Finance category
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Rehab Budget Calculator
Estimate a defensible renovation budget before you buy. Build line items by trade, add a contingency, and factor in debt service and holding costs so the all-in project cost is realistic.
Property and scope
Rehab line items
Holding costs
Holding costs track debt service, taxes, insurance, and utilities while the project is being renovated.
Total rehab budget
$49,335
$34 per sq ft
Hard costs before contingency
$42,900
Contingency buffer
$6,435
15% of hard costs
All-in rehab + holding
$59,818
Scope check
Budget covers a light-to-medium rehab with kitchen and bath updates plus selective system work.
Monthly debt service
$1,647
Total holding cost
$10,483
Cost per sq ft
$34.02
A larger contingency is standard on older homes, gut rehabs, or projects with unknown plumbing, roof, or foundation conditions. Holding costs assume the loan interest is being paid during the renovation — interest-only or draw loans may adjust the actual monthly carrying amount.
How to Use
- Enter the property square footage and a contingency percentage — 10–20% is common on experienced rehabs.
- Add dollar amounts by trade: kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, mechanicals, roof, exterior, and permits.
- Estimate rehab timeline in months plus the loan amount, rate, and other monthly carrying costs like taxes and insurance.
- Review total rehab cost, dollars per square foot, and the all-in cost including holding.
- Compare this rehab budget with an ARV estimate to pressure-test the deal before making an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a rehab cost per square foot?
Light cosmetic rehabs often run $10–$25 per square foot. Light-to-medium renovations with kitchen and bath updates typically run $25–$45 per square foot. Full rehabs land around $45–$75 per square foot, and gut renovations can exceed $100 per square foot.
Why include a contingency?
Hidden conditions like outdated wiring, plumbing, subfloor damage, or roof issues are discovered after demo. A 10–20% contingency keeps the budget intact when those surprises show up.
What are holding costs?
Holding costs are the monthly carrying costs while the property is being renovated and not producing rent or a sale — typically debt service, property tax, insurance, utilities, and any inspection or HOA fees.
Does this include purchase price?
No. This calculator focuses only on rehab and holding. Combine this with ARV and a max offer target to get total project cost including the acquisition.
How should I use the output?
Feed the total rehab budget into the ARV calculator to see the max allowable offer under the 70% rule. If the rehab pushes the offer below what sellers will accept, reduce scope or walk.
Related Calculators
House Flipping Profit Calculator
Combine this rehab total with ARV and financing to see projected flip profit and cash-on-cash return.
ARV Calculator
Estimate after-repair value from comps and back into a max allowable offer that fits this rehab budget.
Rental Cash Flow Calculator
If the property becomes a BRRRR hold, model post-rehab cash flow with your new rent assumption.
Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator
Translate rehab spend into cash invested and see the return on the final leveraged deal.
Cap Rate Calculator
Check property income performance at post-rehab NOI before deciding on a refinance or sale.
DSCR Calculator
Pressure-test whether post-rehab NOI supports a DSCR refinance loan out of the project.
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