Apartment Renovation Cost in 2026: $10,000-$60,000 by Unit Size
Quick answer
Apartment renovation cost in 2026 usually runs $10,000-$18,000 for studio refresh, $20,000-$35,000 for 1-bedroom remodel, and $35,000-$60,000+ for 2-bedroom gut renovation. The biggest line items are kitchen (cabinets, counters, appliances), bathroom (tile, vanity, fixtures), flooring throughout (lvp, hardwood, or refinish), paint (full unit, walls and trim). Room size, finish level, and local labour rates decide where you land in the range.
· 2026 US national averages, reviewed against current retail and labour pricing
An apartment renovation costs $10,000 to $60,000 in 2026 depending on unit size and scope. A cosmetic studio refresh starts around $10,000-$18,000, a full 1-bedroom remodel typically lands at $20,000-$35,000, and a gut 2-bedroom renovation with kitchen and bathroom work runs $35,000-$60,000+. Co-op and condo board rules, building access fees, and wet-area plumbing are the swing factors this guide prices line by line.
Studio refresh
$10,000-$18,000
Paint, flooring, lighting, kitchen hardware and counters, and bathroom cosmetic updates.
1-bedroom remodel
$20,000-$35,000
New kitchen cabinets and appliances, bathroom refresh, flooring throughout, paint, and lighting.
2-bedroom gut renovation
$35,000-$60,000+
Full kitchen and bathroom gut, new flooring, electrical updates, doors, closets, and professional labour.
Apartment cost breakdown
Average US costs for each major component
2026 national average: most homeowners spend around $20,000-$35,000 for a 1-bedroom remodel. Region, finish level, and scope are the biggest swing factors.
| Item | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen (cabinets, counters, appliances) | $8,000 | $30,000 |
| Bathroom (tile, vanity, fixtures) | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Flooring throughout (LVP, hardwood, or refinish) | $2,500 | $12,000 |
| Paint (full unit, walls and trim) | $1,200 | $5,000 |
| Electrical updates and lighting | $800 | $6,000 |
| Doors, closets, and built-in storage | $800 | $6,000 |
| Permits, board fees, and insurance riders | $500 | $4,000 |
| Demolition, debris removal, and protection | $1,000 | $5,000 |
Costs in USD. Local labour rates, room condition, delivery fees, and custom work can change totals.
Want a number for your exact room? Our free 2026 cost calculator adjusts these ranges for your size, finish level, and location.
Estimate my costHow to budget a apartment renovation
Four steps from a rough idea to a number you can defend.
- 1
Set your budget tier
Decide between studio refresh, 1-bedroom remodel, 2-bedroom gut renovation - each maps to a price band in the breakdown table.
- 2
Price the line items
Add up the itemized costs (kitchen (cabinets, counters, appliances), bathroom (tile, vanity, fixtures), flooring throughout (lvp, hardwood, or refinish) and more) for your tier.
- 3
Adjust for your room and city
Use the free cost calculator to apply your room size, finish level, and local labour rates to the national ranges.
- 4
Visualize before you buy
Render the room in your chosen style with AI to avoid costly mid-project change orders.
Budget tips
Smart ways to get the most value from your apartment renovation budget
Get your building’s alteration agreement before pricing anything: board-required licensed trades, insurance minimums, and working-hour limits can add 10-20% to quotes
Keep kitchens and bathrooms in their existing footprint: moving plumbing stacks in an apartment is the fastest way to double a renovation budget
Refinishing existing hardwood costs $3-$5 per square foot versus $8-$15 for new flooring, and most pre-war apartment floors can be refinished twice
Use AI visualization to test layouts, paint colours, and kitchen finishes on photos of your actual unit before ordering materials with long lead times
Schedule wet-area work back to back: one mobilization for the kitchen and bathroom plumber saves $1,000-$3,000 versus separate phases
Factors affecting cost
Unit size and bedroom count: each additional room adds flooring, paint, electrical, and door costs roughly linearly
Co-op and condo board requirements: licensed and insured trades, filed alteration agreements, and elevator/access fees raise labour costs versus a rental or house
Wet-area scope: keeping kitchen and bathroom plumbing in place versus relocating lines is the single biggest cost decision
Building age: pre-war units often hide knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipes, or plaster walls that add prep and compliance costs
City labour market: the same scope can cost 30-50% more in New York or San Francisco than in a mid-size metro
Save money with AI visualization
The biggest renovation budget killer is mid-project design changes. Changing your mind about cabinet color after installation costs thousands. Realizing your tile choice does not match the countertop means expensive tear-out. AI visualization with RoomRenovation.AI lets you test every design decision in your actual room before any money is spent. See paint colors, furniture arrangements, material combinations, and complete style themes applied to your space in seconds. This prevents the costly regret purchases and change orders that inflate renovation budgets by 15 to 30%.
Get startedApartment cost questions
How much does it cost to renovate a 2-bedroom apartment in 2026?
A 2-bedroom apartment renovation costs $35,000 to $60,000 or more in 2026 for a full remodel including kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and paint. A cosmetic-only refresh of the same unit can stay in the $15,000-$25,000 range, while a full gut renovation in a high-cost city can exceed $80,000.
What is the most expensive part of an apartment renovation?
The kitchen, at $8,000-$30,000, followed by the bathroom at $5,000-$20,000. Together the wet areas usually absorb 50-65% of an apartment renovation budget because they combine cabinetry, stone, tile, appliances, and licensed plumbing and electrical labour.
Do I need board approval to renovate my apartment?
In most co-ops and many condos, yes. Anything beyond paint and decor typically requires an alteration agreement, proof of contractor insurance, and sometimes an architect’s drawings. Approval can take 4-12 weeks, so submit before you book trades.
Can I renovate an apartment for under $15,000?
Yes, with a cosmetic scope: full paint ($1,200-$3,000), new flooring or refinished hardwood ($2,500-$6,000), lighting ($500-$1,500), kitchen hardware, counters, and appliance swaps ($3,000-$6,000), and a bathroom refresh with a new vanity and fixtures ($1,500-$3,000).
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