Cost to Repair Guides:
Search for a Specific Cost / Repair Guide

The following costs are intended as general cost estimates for repairs and/or improvements to a typical three bedroom home.  The scope and size of a project will dramatically affect actual costs. Costs also vary based on the part of the country the property is located. Also the quality and price of materials used varies widely. The information listed below should be used for basic planning and exploratory purposes.
For an, Up To Date cost of repair guide we recommend one of the following books or view the older estimates below.

Roofing - Flashings - Chimneys

Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles $1.25 - $2 / sq. ft.
Strip and re-shingle with conventional shingles $2 - $3 / sq. ft
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles $5 - $7 per sq. ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof $4 - $6 / sq. ft.
Strip and replace single-ply membrane $4 - 6 / sq. ft.
Reflash typical chimney $300 - $500
Reflash typical skylight $300 - $500
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line $100-$200 / lin. ft.
Repoint typical chimney above roof line $20-$30 / row
Exterior Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts $3 - $5 / lin. ft.
Soffits - Fascias - Repointing - Water Proofing Back to the top of the page
Install aluminum soffits and fascia $8 - $12 / lin. ft
Install aluminum or vinyl siding $3 - $4.50 / sq. ft.
Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar) $3 - 4.50 / sq. ft
Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar) $6 - $8 / sq. ft.
Parge foundation walls $3 - $4 / sq. ft.
Damp proof foundation walls and install weeping tile $60-$120 / lin. ft.
Garages - Decks - Retaining Walls - Foundation Back to the top of the page
Install a deck $12- $20 / sq. ft.
Rebuild exterior basement stairwell $3500 - $5000
Build detached garage(single) $8000 and up
Build detached garage (double) $12000 and up
Build retaining wall (wood) $20 - $25 /sq. ft.
Build retaining wall (concrete) $30 - $40 / sq. ft.
Structure Underpin one corner of house $3500 and up
Underpin or add foundations $300 + /lin. ft.
Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings $150-$300 / lin. ft.
Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete $60 and up/ lin. ft.
Install basement support post with proper foundation $200 - $400
Perform chemical treatment for termites $500 and up
Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation $400 - $800
Electric Repairs - Upgrades Back to the top of the page
Electrical Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps $1200-1800
Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps $1500 - $2000
Install new circuit breaker panel $500 - $700
Add 120 volt circuit $150 - $250
Add 240 volt circuit $250 - $350
Add conventional receptacle $75 - $150
Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle $60 - $90
Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity
(assuming electrician already there)
$5 - $10 ea.
Install conventional alarm system fire- burg $1000 and up
Heating Systems - Air Conditioning Back to the top of the page
Heating install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace $1700 - $2500
Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace $2500 - $3500
Install drum-type humidifier $200 - $300
Install electronic air filter $500 - $800
Install mid-efficiency boiler $2500 - $4000
Install high-efficiency boiler $5000 - $9000
Rebuild firepot (refractory) on boiler $500 - $800
Install circulating pump $400 - $600
Install chimney liner $300 - $700
Install set-back thermostat $100 - $300
Remove oil tank from basement $200 - $400
Remove abandoned underground oil tank $3500 and up
Replace radiator valve $75 - $150
Add electric baseboard heater $150 - $250
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (cape) $8000 - $10000
Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two story) $15000 - $20000
Clean ductwork $250 and up
Cooling/Heat Pumps Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system $2000-$3000
Add heat pump to forced-air system $3000-$4000
Replace heat pump or air conditioning compressor $800 - $1400
Install independent air conditioning system $8000 - $15000
Insulation Back to the top of the page
Insulation Insulate open attic to modern standards $1 - $1.50 / sq. ft.
Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity $2 - $3.50 /sq. ft.
Improve attic ventilation $40 - $50 per vent
Plumbing Back to the top of the page
Plumbing Replace galvanized piping with copper (2 story with one bathroom) $2000 - $2500
Replace water line to house $1500 - $3500
Replace toilet $300 and up
Replace basin $200 and up
Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile $1500 and up
Install whirlpool bath $3000 and up
Retile bathtub enclosure $800 - $1200
Replace leaking shower stall pan $1000 - $1600
Rebuild tile shower stall $1500 - $2500
Replace laundry tubs $250 - $500
Remodel four-piece bathroom completely $6000 and up
Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers $3000 and up
Install submersible pump $800 and up
Install suction or jet pump $400 - $600
Install modest basement bathroom $4000 and up
Carpentry - Finish Work Back to the top of the page
Sand and refinish hardwood floors $1.50 - $3 /sq. ft.
Interior add drywall over plaster $1.50-$2.50 /sq. ft
Install replacement windows $200 - $400 ea
Install storm windows $75 - $200 ea.
Install skylight $500 and up
Remodel kitchen completely $8000 and up
Painting (trim only) $1500 - $2500
Painting (trim and wall surfaces) $3000 and up
Fireplaces - Stoves Back to the top of the page
Repoint chimney (2 story) $700 and up
Convert coal-burning fireplace to wood-burning unit $800 and up
Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed - in ) $2000 and up
Install zero-clearance fireplace (including chimney) $2500 and up
Install glass doors on fireplace $300 and up
Install gas Insert into existing fireplace $2500 and up
For an, Up To Date cost of repair guide we recommend one of the following books.

