Home Remodeling Cost Spokane

If you've searched "home remodeling cost Spokane," you've probably already found the problem: every contractor's website says "call for a free quote" and nothing else. That's not useful when you're trying to figure out whether your kitchen remodel is a $28,000 project or a $70,000 project before you ever pick up the phone. This page is our answer to that problem — an itemized, honest breakdown of what remodeling actually costs in the Spokane market, what drives those numbers up or down, and how our process works from the first walkthrough to final inspection. No teaser pricing, no bait-and-switch estimates that triple once demo starts.

We built this guide specifically around Spokane's housing stock and permitting reality, not a generic national average pulled from a franchise corporate site. A remodel in a 1948 South Hill bungalow with original knob-and-tube wiring is a fundamentally different project than a remodel in a 2005 build in Spokane Valley, and it should be priced differently — not guessed at. If you want the step-by-step mechanics of how a project actually moves from consultation to completion, see our full remodeling process breakdown; this page focuses on the number that matters most: cost.

Cost Per Square Foot: The Spokane Remodeling Price Guide

"Cost per square foot" is the most-asked question and also the most misleading one if it's given without context, because remodeling cost per square foot varies enormously depending on whether you're refreshing finishes or moving walls, plumbing, and structure. Still, it's a useful starting yardstick once you understand what each tier includes. Here's how we break it down for Spokane-area projects:

• Cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, fixtures, no layout changes): roughly $25–$60 per square foot.
• Mid-range remodel (new cabinetry, updated electrical/plumbing runs, some layout changes): roughly $75–$150 per square foot.
• High-end remodel or gut renovation (structural changes, full mechanical replacement, custom finishes): roughly $150–$300+ per square foot.
• New additions and ground-up construction: roughly $180–$350+ per square foot, driven heavily by foundation type, roofline complexity, and finish level.

Kitchens and bathrooms sit at the high end of these ranges per square foot because they concentrate plumbing, electrical, and cabinetry costs into a small footprint — a 120-square-foot kitchen can easily cost more in total than a 400-square-foot bedroom addition. That's why we always give clients a project-type estimate alongside the per-square-foot figure, rather than letting the square footage number alone drive expectations.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Spokane

Kitchens are the single most common remodel we're asked to price, and the range is wide because "kitchen remodel" can mean three very different scopes:

• Refresh — new countertops, backsplash, paint or refinished cabinet fronts, updated hardware and lighting: typically $12,000–$25,000.
• Full remodel, same footprint — new cabinetry, countertops, appliances, flooring, and updated electrical circuits: typically $35,000–$65,000.
• Full remodel with layout changes — moved walls, relocated plumbing/gas lines, expanded footprint, custom cabinetry: typically $65,000–$120,000+.

In Spokane's older neighborhoods, the layout-change tier comes up constantly, because many pre-1960s kitchens were built small and closed-off from the rest of the house, and homeowners want the open-concept layout that's standard in newer construction. That means budget for load-bearing wall removal (engineering review and a header beam), and potentially relocating a gas line or a 100-amp panel that's already maxed out. We cover the full scope, line by line, on our dedicated kitchen remodeling page, including cabinet-grade options and appliance allowances.

Bathroom Remodeling Costs in Spokane

Bathrooms break down similarly by scope:

• Cosmetic update — new vanity, toilet, fixtures, paint, same layout: typically $8,000–$16,000.
• Full remodel — new tile shower or tub surround, vanity, flooring, ventilation, lighting: typically $18,000–$35,000.
• Full remodel with plumbing relocation or layout change — moved drain lines, converted tub-to-shower with new plumbing runs, expanded footprint: typically $35,000–$60,000+.

The single biggest cost swing in Spokane bathroom remodels is what's behind the walls. A lot of the region's housing stock still has original galvanized supply lines or cast iron drain lines, and once we open a wall, corroded or undersized pipe often needs replacing regardless of what the original scope called for. We build an allowance for this into every itemized bathroom quote rather than treating it as a surprise change order — full detail is on our bathroom remodeling page.

