How much does it cost to renovate a whole house in Virginia?

A whole-house renovation does not have a Virginia price you can look up. A light refresh of floors, paint and fixtures and a gut renovation that moves walls and replaces plumbing, wiring and heating can differ by several times, and no Virginia agency publishes dated averages for either. The reliable way to learn your number is to define the scope on paper and collect written bids against it.

What drives the cost

Scope. The biggest lever is how much of the house you open up. Cosmetic work stays on the surface. Structural changes, new layouts and replaced systems add labour, engineering, inspections and materials at every stage.

Structure and systems. Virginia's building code requires a permit before work involving the removal or addition of any wall, partition, or portion thereof, any structural component, a water supply and distribution system, sanitary drainage system, or vent system, or electric wiring.^[4] Each of those items also brings licensed tradesmen and inspections, which is why moving a kitchen or bath costs far more than refinishing one.

Finishes. The state's consumer guide makes the point with a kitchen: if one bid is based on installing prefabricated cabinets in standard sizes while another is based on installing custom-made cabinets, the prices will not be comparable.^[1] Multiply that by every room and finish choice in a whole-house job.

The age of the house. The EPA says approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint, and that anyone paid to disturb painted surfaces in such a home must be certified in lead-safe work practices.^[7] Testing, containment and cleanup are real line items, and surprises behind walls are the usual reason budgets move. Virginia's code also requires an asbestos inspection before some pre-1985 renovations are permitted, but not for single-family dwellings or housing with four or fewer units unless the work is for commercial or public development purposes.^[5]

Permits and fees. These are local and usually small next to the construction, but they are predictable. On the schedule we checked on October 27, 2026, Montgomery County charged alterations, renovations and repairs $0.22 per square foot with a $45 minimum, and separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits at $0.03 per square foot with a $45 minimum each.^[6] The county adds a Virginia State Levy of 2% of each fee and a technology fee of 2% with a $10 minimum,^[6] and it bases fees on Gross Building Area unless the schedule says otherwise.^[6] Your locality will differ, so ask.

Getting numbers you can compare

The Board for Contractors recommends getting at least three written bids on identical plans and specifications, so you can compare both the prices and the contractors.^[1] Give every bidder the same drawings and a written scope that names what stays and what goes.

Treat the bid that is far below the rest with caution. The board warns that a bid substantially lower than the others probably means the contractor made a mistake or left out work the others included.^[1]

When bids come in, line them up on these points:

• which rooms, systems and finishes are included, and which are allowances
• who pulls permits and pays for inspections
• what happens to cost if hidden damage, asbestos or lead is found
• how a change order is priced
• start and finish dates, and the payment schedule

Ask for an allowance schedule for fixtures, tile and appliances, so you can see where a low bid has quietly budgeted cheap materials. A contingency set aside for the unexpected, spent only through a written change order, is common sense on an older house.

What the contract should pin down

The price should be in the contract in a form Virginia recognises. The regulations require a statement of the total cost of the project for a standard total value project; for cost-plus, a statement identifying the type of cost-plus contract, fee or percentage, and a cap that the total dollar amount cannot exceed.^[2] Any modification that changes the cost, materials, work to be performed, or estimated completion date must be in writing and signed by all parties.^[2]

The Board's consumer guide advises that the initial deposit be no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less, or up to 30% of the total contract value for custom-made or special-order items.^[1] The full list of required terms is in what has to be in a home improvement contract in Virginia. For one room, see how much a kitchen remodel costs in Virginia, and for the schedule, how long a whole-house renovation takes.

When to call a licensed pro

Whole-house work needs a licensed contractor. Under Virginia law a Class B contractor handles a single contract or project of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, and a Class A contractor handles $150,000 or more.^[3] The same law requires a master tradesman licence as a condition of licensure for electrical, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors.^[3] Check the licence on DPOR before you sign.

Browse remodeling services or read more remodeling answers. To get itemised bids for your own house, describe the job once and licensed local contractors will quote it.