"Home Repair" - Google News

"Home Repair" - Google News

Google News


07/28/2010 04:04 AM
Got flood damage? Watch out for home repair scams - Chicago Sun-Times


Got flood damage? Watch out for home repair scams
Chicago Sun-Times
Illinois law requires a written contract listing all costs for home repair or remodeling work over $1000. • Be wary of contractors who demand full payment ...

and more »

07/28/2010 06:23 PM
Chemung seniors can apply for home repair grants - Elmira Star-Gazette


Chemung seniors can apply for home repair grants
Elmira Star-Gazette
Community Progress Inc. has emergency housing repair funds available for Chemung County senior homeowners, outside of the city of Elmira, who are age 60 or ...

and more »

08/01/2010 12:05 AM
Healthful Hints: Bandage a cut at home, or go to the doc? - Winona Daily News


Healthful Hints: Bandage a cut at home, or go to the doc?
Winona Daily News
Should you question the wisdom of home repair, then repair to the medical care facility for help. Should you do your own patching, to repeat, ...


08/01/2010 12:33 AM
Mrs Fixit: Dented Door - 6abc.com


Mrs Fixit: Dented Door
6abc.com
From home repair or to handy how-to hints, Mrs. Fixit has the answers you need. August 1, 2010 - (WPVI) -- If you have a steel entry door and it has some ...


07/28/2010 05:04 PM
Home Repair With Roger Faris - KUOW NPR


KUOW NPR

Home Repair With Roger Faris
KUOW NPR
When it comes to home repair, there can be unexpected complications. How do you finish roofing a house when it's pouring rain? How can you safely paint your ...


07/28/2010 07:50 AM
Grant will help repair homes of low-income residents - Hamilton Journal News (subscription)


Grant will help repair homes of low-income residents
Hamilton Journal News (subscription)
HAMILTON — People Working Cooperatively, a local nonprofit organization that provides critical home repair to help residents stay safely in their homes, ...

and more »

07/26/2010 05:45 PM
City Warns Flood Victims of Home Repair Scams - MyFox Chicago


City Warns Flood Victims of Home Repair Scams
MyFox Chicago
Chicago - Chicago is warning flood victims to watch out for fraudulent home repair companies that may try to prey upon residents affected by severe weekend ...

and more »

07/28/2010 05:00 PM
"Honey-Do" Home Repair Program - KOLO


"Honey-Do" Home Repair Program
KOLO
CARSON CITY, NV - Carson City Resident Christina Slade can get in and out of her side gate a lot easier these days. But a little less than a year ago, ...