Basement Remodeling Costs

Basement finishing costs run lower per square foot than main-floor remodels because there's usually no roofline or exterior envelope work involved, but the range still depends heavily on moisture control and code compliance:

• Basic finish — framing, drywall, flooring, lighting, no plumbing: typically $25–$45 per square foot.
• Finish with a bathroom or wet bar — adds rough plumbing, venting, and often a sewage ejector pump if the basement sits below the main sewer line: typically $45–$75 per square foot.
• Full living space conversion (egress windows for a legal bedroom, HVAC extension, insulation upgrade): typically $60–$100+ per square foot.

Egress windows are the item most homeowners underestimate. If you want a basement bedroom to count as a legal bedroom, code requires an egress window well of a specific size, and cutting that opening into an older poured or block foundation is a structural job, not a weekend project — budget $4,500–$9,000 per egress window installed, including the window well and drainage.

Home Additions

Additions price closer to new construction than to interior remodeling because they involve foundation work, roof tie-in, and full exterior envelope: siding, roofing, windows, and insulation matched to the existing structure. Expect $200–$350 per square foot for a single-story addition with a full foundation, and toward the higher end if the addition requires a matching roofline tie-in on an older, non-standard roof pitch — common on Spokane's older Craftsman and bungalow-style homes. Second-story additions cost less per square foot for the new floor itself but usually require structural reinforcement of the existing first floor and foundation, which adds a separate engineering and construction line item.

Custom Home Building

Ground-up custom home construction in the Spokane market typically runs $200–$325 per square foot for a mid-to-high-end finish level, before lot costs, site work, well/septic (for properties outside municipal water and sewer service), and permitting fees. Site work is the line item that varies most: a level, utility-ready lot costs far less to build on than a sloped lot requiring retaining walls, extensive excavation, or a engineered foundation system. We walk every custom build client through a full pre-construction budget — lot and site costs, foundation type, structural shell, mechanical systems, and finish allowances — before a single design line is finalized, so the number you agree to is the number you pay.

Decks

Deck costs scale with material choice more than almost any other project type:

• Pressure-treated lumber deck: typically $30–$45 per square foot installed.
• Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, or similar): typically $45–$70 per square foot installed.
• Elevated or multi-level decks requiring engineered footings and guardrail systems: add 20–40% over a comparable ground-level deck.

Snow load matters here in a way it doesn't in milder climates — deck framing and footing depth need to account for regional snow load requirements, which affects footing size and post spacing regardless of decking material chosen.

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)

ADUs — detached backyard cottages, garage conversions, or attached basement/upstairs units — have become one of our most-requested project types as homeowners look for rental income or multigenerational living space. Costs vary by type:

• Garage or basement conversion ADU: typically $110–$180 per square foot, since existing structure and roofline are reused.
• Detached new-construction ADU: typically $220–$320 per square foot, since it requires its own foundation, roof, and full utility connections.

ADU projects are also the category most affected by jurisdiction — see the permitting section below, because ADU zoning rules, size caps, and parking requirements differ meaningfully depending on whether the lot sits inside Spokane city limits, in Spokane Valley, or in unincorporated Spokane County.

Garage Construction

Detached garage construction typically runs $65–$120 per square foot depending on whether it's a basic single-bay structure or a finished, insulated, heated multi-bay garage with electrical for a workshop. Attached garages cost less per square foot for the structure itself but require tie-in to the existing roofline and foundation, which is its own engineering consideration on older homes.

Commercial Remodeling

Commercial tenant improvements and remodels price differently than residential work because they're driven by occupancy classification and accessibility code compliance rather than square footage alone. A straightforward office or retail buildout typically runs $60–$120 per square foot, while spaces requiring upgraded fire suppression, ADA restroom retrofits, or commercial kitchen equipment can run $150–$250+ per square foot. We scope commercial projects with a code-compliance review first, since a change of occupancy classification can trigger requirements — accessible parking, restroom counts, fire-rated separations — that aren't obvious from the existing build-out alone.

