovation Budget Calculator

m²
%
%
Method for this tool

What the Room Renovation Budget Calculator actually calculates

Construction cost is area times rate plus fixed work. The fee percentage applies to all construction cost; contingency applies afterward to construction plus fees. The tool does not provide market rates, calculate tax separately, inspect existing conditions, or distinguish fixed-fee permits from percentage fees.

The calculation path

Area-based work and fixed items form construction cost; fees and contingency are layered afterward.

Inputs that can change the answer

  • Room area: Enter room area in m².
  • Finish cost per m²: Enter finish cost per m² in the selected currency; keep tax and included work consistent.
  • Fixed plumbing/electrical: Enter fixed plumbing/electrical as a number; use the definition in the calculation method.
  • Design/permit fees: Percentage applied at the stage shown in the method; enter 10 for ten percent.
  • Contingency: Percentage applied at the stage shown in the method; enter 10 for ten percent.
  • Currency: Label for all entered prices; no currency conversion is performed.

Checks that stay outside the formula

Older or unopened spaces justify a larger contingency than cosmetic refreshes.

A practical order for entering the data

  1. Enter room area and a locally sourced finish-work price per square metre.
  2. Add fixed plumbing or electrical work that is excluded from that area rate.
  3. Enter percentage fees and contingency, then compare the staged subtotals with the scope of actual quotes.

Engine check using the prefilled sample

Budget example: room area = 20 m², finish cost per m² = 450, fixed plumbing/electrical = 2200, design/permit fees = 8 %, contingency = 15 % and currency = USD ($). Swap these demonstration amounts for current figures from the project before using the total as a budget.

Results for these inputs

Construction subtotal
11,200.00 USD
With fees
12,096.00 USD
Recommended budget
13,910.40 USD

Room Renovation Budget Calculator — Budget questions before committing spend

Can I enter a fixed permit fee in the fees field?

No. That field is a percentage. Account for fixed charges separately and avoid treating a currency amount as a percent.

Does the square-metre rate already include plumbing?

That depends on your source quote. Add fixed work only when it is not already included in the rate.