07/27/2010 09:22 AM
ETCOG seeks funding to repair homes of elderly - News-Journal.com


ETCOG seeks funding to repair homes of elderly
News-Journal.com
A Dallas-based home repair program has dissolved, forcing nearly five dozen East Texas elderly homeowners to wait indefinitely for assistance. ...
57 low-income elders left hanging by program closureKilgore News Herald

all 2 news articles »

07/31/2010 07:21 AM
Xbox 360 3 Red Lights: The Options You Have For A Fast, Permanent Fix! - MyNews.in (blog)


Xbox 360 3 Red Lights: The Options You Have For A Fast, Permanent Fix!
MyNews.in (blog)
Well what a lot of gamers have been doing is taking the matter into their own hands and using a good home repair method for the 3 red lights. ...

and more »

"Home Maintenance" - Google News

"Home Maintenance" - Google News

Google News


07/30/2010 12:12 AM
Extension workshop will discuss home maintenance - East Dubuque Register


Extension workshop will discuss home maintenance
East Dubuque Register
With the recent events in our economy, it is more important than ever to take care of your biggest investment - your home. University of Illinois Extension ...


07/30/2010 10:06 AM
Reverse Mortgages Aren't Catching On - U.S. News & World Report (blog)


Reverse Mortgages Aren't Catching On
U.S. News & World Report (blog)
Homeowners remain responsible for all home maintenance expenses and property taxes. Under certain conditions, the products are a sensible solution for aging ...

and more »

07/31/2010 04:14 PM
Updates for Building Material Companies, NWTT.PK, AWI, & RPM from Stock-PR.com - TMCnet


Updates for Building Material Companies, NWTT.PK, AWI, & RPM from Stock-PR.com
TMCnet
RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement, boat repair and maintenance, and by hobbyists. ...

and more »

07/19/2010 11:27 PM
Basic Home Maintenance course offered in Asheville - Asheville Citizen-Times


Basic Home Maintenance course offered in Asheville
Asheville Citizen-Times
The Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center is offering a five-series Basic Home Maintenance Course from 5:30-7:30 pm Mondays August 2-30. ...

and more »

07/31/2010 11:43 AM
The Frugalista Challenge! Eight Good Reasons to Live La Vida Frugalista - ChicagoNow (blog)


ChicagoNow (blog)

The Frugalista Challenge! Eight Good Reasons to Live La Vida Frugalista
ChicagoNow (blog)
... without dipping into savings, save for the kids' college, save for our home maintenance and improvement, for buying a car, and for taking a vacation. ...

and more »

07/29/2010 07:31 AM
Home and garden news and notes - Kansas City Star


Home and garden news and notes
Kansas City Star
(Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries ...

and more »

07/29/2010 12:26 PM
Applications sought for Habitat for Humanity home ownership in White County - Carmi Times


Applications sought for Habitat for Humanity home ownership in White County
Carmi Times
... their own home or help other families build theirs; and attend home ownership classes to learn skills in home maintenance and financial management. ...

and more »

07/27/2010 02:49 PM
Council nixes property maintenance code change - Tri-Town News


Council nixes property maintenance code change
Tri-Town News
The purpose of the home maintenance sections are to maintain public health, safety and welfare, according to the ordinance, but several council members were ...


07/26/2010 08:02 PM
20 quick maintenance chores - AZ Central.com


20 quick maintenance chores
AZ Central.com
26, 2010 05:36 PM Not every home-maintenance chore takes a lot of time and money. Here are 20 worthwhile tasks that will take you 20 minutes or less and ...

and more »

07/31/2010 01:42 AM
Climbing vine hard to manage - Akron Beacon Journal


Climbing vine hard to manage
Akron Beacon Journal
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries ...


