Maryland Whole Home Remodel Pricing

Maryland homeowners weighing a full-house remodel in 2025 should plan on $150 ± $50 per square foot as a realistic “middle-of-the-road” target. Entry-level cosmetic refreshes start around $50 sf, while down-to-studs luxury rebuilds in high-cost counties can top $400 sf. The guide below breaks down those numbers, explains why they swing so widely across the state, and shows how to protect your budget with smart contingency planning and permit strategies. Use it as a road map before you call in bids—or forward it to your architect so everyone prices from the same playbook.

Whole-Home Remodel Cost Bands for 2025

–$50–$80 sf | Cosmetic spruce-up

-Paint, LVP flooring, fixture swap-outs, no systems moved. 

–$100–$175 sf | Mid-range “standard” remodel

-Kitchen & bath replacements, some drywall removal, HVAC/electrical upgrades. 

–$150–$250 sf | Full gut & code upgrade

-Remove finishes to framing, lead/asbestos abatement, new insulation, open-concept layout. 

–$250–$400 sf+ | Historic-grade or luxury re-configuration

-Custom millwork, steel beams, underpinning basements, imported finishes. 

Why the Range Is So Wide

–County labor markets – DC-metro counties (Montgomery, Howard) routinely post bids 20–35 % higher than Eastern-Shore or Western-MD contractors because of wage pressure and longer commutes. 

–Historic stock & rowhomes – Pre-1950 masonry houses in Baltimore often need structural brick repair and knob-and-tube rewires, instantly pushing projects into the $150 sf+ tier. 

–Material price volatility – Recent lumber, appliance and steel tariffs are still feeding through supplier quotes, adding $7,500–$10,000 to the average whole-house job. 

Hidden Costs to Budget Up-Front

–Permit & soft costs – Plan on 8–12 % of construction for engineering, design fees and municipal permits; Montgomery County’s FY24 schedule alone can add thousands in impact and inspection fees. 

–Contingency cushion – Every pro survey lands in the same zone: hold back 5–10 % of the total budget for unpleasant surprises (rot, bad framing, supply chain delays). 

–Inflation proofing – NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index shows steady cost escalation of 4-5% per year even in a cooling housing cycle; locking in major materials early protects against the next spike. 

County-by-County Snapshot

–Baltimore City – Investor rehab programs peg “bring-to-code” guts at $125–$175 sf; expect higher if you’re preserving historic facades. 

–Montgomery & Howard – Luxury remodels with high-end finishes typically open around $225 sf and climb fast with structural changes. 

–Anne Arundel / Eastern Shore – Lower labor rates keep many whole-home projects in the $100–$160 sf corridor—unless you’re on waterfront, where FEMA and flood-proofing rules kick in. 

Stretching Your Remodeling Dollar

-Start design and pricing simultaneously so square footage, layout, and finishes evolve inside a known budget window. The latest Houzz data shows median kitchen spends jumped 9 % year-over-year when owners waited to price until after design was finished. 

-Spec standard dimensions for windows, doors, and cabinetry where possible; custom sizes add 15–30 % fabrication premium. 

-Bundle scopes—flooring, paint, millwork—into one contract. Contractors usually discount consolidated schedules vs. piecemeal work. 

Permit & Timeline Pro Tips

-File for building, trade, and historic approvals at the 60 % design milestone to beat county backlogs that can stretch to 8–12 weeks in peak season. 

-Build your schedule with a rolling lead-time tracker; NAHB notes that large-project backlogs remain above pre-pandemic norms, so early fixture and appliance orders keep crews moving. 

The 60-Second Budget Formula

1. Square footage × target band (use the chart above).

2. + 10 % contingency for hidden conditions and price creep. 

3. + 8–12 % soft costs (design, engineering, permits). 

Ready to Talk Numbers?

Innovative Building Services’ design-build team can turn this budgeting intel into a line-item proposal tailored to your exact square footage, county codes, and finish level. Book a complimentary discovery call and get a detailed cost model you can take to the bank—literally.