How to Budget for a Full‑Home Remodel in Covington, LA
If you’ve been dreaming of updating your Covington home—maybe a full‑home refresh that brings every room up to date—you’re probably wondering where to start. Budgeting for a full‑home remodel can feel overwhelming, but with local insight and planning, it doesn’t have to be.
Why planning your remodel budget matters
A quality remodel is more than just updates. It’s about restoring comfort, improving layout, boosting resale value, and making your home feel more like you again. A full remodel usually runs between $15 and $60 per square foot depending on scope, materials and labor.
That range means a 2,000 sq ft Covington home might cost between $30,000 at the low end to $120,000 or more at top‑tier finishes. In the Northshore area labor and materials may track at the mid to high side given local market conditions and regional quality expectations. RS Builders offers clear local estimates so you know what to expect from day one.
More than 50 percent of homeowners face surprise expenses, especially on big remodels. Hidden water damage, outdated wiring, or structural issues can push your real budget up. Common advice is to add at least a 10 to 20 percent cushion to your planned costs.
Step 1 – Define your scope
Decide if you’re doing a complete gut‑and‑remodel, or simply updating finishes like flooring, paint, countertops, and fixtures. Choosing to keep existing plumbing or electrical locations is a smart cost‑saving move. Major rerouting can add significant labor and materials cost. If you just need refreshed cabinets, flooring, lighting, painting, and minor layout tweaks, you’ll stay in the lower cost band.
Step 2 – Use local benchmarks to estimate
RS Builders has guided many Covington homeowners based on typical room breakdowns from their own bathroom cost guide. A basic full‑size bathroom remodel in Covington runs about $10,000–$15,000. A mid‑range upgrade may cost $20,000–$30,000. High‑end bathroom projects can exceed $50,000 with custom fixtures, layout revisions, and luxury finishes.
Kitchen remodels generally range from $10,000 into $50,000 or more depending on features—stone countertops, custom cabinetry, and premium appliances raise costs .
If your plan is to tackle the whole house (say kitchen, two baths, living and hallways) consider adding up estimated costs by room, then multiply by the number of rooms and adjust for shared systems like flooring or HVAC. This gives you a ballpark so you can compare to a contractor quote.
Step 3 – Create a detailed budget breakdown
Break your budget into categories:
- Design & planning
- Demolition & site prep
- Plumbing & electrical (if moved)
- HVAC upgrades
- Framing or structural work
- Flooring, tile & countertops
- Fixtures & cabinetry
- Lighting & finishes
- Paint & trim
- Contingency funds (10–20 %)
This structure helps you see how every dollar is allocated, avoid surprise costs, and track changes if you upgrade finishes or shift priorities mid‑project.
Step 4 – Get multiple local estimates
Always compare at least two or three contractors. That gives perspective on range, helps you assess who communicates clearly, and ensures you avoid low‑ball quotes that lead to change orders later. Home‑remodeling experts recommend gathering several bids and asking about price locking, since material costs may shift if your project starts weeks later.
Ask each contractor to detail their estimate breakdown and flag where surprises could arise. RS Builders offers transparent, line‑by‑line estimates, and manage permits, inspections, and subcontractors so you don’t need to guess final costs.
Step 5 – Build in a buffer for unknowns and upgrades
Even if your home looks well maintained, there’s often unseen damage behind walls or below floors. A safe bet is a minimum 10 percent contingency; serious projects may need 15 to 20 percent or more. Just because the plan budget fits doesn’t mean reality will.
If you find mid‑project you’d like upgraded tile, nicer faucets, or built‑in storage, you’ll stay on track if you already built that buffer. Otherwise you risk deciding mid‑way and adding tens of thousands unexpectedly.
Step 6 – Monitor costs and adjust priorities
Once your project is underway, keep track of actual spend against your original budget. If one area overruns (say custom countertop lead time), adjust elsewhere. Maybe simpler lighting or paint choices help stay within budget. Prioritize functional areas—kitchens and baths have the best return on investment, often anywhere from 50 to 80 percent ROI at resale.
Step 7 – Consider financing and phase planning
A full‑house remodel is often broken into phases to help spread out impact and cost. For example, tackle the kitchen and main bath first, then bedrooms or the patio next year. That gives breathing room, enables budgeting by year, and helps you prioritize.
If financing is needed, look into home equity loans, lines of credit, or personal loans. Clear, reliable cost breakdowns make those applications easier and more transparent.
This kind of estimate is helpful when comparing contractor bids. Local labor and material pricing in the Covington area may push mid‑range housing projects into this zone—especially when you expect long‑lasting finishes and skilled craftsmanship.
Why homeowners in Covington choose RS Builders & Remodeling
- Local knowledge: Serving Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and beyond for over 10 years. They understand regional labor costs and local permit requirements.
- Transparent pricing and timeline: They break down the cost before you sign and walk you through the schedule up front.
- Trusted craftsmanship: Licensed and insured, handling every phase from demo to final inspection.
- Free consultation: No obligation, friendly advice and a chance to walk your home with a local expert.
- Value built in: They offer a military discount and flexible options to manage both budget and finish quality.
What to do next
If you’re planning a whole‑home remodel or even thinking about one, here’s how to move forward:
- Gather your goals—improve flow, update finishes, fix plumbing or HVAC, or simply refresh older spaces.
- Use the steps above to sketch a basic budget estimate.
- Schedule a free consultation with RS Builders. They’ll walk your home, help clarify your vision, and provide a transparent estimate.
- Compare with at least one more local quote.
- Decide how to phase the project or manage it in full, based on your budget and priorities.
- Build in that 10 to 20 percent contingency.
- Stay involved throughout the process. Ask questions, request updates, and keep an eye on real costs.
Budgeting a full‑home remodel in Covington doesn’t need to feel impossible. With local cost data, smart planning, and a trusted builder guiding you, you can tackle your entire home with confidence. You won’t be guessing what goes where or what surprises may appear behind walls.
RS Builders & Remodeling, LLC is based right here in Covington and familiar with every step—design sketching, cost estimation, permits, construction, inspections, even final finishes. Reach out to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (985) 630‑1511.
You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of potential costs and what it takes to bring your home into the next chapter.