Electrical OR Plumbing OR Roof OR HVAC OR Fireplace OR Chimney location:usa - Google News

Electrical OR Plumbing OR Roof OR HVAC OR Fireplace OR Chimney location:usa - Google News

Google News


07/31/2010 09:50 PM
Cracks in roof actually help Alamo, says report - Houston Chronicle


Cracks in roof actually help Alamo, says report
Houston Chronicle
A highly anticipated engineer's report on the Alamo's concrete roof says the water-stained cracks visitors see in the crown of the ceiling ...
Roof 'stable and safe,' Alamo report saysDallas Morning News

all 8 news articles »

07/31/2010 10:16 PM
Door has been opened again for dream of Super Bowl in KC - Kansas City Star


Kansas City Star

Door has been opened again for dream of Super Bowl in KC
Kansas City Star
Arrowhead Stadium needed a retractable roof. The city needed to upgrade its amenities. But the point was that it was possible: a Super Bowl in Kansas City. ...

and more »

07/31/2010 12:53 AM
Gas explosion blows roof off Los Angeles welding shop, hurls and seriously ... - New York Daily News


msnbc.com

Gas explosion blows roof off Los Angeles welding shop, hurls and seriously ...
New York Daily News
Los Angeles – A catastrophic gas explosion blew the roof off a South Los Angeles building early Friday, leaving one worker clinging to life and a second man ...
2 dead after South LA roof collapseABC30.com
Explosion at South Los Angeles plant injures owner, kills manLos Angeles Times
Tampering With Gas Line Caused Blast, Officials SayNew York Times
LAFD News & Information (blog) -Christian Science Monitor
all 830 news articles »

07/30/2010 11:31 PM
Storm damages roof of Arizona Cardinals stadium - BusinessWeek


ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)

Storm damages roof of Arizona Cardinals stadium
BusinessWeek
Authorities say the roof of the Arizona Cardinals' stadium in Glendale was slightly damaged Thursday by a thunderstorm that packed high winds. ...
Roof repairs to begin at University of Phoenix Stadium in GlendaleArizona Republic
Storms tear roof off Cardinals' stadiumABC15.com (KNXV-TV)
Damaged assessed to UOP StadiumBizjournals.com
ABC News -AZFamily
all 170 news articles »

07/31/2010 09:33 PM
Cano's blast punctuates Yanks' homer attack - MLB.com


Cano's blast punctuates Yanks' homer attack
MLB.com
PETERSBURG -- The oatmeal-colored roof and climate-controlled atmosphere of Tropicana Field allow it to be any month you want, and so for the Yankees, ...

and more »

07/31/2010 07:50 PM
Electrical Junction Box Started Fire that Killed Greenwood Couple - Greenwood Today


Greenwood Today

Electrical Junction Box Started Fire that Killed Greenwood Couple
Greenwood Today
Today, Greenwood County Fire Coordinator Corey Grumelot said that investigators determined that the fire began in an electrical junction box located on the ...
No one hurt in fireGreenwood Index Journal

all 3 news articles »

07/30/2010 04:27 PM
Injured worker rescued from roof of UNI-Dome - Chicago Tribune


KCRG

Injured worker rescued from roof of UNI-Dome
Chicago Tribune
AP Cedar Falls Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Roger Stensland says a crew was removing part of the roof when the man slipped, fell and slid some distance down ...
Injured worker rescued from UNI-Dome roofWaterloo Cedar Falls Courier

all 24 news articles »

07/31/2010 04:38 PM
One union's demise - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


One union's demise
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In the 1960s, members of Local 1111 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers marched outside the Allen-Bradley Co. plant in Milwaukee. ...

and more »

07/31/2010 10:48 PM
House + Home calendar | Aug. 1-6 - Kansas City Star


House + Home calendar | Aug. 1-6
Kansas City Star
Beginning Electrical Workshop. Advance registration, $75. 913-439-1581, www.k2workshops.org Aug. 6-7: Friday, 10 am-7 pm; Saturday, 9 am-5 pm Weston. ...


