How Much Does It Cost? A Guide to Some Common and Not So Common Repairs

When showing clients a house that needs repairs or something replaced (95% of houses on the market), I’m often asked, “How much does it cost?”  Here’s a quick list based on my experience.  The actual amount may be more or less based on the circumstances.

Roof  The price for a 1400 sf roof can range from $3,000 – $5,000, depending on whether the roof has to be stripped or not.  The price would be for a typical raised ranch or cape style home using 30-year shingles.

Furnace Around $3,000 – $6,000 installed, depending on the type, model and what has to be removed in order to install it.

Replace Oil Tank If the oil storage tank (275 gallon) needs replacing, estimate about $1,000 to replace it.

Hot Water Heater Around $500 – $750 installed.

Central Air As long as central air is already installed, a new unit will cost around $2500 installed.

Radon Mitigation If higher than recommended levels of radon are found in the home, a radon mitigation system can generally be installed for about $1,000 – $1,500.   The mitigation system essentially takes naturally occuring radon gas and blows it outdoors.

Mold  Assuming the mold is not deadly (like most of the mold found), the cost to clean an area depends on the size and material the mold is found on.  A very common location for mold is the attic, above a bathroom ventilation fan not properly venting to the outside.  An area like this can cost around $250.

Asbestos Removal  I have most often seen asbestos in older homes used as pipe or ductwork insulation in the basement.  It is generally harmless as long as it’s not deteriorating or is going to be disturbed.  Most people choose to leave it alone because the cost to remove it can be high.  I had a client get an estimate of $3500 to remove asbestos from about 50 linear feet of ductwork. 

Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants are fairly common.  A typical treatment can run about $250-$350.

Wood Floor Refinishing Expect to pay about $500-$600 for 500 s.f., as long as there isn’t a significant amount of sanding to remove deep scratches or stains.