What Actually Drives Your Price

Spokane's Older Housing Stock

A meaningful share of the homes we remodel were built between the 1920s and 1960s, and that era of construction brings recurring cost factors that a generic national cost guide won't flag:

• Knob-and-tube or early cloth-wrapped wiring — often needs full replacement once walls are opened, since it can't legally be extended or spliced into modern circuits in most jurisdictions.
• Galvanized or cast-iron plumbing — prone to internal corrosion that isn't visible from outside the pipe; we budget contingency for this on any project that opens a wall with old supply or drain lines behind it.
• Balloon framing — common in older two-story homes, this construction style affects fire-blocking requirements and can change how a wall opening or addition tie-in is engineered.
• Unpermitted prior work — additions or conversions done decades ago without permits sometimes surface during our scope walkthrough, which can require retroactive permitting before new work can be approved.
• Lath-and-plaster walls — cost more to patch or demo cleanly than modern drywall, and often hide uneven, out-of-square framing that affects cabinet and tile installation.

None of these are reasons to avoid remodeling an older home — they're reasons to work with a contractor who prices them as a known line item instead of a surprise change order mid-project.

Fragmented Permitting Across Spokane's Jurisdictions

This is the factor that catches the most homeowners off guard, and it's specific to this market. Depending on exactly where your property sits, your permit is reviewed by a different authority with different requirements, different fee schedules, and different timelines:

• City of Spokane — its own building department, plan review process, and inspection scheduling.
• Spokane Valley — a separate incorporated city with its own permitting department and review timelines, distinct from the City of Spokane's.
• Unincorporated Spokane County — covers many surrounding areas and is administered by the county, not either city, with its own septic/well review requirements for properties not on municipal utilities.

A project scoped identically on paper can have a different permit timeline and fee depending purely on which of these three authorities has jurisdiction over the parcel — and homeowners are sometimes surprised to learn which one applies to their specific address. We identify the correct jurisdiction and pull permits ourselves as part of every project, and we account for that jurisdiction's typical review timeline in the schedule we give you up front, rather than giving a generic timeline that assumes a single, simplified permitting authority.

Our Process, Start to Finish

Pricing only means something if it holds up once work starts, which is why our estimating process is built to eliminate surprises before they happen. In short:

1. Walkthrough and scope definition — we assess the existing structure, systems, and condition, including the age-related items above, and identify which permitting jurisdiction applies.
2. Itemized written estimate — every line item is broken out: demolition, structural, mechanical (electrical/plumbing/HVAC), materials, labor, and permit fees. No lump-sum "allowance" hiding the real number.
3. Permitting and design finalization — we submit to the correct jurisdiction and finalize material selections in parallel so the schedule isn't waiting on paperwork alone.
4. Construction — phased per the written schedule, with scheduled check-ins so you always know what stage the project is at.
5. Final walkthrough and inspection sign-off — punch list resolved and final jurisdiction inspection passed before the project is considered complete.

We go into far more depth on how each of these stages actually runs — including how we handle change requests mid-project and what documentation you receive at each milestone — on our step-by-step remodeling process page.

Licensing, Insurance & Our Lifetime Labor Warranty

Any contractor you hire in Washington should be able to show you a current state contractor license and active liability insurance before a contract is signed — ask for the license number directly and verify it, don't take a business card's word for it. We stand behind every project with a lifetime labor warranty: if a workmanship issue shows up in labor we performed, we return and fix it, for as long as you own the home. That's separate from manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances, which we also document and hand over at project close so you have both in writing.

Where We Work

We take on remodeling, addition, and new-build projects throughout the Spokane area, including Spokane proper, South Hill, Spokane Valley, Deer Park, Mead, and Nine Mile Falls. Because permitting authority and typical housing age both shift as you move across this service area — South Hill's older housing stock prices differently than newer construction further out — we scope every estimate against the specific jurisdiction and construction era of your address rather than applying a single flat rate across the whole region.