07/29/2010 09:23 PM
NFL raising the roof on noise meter at stadiums this season - USA Today


NFL raising the roof on noise meter at stadiums this season
USA Today
and "Raise the Roof!" while the visiting team's call plays. Clubs must cease when the play clock hits 15 seconds. As before, fans can't use noisemakers (no ...

and more »

InspectionNews - Home Inspection

InspectionNews - Home Inspection

InspectionNews.net is the first, the largest and still the BEST independent home inspection resource and message board. InspectionNews has all the home inspection resources you could want.


07/31/2010 01:31 PM
Fine Art Photography

Hey, just because I took it by accident doesn't mean it isn't ART. Obviously it's a commentary on the post-modern existential crisis of Western hegemonic culture!

07/31/2010 11:43 AM
Home Project

What do you think of my latest project. If you don't have shade, you've got to build you some.:D rick

07/31/2010 11:35 AM
Return Duct (NOPE)

Saw this yesterday. The AC was running at the time when I opened this main return air vent on the ceiling (the only return vent in the unit). The filter fell right out. No air draw, no suction. I even put a piece of toilet paper up to the vent to see if it was getting any draw in the least. Nothing. The duct you see running above the vent cover is the supply. All the return air was being pulled from the ceiling cavity between the unit I inspected and the unit above. The builder rep who was there said "if it was wrong, there'd be a problem with the air in here. Look, it's 76 degrees". HUH?????? He also said that two HVAC companies had looked at it said nothing was wrong. Sigh. The builder rep alos poo-poo'd my calling out of an S-trap on the kitchen sink drain line. He said, you won't get that kind of trap in Philadelphia". Wha........?????????? I asked him what kind of trap will you see. He said "they just want to see a trap". Double sigh. The shower head supply line in one of the shower stalls had about 2-3 inches of play inside the wall. When I mentioned it to the client, the rep looked at the marble tile surround and said "you know that's not going to get fixed. Look at that marble". Triple sigh. It's lovely what $400,000 for a condo will get you these days. Also included are pics of the horizontal balusters on the balcony (4th floor), one strand of the service cable not secured beneath the lug inside the panel box, and arcing on wires at the top of the panel box interior where the cable is rubbing against the bushing clamp.

07/31/2010 07:49 AM
2 furnace units attached

Has anyone heard of attaching 2 furnaces together and using them in sequence? Found the blower compartment sides removed and the furnaces are both activated for heating and cooling. I was thinking that this might throw off the air balance with the 2 blowers both on at once or some other issue. Seemed strange to me. Small commercial aplication.

07/30/2010 07:39 PM
2 roof layers on manufactured home

A question was brought up to me regarding a 1980 manufactured home with 2 layers of roofing. Statements were made that multiple roof layers are not allowed on these structures. Can anybody comment on this or better yet give me the HUD requirements. Thanks for comments and answers, Chip

07/30/2010 05:42 PM
NOTCHED BEAM

Small commercial building; The beam is apparently oversized but I am pretty sure that a notch in a beam is worse than a smaller beam as far as structural integrity goes. Any feedback appreciated. That duct tape looks pretty dated and I am guessing it is not UL listed tape. :D

07/30/2010 05:18 PM
light in shower

did an inspection today and there was a light in the bath/shower stall, in the celing, is that ok?

07/30/2010 05:16 PM
supports

how would you write this up

07/30/2010 05:12 PM
wood burning stove flue

this is from a wood burning stove, what do you think

07/30/2010 04:44 PM
Kitchen sink peninsula.

This is a kitchen sink on a peninsula. Does there need to be an air inlet? Is this plumbed correctly?

07/30/2010 03:56 PM
Need an opinion from a sweep...

I came across this vent termination in a housing track built in 1988, which all of the houses were identical. The box is a majestic MBUC36 and the instructions that i could locate do not show this type of termination, it just shows a cap. So my question is, should there be a separation of the debris flue and cooling flues within this shroud? And / or is the cooling system too close to the debris flue (center flue).

