Home Office Renovation Costs
Professional home office remodeling costs an average of $15,000 total or $100 per square foot. Exact prices vary based on the type of renovation you need and the size of your space. Installing built-in shelves averages around $2,500 while hiring a professional organizer costs about $480.
Office Renovation Costs Per Square Foot
Depending on the type of remodeling, you can expect to pay $50 to $200 per square foot for your home office renovation. The lower end of that range may include some simple computer rewiring. At the higher end, you get a full remodel that includes new flooring, hardware, lighting and even soundproofing.
Office Remodel Costs
Total remodeling prices range between $5,000 and $22,000 for most projects. Calculate your project estimate by adding up the office remodeling items you want for your space.
| Feature | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Custom Closet | $1,100-$2,900 |
| Built-in Desk, Bookshelf and/or Cabinets | $1,200-$3,900 |
| Lighting | $150-$800 |
| Flooring | $1,500-$4,400 |
| Hardware and Connectivity | $100-$3,000 |
| Organizing Services | $250-$670 |
| Soundproofing | $1,000-$2,400 |
| Furniture | $100-$3,000 |
| Office Supplies | $200-$800 |
Custom Closet Prices
The average price of a custom closet is between $1,100 and $2,900. You can pay as little as $1,000 for a small, reach-in space, or as much as $6,500 for a custom walk-in closet.
Built-in Desk, Bookshelf, and Cabinets
The price for built-in bookshelves and cabinets ranges between $1,200 and $3,900. It's perfect to increase storage for small spaces. A built-in desk saves floor space while maximizing the working area.
Lighting Prices
Installing lighting fixtures costs between $150 and $800. Quality lighting can reduce the strain on your eyes when your work requires frequent screen time.
Flooring Costs
Your budget for flooring installation should range between $1,500 and $4,400. Per square foot, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3.50 per square foot for carpeting to $22 per square foot for hardwood flooring.
Hardware and Connectivity
The cost for hardware as well as computer and telephone wiring installation can range anywhere between $100 and $3,000. Consider the following components:
New printer and scanner: $50-$400
New computer: $500-$1,500
Telephone system installation costs: $150-$640
Consult with an electrician to ensure that the amperage of your home office can support your hardware. Install wall outlets close to their new places. You might also need to add TV installation costs of $170 to $380 to improve video conferences and presentations.
Organizers and Organizing Services
The price to hire a professional organizer ranges between $250 and $670. It's a great choice if you need help organizing bills, scheduling appointments, and building a strategy to keep your home office clutter-free and productive.
Soundproofing Prices
The budget to soundproof a room ranges between $1,000 and $2,400. Soundproofing helps you stay focused by keeping out noises from the road or your family during important meetings. This is a must if your work relies on recording good sound quality.
Furniture Costs
Expect to pay between $100 and $3,000 for any free-standing piece of office furniture. Your budget may be as low as $80 for a simple corner desk or as high as $3,000 for a custom couch in your reading nook. Prioritize comfort and productivity in choosing the right desk, chair, and other furnishings.
Office Supplies
The average worker spends between $500 and $800 per year on office supplies. An internet-based home office may use less, but you should still plan with about $200 to $400 in supplies on hand. That includes paper, pens, ink for your printer, paper clips and similar supplies for your work.
Custom Home Office Costs
Building a custom home office ranges between $15,000 and $80,000 or $100 to $550 per square foot. That includes the basic remodeling or building costs for the space and any of the above renovations.
How much you pay depends on whether you're building a new home addition, remodeling an unfinished space (like your basement), or turn a finished room like a bedroom into an office.
Building an Addition
The price to build an addition ranges between $21,000 and $68,000. That includes variables like foundation materials, roof framing and the cost of a building permit ($380 to $1,900). You'll need to add any office-specific renovations, like phone wiring and built-in bookshelves, to that budget.
Remodeling Your Basement or Garage
Turning your garage into a home office costs between $5,000 and $15,000. For other unfinished spaces, like your basement, you might need to add the price to install a wall at about $900 to $2,600 to enclose the space.
Commercial Office Renovation Costs
Renovating commercial office space adds a few budget considerations that are irrelevant to most homeowners:
Installing a sign costs between $160-$700.
Adding at least one bathroom per 15 staff members at $10,000-$15,000.
An office kitchen or kitchenette, which ranges between $4,000-$16,000.
A sprinkler system for fire protection, which ranges between $5,000-$10,000 in most offices.
Home Office Cost Tax Breaks
A variety of tax breaks can help you finance your remodel. The home office deduction in the U.S. tax code is limited to spaces that you use exclusively for work. If that's the case, you can take advantage of a number of tax benefits, including:
Direct expenses: Anything you purchase or pay for that directly relates to your home office including furniture, electronics, and any of the remodeling costs not used for personal enjoyment.
Indirect expenses: Expenses applied for the entirety of your house in relation to your office space. If it takes up 15% of your home's square footage, you can deduct 15% of utility bills, insurance, maintenance, and other general expenses.
Interest and property taxes: These are deductible, but only as business expenses rather than itemized deductions. Talk with your tax expert to determine the details of this tax break.
Don't assume you'll just get the same deductions and tax breaks as last year. Instead, keep an itemized list of expenses so you can report your taxes and deductions as accurately as possible.
Home Office Ideas on a Budget
Even on a small budget, you can still have a home office. A nook in your kitchen or a quiet spot in your bedroom may be all you need.
Every remodeling aspect also offers budget-savings opportunities. For example, you can go with carpeting over hardwood flooring or composite over hardwood cabinets. A simple bookshelf can cost as little as $50 or less if you find a used one.
Do your research and avoid overspending. As your business and career grow, you can make the move into a larger and more expensive space.
DIY vs. Hiring Office Remodeling Contractors
Whether you DIY or hire a professional depends on your time, budget and preference. You can either paint a room yourself or hire a painter. You can put together your own flat-pack desk and bookshelf or hire furniture assembly help. Just be sure to leave electric, structural and complex remodels to a licensed professional.
FAQs
What is the average home office size?
The average home office is about 150 square feet. Larger rooms allow for a sitting area and reading nook, while smaller spaces are often little more than a small desk and bookshelf.
How much do home office built-ins cost?
Expect to pay between $1,200 and $3,900 for built-in furniture. For that price, you get professionals who measure the exact space and custom-build your desk, bookshelf, or cabinet to fit perfectly.
What's the average cost of office supplies and furniture?
Most businesses spend an average of $1,800 per employee on office supplies and furniture. For your home, expect that number to drop as you need less paper and other throwaway supplies. Your furniture will also last longer in your personal space so you will replace it less often.
How much does it cost to rent office furniture?
Renting your office furniture ranges between $20 and $100 per piece of furniture per month. A simple desk chair can be as little as $20 per month. A larger hardwood desk can exceed $100. It's a cost-effective short-term solution but will become more expensive than buying furniture if you need it for three months or longer.