Renovating an entire house sounds exciting until the numbers start adding up. Paint, flooring, electrical work, wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, lighting — suddenly, a simple makeover can become a much bigger investment than expected. So, how much should you actually keep aside?

There isn’t one fixed figure because the house renovation cost depends on the size of your home, its current condition, the materials you choose, and how much you want to change. For 2026, broad Indian estimates put renovation at roughly ₹1,000–₹4,000+ per sq ft, with basic projects costing much less than premium, highly customised work.

House Renovation Cost Per Sq Ft: A Quick Estimate

A useful starting point is to calculate your budget according to the property’s built-up area.

Renovation level

Approx. cost per sq ft

Basic makeover

₹800–₹1,200

Standard renovation

₹1,200–₹2,500

Premium renovation

₹2,500–₹4,000+

These are planning figures, not fixed quotations. Material choices, labour, location, structural work and customisation can push the final amount higher or lower.

For example, a 1,000 sq ft home could require roughly ₹8–12 lakh for a basic makeover, ₹12–25 lakh for a standard renovation, or ₹25–40 lakh+ for a premium project.

Home Renovation Cost: Where Does the Money Go?

A full renovation usually involves several areas rather than one large expense.

  • Kitchen: A standard kitchen renovation can start around ₹1.5 lakh and move beyond ₹5 lakh depending on cabinetry, countertops, hardware, appliances and finishes.
  • Bathrooms: Allow roughly ₹60,000–₹2.5 lakh per bathroom for new tiles, sanitaryware, plumbing, fittings, lighting and related work.
  • Flooring: Depending on the material, flooring may cost around ₹50–₹400 per sq ft. Basic tiles will naturally cost less than premium stone or specialised finishes.
  • Painting and wall finishes: A simple repaint may cost considerably less than textured walls, designer finishes or extensive surface preparation.
  • Electrical and plumbing: If the house is older, rewiring and plumbing upgrades can become a significant part of the budget. These aren’t the areas where cutting corners usually pays off.

Current Indian renovation estimates also show that kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, electrical work and plumbing can account for a substantial share of the overall spend.

Don't Forget Doors, Windows and Storage

These are easy to overlook when making a rough budget.Replacing old doors, windows, wardrobes, cabinets or built-in storage can add considerably to the home renovation cost. Custom carpentry will generally cost more than ready-made solutions, but it can make better use of awkward corners and available space.

If you’re renovating the entire house, decide early which furniture and storage you want to retain. There’s little point paying for new wardrobes if the existing ones can be refreshed and reused.

Structural Work Can Change the Budget Completely

This is where renovation estimates can become unpredictable.Removing walls, fixing cracks, addressing dampness, changing layouts, repairing roofs, upgrading old wiring or replacing damaged plumbing may reveal problems that weren’t visible initially.

That’s why it is sensible to keep around 10%–15% of your renovation budget as a contingency, particularly for older properties. Hidden damage, material changes and additional site work can quickly affect the final bill. Current renovation guides also recommend keeping a contingency allowance for unexpected expenses.

How to Keep Your House Renovation Cost Under Control

Start with a proper list.

Separate the work into essential, useful and purely decorative upgrades. Fix leaking pipes before spending on decorative wall treatments. Sort electrical safety issues before installing expensive lighting. Decide your flooring and cabinetry budget before choosing finishes.

It also helps to finalise materials before work begins. Constantly changing tiles, laminates, handles or fittings halfway through a project can create both delays and extra costs.

Devyam Interiors focuses on residential interior design with an emphasis on combining functionality, creativity and the homeowner’s personal style. The company also offers 360° interior visualisation, allowing clients to explore design details and finishes before execution.

Get a Detailed Estimate Before Starting

A per-square-foot figure is useful for getting a rough idea, but it shouldn’t be your final budget.

Before signing off on a renovation, ask for a detailed estimate covering materials, labour, demolition, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, painting, flooring, fittings, transportation, waste removal and finishing.

That makes it much easier to compare quotations properly. A cheaper quote isn’t necessarily cheaper if important items have been left out.

Conclusion

A complete renovation can transform an old or tired house into a space that feels genuinely yours. The key is knowing where your money is going before work starts. Your house renovation cost will depend on the property’s size, condition, design choices, materials and level of customisation, so use per-square-foot figures only as a starting point. With proper planning, realistic allowances and a clear scope of work, you can avoid many unpleasant budget surprises. Devyam Interiors combines residential design expertise with visual planning and practical space solutions to help homeowners turn renovation ideas into well-planned interiors.

FAQs

What is the average house renovation cost in India?

The house renovation cost in India can vary widely, but a practical 2026 planning range is around ₹800–₹4,000+ per sq ft depending on the project’s scope and finish level. A basic makeover will sit towards the lower end, while structural changes, premium materials and customised interiors can push the cost considerably higher.

The home renovation cost can be roughly estimated by multiplying your home’s built-up area by an expected renovation rate per sq ft. For example, 1,000 sq ft at ₹1,500 per sq ft gives a starting estimate of ₹15 lakh. A detailed quotation is still necessary because room requirements, materials, labour and existing property conditions vary.

The house renovation cost per sq ft can start around ₹800–₹1,200 for a basic makeover and reach ₹2,500–₹4,000 or more for premium work. Standard projects often fall somewhere between these levels. The final figure depends on flooring, kitchen and bathroom work, carpentry, electrical upgrades, painting, finishes and structural changes.

It can be. Older properties may need rewiring, plumbing replacement, damp treatment, structural repairs or other work that isn’t obvious during the initial inspection. These hidden issues can increase the home renovation cost considerably. Having the property assessed before finalising your budget can help identify major problems early and reduce unpleasant surprises later.

Keeping around 10%–15% above your planned renovation budget is a sensible starting point, particularly when renovating an older property. Unexpected plumbing problems, damaged wiring, surface issues, material changes or additional labour can appear once work begins. A contingency fund gives you room to handle these costs without compromising important parts of the renovation.