07/30/2010 03:49 PM
Rafter Splice/Engineers comments

Inspected this attic of a modular home several months ago. I had limited access to the attic but called out the rafter splices as questionable. Engineer comes back and says they are a "hinged roof truss framing system...and are common construction techniques in the modular home industy" and that all is ok. The first pic is in an attic knee wall area. The other pics are of the attic. I think the engineer looked in behind the knee walls and didn't actually enter the attic. (area above a third floor ceiling) I am just looking for other opinions.

07/30/2010 03:11 PM
Basement Issues - Structural

Hey All, I have a question that may be a good learning experience for all. First, I was doing an inspection in Westmont on a duplex (Row home type built in 1908). See attached photos - Here is the situation: The flat roof was in good shape and drained perfectly - all good. The second floor slope in towards the stairwell located along the party wall as follows: from the front and rear bedrooms the floor slopes about ½ inch every four feet towards the stairwell. The lateral slope from the side bedroom is One Inch/four feet. Pretty drastic, but it is amazing how subtle it seems until you actually measure it. The second floor has the same slope issues and you can see that the stairs leading into the basement have a slope away from the party wall towards the open basement. There has been a very temporary fix with a couple of lolly columns and a 4x4 that seems to have arrested the situation (judging by the paint at the top of walls) and the floors seem solid above (no bounce or even loose hardwood flooring). More evidence: If you look at the pictures of the walls of the basement it looks like the basement was lowered to the bottom of the foundation (without any added lateral support) and a floor poured. In the corner, a sump pump was recently added and in doing so a corner or the basement is open to the dirt below the pour. I was able to take a four foot probe (see picture) and drive it right under the foundation walls at several points. (There is also evidence of erosion under this corner caused by poor drainage, but that is another issue). What I think happened is that the basement was lowered a long long time ago (judging by the poured floor). When this happened they opened up the floor to put in the basement steps and did not adequately support the trimmers around the stairwell. Lastly – you would think you would see settlement cracks somewhere – there are none inside or out. The basement walls look plumb (though there is a LOT of junk in this basement. What are your thoughts? Did they lower basements in the past without any added lateral support? What would you recommend for the stairwell issue: a licensed contractor or a structural engineer?

07/30/2010 02:06 PM
Type of in floor

Any idea what brand this in floor tubing is? It was installed around 89 or 90.

07/30/2010 12:56 PM
Trying to Force Payment at Closing on Me

I did a reinspect yesterday on a property I inspected for a client a few weeks ago. Well my client's realtor called me last week about the reinspect and asked if I take payment at closing. I said no, payment is due at time of inspection. So yesterday was the reinspect, the buyer gives me a check, but her agent asks about getting my tax ID# (something about the title company or somebody needing but didn't say exactly what for). Hmmmmm.....nobody ever asked me for that before. So yesterday afternoon, I get a message from the realtor saying if I have not yet cashed the buyer's check for the reinspect to hold onto it because the bank is going to send me a check for the reinspect.......and that they need my tax ID#. Ahhhhhh.......so it seems that even though I said "no payment at closing", it was going to be done this way all along and the buyer just gave me a check to play along (?). I e-mailed the realtor reiterating our conversation from a week ago where I said "no payment at closing". Now the reinspect was yesterday and closing is just today. But it seems that nobody wants to listen to what the inspector says is the way payment needs to be made. The realtor called me a little while ago again saying the bank needs my tax ID#. 1 - I have one but don't know where it is (I have no need to have it on hand) 2 - I'm not going to go digging around my office to find it and give it to them so they can pay me the way I specifically stated in a manner I do not accept (at closing). The realtor then said if I don't know where it is they'll need my SSN#. Let me think about tha......NO!!! I'm not giving my social to anybody. WTF!!!! I'm annoyed about many things here but mainly because this is apparently the way the bank was planning on reimbursing my client for the reinspect fee but they purposely held off on telling me and tried to get me to do things to suit the bank. Now I have to say I have no idea the way getting paid at closing works so I don't know if the bank/lender/title company needing a SSN or tax ID # is standard practice to cut a check to the inspector. I've never done payment at closing and I don't really like the idea of giving them the info they were requesting.

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