Nashville Home Renovation Cost Guide: Kitchens, Bathrooms & More

Wondering how much your Nashville home renovation will cost? The answer depends on a number of factors, including the size and scope of your project, the quality of materials you choose, and the labor rates in your area. However, this 2024 cost guide can give you a good starting point for budgeting for your kitchen, bathroom, or whole-home remodel in Nashville.

Whether you’re fixing up a craftsman cottage or a century-old four square, a Tudor revival, or even a grand Victorian, Sweeten, a free renovation platform that matches homeowners with licensed general contractors and tracks their project, offers this guide detailing costs to remodel in Nashville as a starting point. 

When starting a renovation, your first two tasks are dreaming of what you want and figuring out how much you want to spend. This cost guide will point you in the direction of your answer. To get an accurate figure for your project, you’ll need to consult with a Sweeten contractor for a detailed budget. Here’s a quick overview of budgets for some typical renovation projects:

• Gut renovation: Starting at around $80—$120 psf (per square foot)
  
• Budget kitchen remodel: Starting at $20,000—$30,000
  
• Mid-grade kitchen remodel: Starting at $35,000
  
• High-end kitchen remodel: Starting at $65,000
  
• Budget bathroom remodel: Starting at $12,500—$15,000
  
• Mid-grade bathroom remodel: Starting at $20,000
  
• High-end bathroom remodel and reconfiguration: Starting at $35,000+
  
• Deck composite: $20,000 or $61 psf
  
• Wood deck: $14,000 or $44 psf
  

How much a Nashville remodel costs per square foot

A total gut renovation in Nashville, bringing your home down to the studs and rebuilding it with budget finishes, now typically starts at around $80 to $120 per square foot. This is a significant increase from previous years due to rising material costs, labor shortages, and increased demand for renovations.

When a renovation budget in Nashville reaches $100,000 or more, many property owners might consider building a new construction spec house. This option can often be more cost-effective and offer a more modern, customized living space.

Please note: These are general estimates. The actual cost of your project will depend on several factors, including the size of your home, the complexity of the renovation, the materials used, and local labor rates. For a more accurate estimate, it’s highly recommended to consult with a local contractor.

How much a Nashville kitchen remodel costs per square foot

At Sweeten, we’re experts at all things general contractors — we pre-screen them for our network, carefully select the best ones for your remodeling project, and work closely with hundreds of general contractors every day. So, we’ve tapped our internal expertise to bring you this guide.

How much a Nashville bathroom remodel costs per square foot

For a typical bathroom quote, expect the cost to come in between $12,500—$15,000. The budget focuses on installation and does not include some key materials. This gives renovators the freedom to shop for what they want while having greater autonomy over their project’s budget. This cost range does include a vanity with a basic granite top, toilet, and tub or shower. Homeowners can shop for finishes such as faucets, tiles, and mirrors. For a lower-budget project, stick to tile in the $2 psf range and chrome or brushed nickel faucets.

• Mid-grade bathroom: In the Nashville area, the average cost of a mid-grade bathroom remodel is about $20,000 or $571 psf. This budget is for a 35-square-foot bathroom installing a new porcelain-on-steel bathtub, ceramic tiles, and a recessed medicine cabinet with built-in lighting. A renovation of this level can add more than $11,000 to a home’s value, recouping close to 60 percent of the project’s cost.
  

• High-end bathroom: The average price in this category is around $35,000. For this budget, you could expand your bathroom from 35 square feet to around 100 square feet and can play around with elements like a freestanding soaker tub and a shower with recessed shelves, a frameless glass enclosure, and body spray fixtures. You’re also likely to afford a double sink and double-mirror vanity with custom draws and wall cabinets.
  

Costs for adding outdoor space

Hot summers and somewhat mild winters make Nashville the perfect place to have an outdoor space. You can opt for something simple, like a classic wooden deck, or you can splurge —tiles, full BBQ area, lighting, and a firepit. This will be like adding another room to your home. 

• The average price for a 320-square-foot deck made from composite is $18,500 or $60 psf, according to Remodeling’s Cost Vs Value report. Composite is a mix of wood and plastic, making it more durable to weather and termites than just wood. A project using this material will add about 50 percent of the cost back into your home’s value. If you do go with wood, it will cut your budget down by more than 25 percent to $13,000 or $40 psf. A deck made with wood will add 55 percent of the cost to your home’s value.
  

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Permit costs

In Davidson county, which covers the metro area including Nashville, Twelve South, and Germantown, building permit fees are based on the cost of the project. Your general contractor will likely add an estimated amount in your initial budget before a final amount is calculated by the building department. 

For projects that are $2,000 or less, there is a flat fee of $28.85. For each $1,000 in your budget that is over $2,000, no more than $5.77 will be added to your building permit cost. As your project cost increases, that $5.77 can decrease to as little as $2.31 per $1,000. 

Over in Franklin, smaller renovations will only require a “Simple Permit” and cost $50 per for each category relevant to your project. The categories include building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical. Check out this guide for the details on what the building department considers small. New constructions or additions incur a fee of $.63 per square foot and will likely be subject to a plan review fee, which starts at $50 for a renovation under $100,000. 

Regarding budget, a general contractor will want to see the site for a more accurate assessment of costs. Have your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” list paired with a realistic budget, and you’re on the way to your dream home!

Factors affecting Nashville renovation costs

This subheading could be used to discuss the various factors that can significantly impact the cost of a renovation in Nashville. Some potential topics to cover include:

• Local labor rates: Discuss how labor costs can vary depending on the specific neighborhood or area within Nashville.
• Material costs: Explain how the cost of materials, such as building supplies, appliances, and fixtures, can fluctuate over time and impact the overall project budget.
• Permits and fees: Discuss the various permits and fees that may be required for different types of renovations and how these can add to the project cost.
• Design complexity: Explain how complex or intricate design elements can increase the cost of a renovation due to additional labor and materials required.
• Unexpected issues: Discuss potential unforeseen issues, such as structural problems or hidden damage, that can significantly increase the cost of a renovation project.

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Looking to put your home on the market? These remodeling projects will boost the resale value on your property.

We can help you plan your renovation

Find endless home renovation inspiration, detailed guides, and practical cost breakdowns from our blogs. You can also post your project on Sweeten today and get matched with our vetted general contractors and get estimates for free!