CostGuideHQ

Home project costs from building permits

Every row below is computed from public permit records, not from other cost websites. Median declared cost, middle-half range and permit count per city and project, 2024–2026. Last compiled 2026-09-09. Download the CSV · Methodology.
ProjectCityMedianp25–p75Permits
aduChicago$100,000$50,000–$180,000135
aduLos Angeles$60,000$25,000–$120,0007,796
aduSeattle$199,634$147,128–$230,3531,265
asphalt shingle roofChicago$16,569$10,861–$25,000751
basement finishingChicago$30,000$15,000–$50,00052
basement finishingNew York City$50,000$27,000–$112,5802,085
bathroom remodelChicago$50,000$25,000–$84,790275
bathroom remodelLos Angeles$10,000$7,000–$23,4253,932
bathroom remodelNew York City$35,000$15,400–$60,0002,878
central air installationLos Angeles$10,900$6,520–$22,000305
deck buildingAustin$25,286$12,925–$53,00048
deck buildingChicago$25,462$15,000–$50,000908
deck buildingLos Angeles$9,336$4,000–$20,1511,138
deck buildingSeattle$20,000$11,626–$39,375413
egress windowSeattle$4,000$2,000–$9,75030
electrical panel upgradeChicago$4,800$3,000–$8,82051
electrical panel upgradeLos Angeles$751$501–$5,00036
ev charger installationChicago$3,652$2,500–$4,466726
fence installationChicago$5,000$2,918–$8,5871,866
fence installationLos Angeles$5,500$3,000–$10,0001,035
fence installationNew York City$5,000$2,000–$5,0003,464
foundation repairAustin$11,079$7,025–$17,442118
foundation repairLos Angeles$3,200$3,000–$5,0003,642
furnace replacementChicago$9,000$5,000–$16,000195
home additionAustin$132,500$40,000–$248,75078
home additionChicago$150,000$80,000–$280,0001,206
home additionLos Angeles$50,000$10,000–$100,0003,822
home additionNew York City$100,000$36,000–$260,5901,772
home additionSeattle$132,000$50,000–$250,0001,203
house demolitionChicago$21,775$17,750–$35,3501,274
house demolitionLos Angeles$5,000$2,000–$8,0002,738
house demolitionNew York City$25,000$10,000–$50,0001,657
inground pool installationAustin$80,000$39,507–$125,00051
inground pool installationLos Angeles$15,000$5,000–$40,0001,500
kitchen remodelChicago$65,000$30,000–$120,000305
kitchen remodelLos Angeles$15,625$9,500–$30,0002,518
kitchen remodelNew York City$40,000$21,094–$60,0002,264
kitchen remodelSeattle$73,500$33,000–$105,81539
whole house repipeChicago$10,499$4,000–$25,0002,055
retaining wallLos Angeles$11,500$4,000–$30,000484
retaining wallSeattle$25,000$15,000–$50,00080
roof replacementChicago$21,808$13,552–$34,2201,576
roof replacementLos Angeles$5,200$3,600–$7,50019,304
roof replacementSeattle$19,877$14,808–$27,621166
skylight installationLos Angeles$5,000$1,000–$10,000112
solar panel installationChicago$18,680$11,965–$25,5263,635
solar panel installationLos Angeles$5,000$501–$23,50054
solar panel installationNew York City$38,950$27,517–$52,86015,906
vinyl sidingChicago$22,000$8,295–$48,25095
vinyl sidingLos Angeles$8,763$3,916–$19,575590
water heater replacementChicago$2,000$1,225–$2,500106
water heater replacementLos Angeles$1,000$501–$2,37634
whole house generatorChicago$10,278$2,000–$20,000100
window replacementAustin$11,000$6,310–$21,83080
window replacementChicago$12,000$5,000–$25,840797
window replacementLos Angeles$4,000$1,250–$14,0005,108
window replacementSeattle$11,989$7,953–$20,517202

How to read these numbers

Applicants declare a project value when they file a building permit. Cities use it to set the permit fee, so it is usually below the contractor's final invoice and never includes work done without a permit. Treat each median as a floor for that city and compare it with the sourced national range on the project's guide.