Itemize repairs to build accurate scope
For fix-and-flip investors breaking down repair costs by category to build a defensible scope-of-work budget before making an offer.
Rehab Cost Estimator
Calculator Inputs
Sign in to run calculations
Create a free account to access calculators — no credit card required.
Create Free AccountWhat it does
The Rehab Cost Estimator builds an itemized repair budget by category — foundation, exterior, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, interior finishes — with industry standard labor and material cost ranges for each line item. Input scope of work and local labor rates, then compile a defensible budget before making an offer.
Underestimated rehab costs kill more flips than any other variable. By forcing itemization rather than lump-sum estimates, this calculator ensures construction surprises don't blow your profit. Add contingencies at the category level, so you're prepared for scope creep and hidden defects rather than blindsided by them.
Who it's for
- Fix-and-flip operators building detailed budgets before hard money submission and offers
- General contractors preparing bids for investor clients and validating budget reasonableness
- New flippers learning labor and material costs for common rehab categories in their market
- Property managers estimating major capital expenditure projects and securing board approval
How it works
Walk property and document each system
Roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, foundation, cosmetics.
Assign unit costs
Use local contractor quotes or national averages (e.g., roof $X per sq. ft).
Sum by category
Total out each major system and add soft costs (permits, labor overhead).
Why it matters
Avoid lowball estimates that kill deals mid-rehab
Get contractor buy-in with detailed scope
Justify your MAO with itemized costs
Track actuals vs. budget to improve estimates
Unlock all 67 calculators + AI + reports
Full access to Rehab Cost Estimator, 66 other calculators, live FRED rates, AI deal verdicts, conservative/base/optimistic scenario projections, printable reports, and vault storage.
Investor Starter
No credit card — ever
- 1 calculator per day (Quick Reference)
- 50 glossary definitions per day
- 5 template previews
- Market Insights (read-only)
- Limited investor games (1 game)
- +3 more features
Core Investor
7-day free trial included
- 67 Professional Calculators — Unlimited
- 1/2/5/10-Year Scenario Projections
- Save & Print Reports to Vault
- 210+ Templates & Contracts
- 110+ Phone Scripts
- +7 more features
Pro Investor
7-day free trial included
- Everything in Core Investor
- Full Investor CRM — Included
- AI Deal Analyzer & Listing Analyzer
- AI Underwriting & Property Analysis
- AI Rehab Estimator & Rent Analyzer
- +7 more features
What every calculator includes
67 Calculators
Every investment strategy — rental, flip, BRRRR, mortgage, commercial, wealth building.
Scenario Projections
Conservative, base, and optimistic 1/2/5/10-year return modeling.
AI Deal Verdict
Claude-powered analysis — strengths, risks, and actionable recommendations.
Investor Vault
Save unlimited reports. Revisit, compare, and track every deal you've analyzed.
Print-Ready Reports
Professional PDF reports to share with agents, lenders, and partners.
Address Auto-Fill
Enter a property address to pre-fill value, rent, and tax data automatically.
Live FRED Rates
Mortgage rate fields pre-populate with Federal Reserve interest rate data.
Investment-Grade Math
Every formula audited against professional underwriting standards.
Secure checkout · Cancel anytime · 7-day free trial on Core & Pro
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire an inspector to estimate repairs?
Yes, if budget allows ($300–500). Their detail beats guessing and catches hidden issues.
What contingency should I add?
15–25% on top of estimates. Permits, surprises, labor costs, and timeline drift eat into margin.
How do I know if contractor quotes are fair?
Get 2–3 bids. Outliers are negotiation opportunities or red flags. Average the middle bids.
Should I budget for cosmetics or just major systems?
Budget both. Cosmetics (paint, flooring, countertops) drive the after-repair value. Don't skip them.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes — create a free Investor Starter account to run 1 calculator per day. No credit card required. Upgrade to Core ($49/mo) for unlimited access to all 67 calculators.
How accurate are the results?
Results are only as accurate as your inputs. The formulas use industry-standard real estate investment math. Always verify with a licensed professional before committing capital.
Related calculators
Fix & Flip Profit Calculator
Estimate total flip profit after purchase, rehab, holding, financing, and closing costs.
Open calculatorMaximum Allowable Offer (MAO) Calculator
Work backward from your profit target and ARV to find the highest price you can defensibly offer.
Open calculatorHolding Cost Calculator
Total every cost incurred while you own a property before resale — loan interest, taxes, utilities.
Open calculatorRehab Budget Calculator
Build a room-by-room scope-of-work budget with itemized labor and material cost estimates.
Open calculatorReady to analyze your next deal?
Join thousands of investors using REI Vault Pro. All 67 calculators, scenario projections, AI insights, vault storage, and printable reports — start free, no credit card required.
