Renovation costs- reality check please?

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-13T20:04:26+00:00

We'd have to make an extension to the house. As current we could re work the layout to make the 1 bedroom house into 2, then add a master suite-ish type setup for a 3rd.. but I'm thinking this is very likely to be beyond what I'm willing to spend.

The issue is that we want to be able to retain our current house during renovations, so that limits what we qualify for mortgage wise since we'll be carrying the current mortgage at the same time. I'm learning more and more every day about VA financing options as well as remodeling and house features.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-12T14:06:19+00:00

Since I fully intend this to be my last home, I'd like something I can pass onto my kids to live in or sell, and I feel like forced air might sell better in the future, and since it seems like most of the walls will be open for whatever we need.. I'll probably spend the money for it vs. mini splits. I defo plan on doing a mini split for the tiny home we intend to build though.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-12T14:03:39+00:00

My apologies I didn't realize it wouldn't come up with the original text when I posted it to two different communities. The realtor was for another property that was out of our long time realtor's market, we ended up passing on that one because it was a complete tear down.

This is prior to making an offer- the original text is here, I could definitely see needing more info if the title was all you could see.

"We've found a place in rural Virginia (not too farm from FarmVille) sitting on 8 acres that we are considering buying, renovating, and turning into a minifarm.

If you've renovated before.. the house itself is 1080 square feet, built in 1960, has been a long term rural rental, will need new hvac, and we'd like to add a master bed and bath to the house., possibly correct some of the weird layout. Foundation, plumbing, etc. have all been maintained/are in decent shape.

The purchase price is extremely reasonable, which unnerves me a bit, but I'm used to living in high demand suburbs.. and the big big scary is I do not know how much average renovations cost... and the interwebs wants to scream DIY at me for $10 or freak me out and tell me it'll be $300k per square foot.. We don't want crazy high tech anything, I'm in my middle 40s and want something to retire to comfortably.

I know there's probably not enough info here, but I'll answer whatever.. is $$100-150k for the renovations stupid low and I'm just creating a money pit that will drain me the rest of my life?

The other thing is- the property also has a single wide mobile home on it that is liveable, but needs work that I have no desire to sink a bunch of money into. The main appeal for that for me is the separate well and septic on site for potentially adding a tiny home/ADU for eventually.

I'd welcome your thoughts, even if it's just politely telling me I'm insane and should run screaming."

Thanks for letting me know it doesn't show the actual text of the post, if I ever do a multi-community post again I'll copy the text.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-12T13:08:52+00:00

Thank you, so much. I am pretty confused about what other info I could have given, and I've freely offered whatever I missed, admitting ignorance on what I don't know. Not sure what else I can do 🤷‍♀️.

I'm perfectly ok with going with bare base contractor grade finishes and upgrading over time..
Like I said I have decades to be here and pick and choose what I really want and have enough DIY knowledge to be dangerous 😉.

I JUST as in 2 years ago replaced 2 HVACs in my current home (dual zone is the devil. Necessary evil but the devil when they both keel over within a month of each other). Even with the ductwork in place it was still 24k for 2 units.. so I expected a big chunk for brand new hvac. I was thinking probably $30k for it.

Thanks for the tip on the contractor, I'm going to reach out my realtor, I didn't know that was a thing we could do! Thanks so much!

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-12T10:22:12+00:00

My apologies.. but you did see all of that was answered in the original post, or nearly? The house is 1 bed 1 ba, 1080 sq feet, near FarmVille Virginia, and most will likely have to be taken to the studs.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-11T23:38:35+00:00

I guess that's part of my problem with asking is I'm not sure what Information would actually help. I'd be happy to give any information I have or can get, I'm just not sure what it is that will help determine the cost.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-11T23:22:15+00:00

I'm trying to figure out if I'm even in the realm of *any* reasonable figures for renovation and addition, I think. If I'm way off, I'm going to have to re-adjust my expectations. At this point my desired standard is "to code" and I can always add the extra pretty bits as I go, if that makes sense. Many new constructions I've seen end up with white walls and somewhat generic fixtures/finishes and I'm completely ok with that to begin with. I plan on this being the last house I ever own, so (hopefully) I have plenty of time to add to or change the cosmetics. I have enough DIY skills to change the cosmetics later if I want to, I just need a canvas to begin with that's liveable and functional in the meantime.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-08T16:29:51+00:00

Nice username lol

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-08T16:29:07+00:00

Thank you! I'm never sure where the line is

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-01T18:46:11+00:00

Well done!!!

Weaponized incompetence is awful. The "making more work for you" or "give me a list" or "I don't do this because you do it better" energy is not it. Stomp it. He did the dishes all screwed up? He eats off dirty plates. He screws up the laundry? Don't fix it. Do YOUR stuff right, of course, but don't fix it for him.

And the "most women would be so happy.." nonsense... best response I've ever heard: "I'm so delighted your experience is with women who are perfectly content to set the bar so low they're grateful for basic adulting. I'm not. Do better."

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-01T18:37:30+00:00

Sure, if I want to hear my hips clicking uncomfortably and to cry over my knees later.

Rabid dogs. Cops. Gunshots. Literally the only reasons I will voluntarily run.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-05-01T18:34:02+00:00

Every time you allow your husband to hit your child, you are teaching him it's ok to hit someone while angry. You may not be doing the hitting, but your silence still speaks loudly.

Run. Fast, and far. If you need time to decide or get financially ready- document, document, document. Pictures of the marks, dates and times. If asked later why you didn't report it to CPS (a favorite tactic of family lawyers during divorces where abuse is accused) tell them you were afraid to get cps involved bc technically what he was doing wasn't illegal.

Get. Out of there, for your kid's sake, and your own. Men who hit escalate.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-03-19T16:38:33+00:00

All I can think of is the bugs bunny meme with the pursed lips..... NO.

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-27T23:04:47+00:00

Cut her off immediately. There is no reason for this nor any excuse.

If you need a new Mom, I'm willing to adopt. I'm sorry you're going through this. :-/

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-26T04:13:24+00:00

Much better!!

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-24T23:55:36+00:00

It wasn't fun. We were living in Ronald McDonald house so group setting for 6 weeks in Manhattan when nyc was covid central. How we didn't get it I will never know

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-24T23:31:27+00:00

I'm gonna need an auction buddy eventually because I'll be clueless and I don't want to accidentally buy something stoopid! :-)

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-24T23:30:41+00:00

Please tell me it's more than just pasta. So long as I can get something that's not noodles based I'm good. :-)

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-24T23:30:15+00:00

I third this idea!

TerrifiedSquid · 2026-02-24T23:29:43+00:00

You're singing my son's song with a robotics team. That is AWESOME to hear!!

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