The following costs are intended as ballpark estimates for repairs and/or improvements to a typical three bedroom home. Our experience has shown that actual contractor quotations can vary by as much as 300%. Naturally, the quality of workmanship and materials will influence costs. The complexity of the job, accessibility and even economic conditions can also alter actual costs.

Roofing / Flashings / Chimneys

Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles

$1.50 - $2.50 per sq.ft.

Strip and reshingle on medium sloped roof

$2.50- $3.50 per sq.ft.

Strip and reshingle on steep, high or complex roof

$4.00 - $7.00 per sq.ft.

Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles

$7.00 - $10.00 per sq.ft.

Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof

$8.00 - $12.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)

Strip and replace single-ply membrane

$6.00 - $10.00 per sq.ft. (min. $750)

Reflash typical skylight or chimney

$300.00 - $500.00

Rebuild typical chimney above roof line

$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $300)

Repoint typical chimney above roof line

$6.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft. (min. $250)

Exterior

Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts

$4.00 - $5.00 per lin.ft. (min. $500)

Install aluminum soffits and fascia

$8.00 - $12.00 per lin.ft.

Install aluminum or vinyl siding

$3.50 - $5.00 per sq.ft.

Repoint exterior wall (soft mortar)

$3.00 - 4.50 per sq.ft. (min. $200)

Repoint exterior wall (hard mortar)

$6.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft. (min. $200)

Parge foundation walls

$3.00 - $4.00 per sq.ft.

Dampproof foundation walls and install weeping tile

$150.00 - $200.00 per lin.ft. (min. $1000)

Install a deck

$25.00 - $40.00 per sq.ft. (min. $1000)

Resurface existing asphalt driveway

$2.50 - $4.00 per sq.ft.

Install interlocking brick driveway

$6.00 - $8.00 per sq.ft.

Rebuild exterior basement stairwell

$3500.00 - $5000.00

Build detached garage (single)

$8000.00 and up

Build detached garage (double)

$12000.00 and up

Build retaining wall (wood)

$20.00 - $25.00 per sq.ft. (min. $500)

Build retaining wall (concrete)

$30.00 - $40.00 per sq.ft. (min $500)

Painting (trim only)

$1500.00 - $2500.00

Painting (trim and wall surfaces)

$3000.00 and up

Structure

Underpin one corner of house

$3500.00 and up

Underpin or add foundations

$300.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $3000)

Lower basement floor by underpinning and/or bench footings

$150.00 - $300.00 per lin.ft. (min. $5000)

Replace deteriorating sill beam with concrete

$60.00 and up per lin.ft. (min. $500)

Install basement support post with proper foundation

$300.00 - $500.00

Perform chemical treatment for termites

$1700.00 and up

Repair minor crack in poured concrete foundation

$400.00 - $800.00

Electrical

Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (including new panel)

$1000.00 - $1300.00

Upgrade electrical service to 100 amps (if suitably sized panel already exists)

$500.00 - $800.00

Upgrade electrical service to 200 amps

$1800.00 - $2200.00

Install new circuit breaker panel

$500.00 - $800.00

Replace circuit breaker (20 amp or less)

$50.00 - $100.00

Add 120 volt circuit

$150.00 - $300.00

Add 240 volt circuit

$250.00 -$400.00

Add conventional receptacle

$150.00 -$300.00

Replace conventional receptacle with ground fault circuit receptacle

$60.00 -$90.00

Replace conventional receptacle with aluminum compatible type (CO/ALR)(assuming several are required)

$10.00 - $15.00 ea.

Upgrade entire house with aluminum compatible receptacles, connectors, etc.

$500.00 - $1000.00

Rewire electrical outlet with reversed polarity (assuming electrician already there)

$5.00 - $10.00 ea.

Heating

Install mid-efficiency forced-air furnace

$2000.00 - $4000.00

Install high-efficiency forced-air furnace

$3500.00 - $6000.00

Install humidifier

$200.00 - $400.00

Install electronic air filter

$500.00 - $800.00

Install mid-efficiency boiler

$2500.00 - $5000.00

Install high-efficiency boiler 

$5000.00 - $9000.00

Install circulating pump

$400.00 - $600.00

Install chimney liner for gas appliance

$400.00 - $800.00

Install chimney liner for oil appliance

$700.00 - $1800.00

Install programmable thermostat

$200.00 - $300.00

Remove oil tank from basement

$400.00 and up

Replace indoor oil tank

$1200.00 - $2500.00

Remove abandoned underground oil tank

$3000.00 and up

Replace radiator valve

$75.00 - $150.00

Add electric baseboard heater

$250.00 - $400.00

Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (bungalow)

$8000.00 - $10000.00

Convert from hot water heating to forced-air (two storey)

$15000.00 - $20000.00

Clean ductwork

$200.00 and up

Cooling / Heat Pumps

Add central air conditioning on existing forced-air system

$2000.00 - $3000.00

Add heat pump to forced-air system

$4000.00 - $5000.00

Replace heat pump or air conditioning condenser

$1200.00 - $2500.00

Install independent air conditioning system

$8000.00 - $15000.00

Install ductless air conditioning system

$3000.00 and up

Insulation

Insulate open attic to modern standards

$0.50 - $1.25 per sq.ft.

Blow insulation into flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavity

$2.00 - $3.50 per sq.ft.

Improve attic ventilation

$40.00 - $50.00 per vent

Plumbing

Replace galvanized piping with copper (2 storey with one bathroom)

$2000.00 - $3000.00

Replace water line to house

$2000.00 and up

Replace toilet

$400.00 and up

Replace basin, including faucets

$500.00 and up

Replace bathtub, including ceramic tile and faucets

$2500.00 and up

Install whirlpool bath, including faucets

$3000.00 and up

Retile bathtub enclosure

$800.00 - $1200.00

Replace leaking shower stall pan

$1000.00 - $1600.00

Rebuild tile shower stall

$1500.00 - $2500.00

Replace laundry tubs

$250.00 - $500.00

Remodel four-piece bathroom completely

$6000.00 and up

Connect waste plumbing system to municipal sewers

$3000.00 and up

Install submersible pump

$800.00 and up

Install suction or jet pump

$400.00 - $600.00

Install modest basement bathroom

$4000.00 and up

Interior

Add drywall over plaster

$1.50 - $2.50 per sq.ft.

Sand and refinish hardwood floors

$1.50 - $3.00 per sq.ft.

Install replacement windows

$50.00 - $100.00 per sq.ft.

Install storm window

$100.00 - $300.00

Install masonry fireplace (if flue already roughed-in)

$2000.00 and up

Install zero-clearance firelace (including chimney)

$3000.00 and up

Install glass doors on fireplace

$300.00 and up

Install skylight

$1500.00 - $3000.00

Remodel kitchen completely

$10,000.00 and up

Install gas fireplace

$2500.00 and up

© Safe & Sound Professional Inspectors 2007 • www.ssinspectors.com • Any reproduction or commercial use of this document without express written permission is forbidden.