Choosing a Remodeling Contractor in Spokane — What to Ask

Before you sign with anyone, it's worth asking a short list of direct questions:

• "Can I see a fully itemized estimate, not a single lump-sum number?"
• "Which permitting jurisdiction does my property fall under, and who pulls the permit?"
• "What happens if you find corroded plumbing or old wiring once the wall is open — is that a change order or is it already budgeted?"
• "What's covered under your labor warranty, and for how long?"
• "Can you show me your current license number and proof of insurance directly?"
• "What's the realistic timeline, accounting for permit review in my specific jurisdiction?"

A contractor who answers these clearly and in writing, before any deposit changes hands, is giving you the same standard of transparency we hold ourselves to.

Common Budget Mistakes We See

• Budgeting only for finishes, not systems — homeowners often price out cabinets, tile, and fixtures they've seen online without budgeting for the electrical and plumbing work behind the walls that an older home frequently needs.
• Skipping the permit step to save time — unpermitted work can complicate a home sale later and, if caught, can require costly retroactive correction; it's cheaper to permit correctly the first time.
• Choosing the lowest bid without checking scope — the lowest number is often the lowest because it excludes line items a more thorough estimate includes, not because the work is genuinely less expensive.
• No contingency budget — we recommend building in 10–15% contingency on any project that opens existing walls, specifically because of the age-related surprises common in this market.
• Underestimating the addition-to-existing-structure tie-in cost — matching an addition's roofline, siding, and structural connection to an older home is often more complex (and more expensive) than the new square footage itself.

What Past Clients Say

We know testimonials matter when you're choosing who to trust with a major renovation. Rather than paraphrase quotes here, we keep verified client feedback documented and available for review directly — ask us for references from projects similar in scope to yours (kitchen, bathroom, addition, or ADU) and we'll connect you with homeowners who've been through that exact process with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a home remodel cost in Spokane on average?

It depends entirely on scope. A cosmetic refresh can run in the low tens of thousands, while a full kitchen or bathroom remodel with layout changes typically lands between $35,000 and $120,000. Additions and custom builds price closer to $200–$350 per square foot. The fastest way to get a real number is an itemized walkthrough estimate rather than a phone-quote average.

Why do older Spokane homes cost more to remodel than newer ones?

Older homes — common on South Hill and in many established Spokane neighborhoods — often have outdated wiring, galvanized or cast-iron plumbing, and framing styles that require extra engineering consideration once walls are opened. We budget for these known factors up front instead of treating them as surprise change orders.

Do I need different permits depending on where in the Spokane area I live?

Yes. City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, and unincorporated Spokane County each have their own permitting authority, review process, and fee schedule. We determine the correct jurisdiction for your property and handle permit submission as part of every project.

How long does a typical remodel take?

Timelines vary by scope and by which jurisdiction is reviewing your permit. A bathroom remodel might run 3–5 weeks of construction, a full kitchen remodel 6–10 weeks, and an addition or ADU several months, largely dependent on permit review time and material lead times. We give a project-specific schedule as part of every written estimate — see our full process breakdown for how we build that timeline.

What does your lifetime labor warranty actually cover?

It covers workmanship defects in labor we performed — for as long as you own the home, we'll return and correct it. Manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances are separate and are documented and handed over at project completion.

Can you convert my basement or garage into an ADU?

Yes — garage and basement conversion ADUs are one of our most common project types, typically running $110–$180 per square foot since they reuse existing structure. Detached new-construction ADUs run higher, roughly $220–$320 per square foot, since they require a full new foundation and roof. Zoning and size limits for ADUs vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm what's allowed on your specific parcel before finalizing design.

Get an Itemized Estimate

If you've read this far, you already know more about real Spokane remodeling costs than most homeowners do before they call a contractor. The next step is simple: reach out for a walkthrough, and we'll give you a written, itemized estimate — scoped to your property's actual age, systems, and permitting jurisdiction — before any work begins. Start by exploring our full range of remodeling services, or jump straight to the kitchen or bathroom project pages if you already know where you're starting.