The cost of the This Old House Lexington Modern project is not a fixed price available for every homeowner; the final budget depends on its actual scope and specifications. For a comparable major renovation in Lexington, Massachusetts, a planning range is roughly $400,000-$1.2 million, with labor, structural changes, windows, and finish choices driving the total.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major home renovation | $400,000 | $750,000 | $1,200,000 | Illustrative whole-project budget, not a confirmed show cost |
| Renovated floor area | $200 per sq ft | $375 per sq ft | $600 per sq ft | Higher rates reflect extensive structural and finish work |
| Design and engineering | $20,000 | $55,000 | $120,000 | Depends on plans, engineering, and review needs |
| Contingency reserve | $40,000 | $75,000 | $150,000 | About 10%-15% of a comparable project budget |
What a Lexington Modern-scale renovation may cost
For a 2,000-square-foot home receiving a substantial renovation, a useful early allowance is about $400,000-$1.2 million, or roughly $200-$600 per square foot. A middle-scope project may land near $750,000. These are planning estimates for the Lexington, Massachusetts market, not an official budget or final cost attributed to the television project.
Scope matters more than the project name: cosmetic updates cost far less than changing the structure, layout, mechanical systems, and exterior together. A kitchen-and-bath refresh could fall below the whole-home range, while additions, foundation work, or high-end custom fabrication can push a project above it.
Assumptions: approximately 2,000 sq ft of existing space, standard-to-upgraded materials, professional design, and normal site access in the Greater Boston area.
How framing, finishes, and labor shape the quote
A renovation estimate combines trade labor with materials, equipment, and project overhead. The sample allowances below show how costs can distribute across a hypothetical $750,000 mid-scope project; actual bids may allocate costs differently.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $150,000 | $240,000 | $360,000 | Framing, insulation, windows, cabinets, and finishes |
| Labor | $160,000 | $270,000 | $420,000 | Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and finish trades |
| Equipment | $15,000 | $35,000 | $65,000 | Temporary protection, lifts, and specialty tools |
| Permits and inspections | $5,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 | Local fees and required reviews |
| Delivery and disposal | $8,000 | $18,000 | $35,000 | Material transport, dumpsters, and debris hauling |
Greater Boston labor rates often range from $75-$150 per hour for skilled trades, with specialty work potentially higher. If a project uses 2,000-3,500 trade hours, direct labor alone can account for roughly $150,000-$525,000 before contractor overhead and coordination.
Ask for separate labor, material, allowance, and disposal figures so the largest quote differences are visible.
Which square-footage and structural changes raise the price
Area is only a starting point. Renovating 1,500 sq ft at $250-$400 per sq ft suggests $375,000-$600,000, while 2,500 sq ft at the same rate suggests $625,000-$1 million. The larger project may not cost exactly in proportion to its area because kitchens, bathrooms, and mechanical systems have substantial fixed costs.
Structural changes are a major threshold. Removing one non-load-bearing partition may cost hundreds to a few thousand dollars, but opening a 12- to 20-foot load-bearing wall can require engineering, a beam, temporary supports, and finish repairs, adding roughly $10,000-$35,000. Reworking a foundation or correcting extensive water damage can add tens of thousands more.
Window specifications also matter: replacing 15 standard openings may cost about $15,000-$35,000, while custom sizes, historic details, or high-performance units can exceed $50,000. Energy upgrades, specialty exterior cladding, and custom millwork add cost when they require bespoke fabrication or extra installation time.
How Lexington labor and project duration affect bids
Lexington and nearby Boston-area communities generally price above many smaller U.S. markets because of higher wages, subcontractor demand, and permitting complexity. A comparable job in a lower-cost region might be 15%-30% less; a dense urban site with limited parking or difficult material access can be 10%-20% more than a straightforward suburban site.
A major renovation may take 6-12 months of construction after design and permitting, with a general contractor coordinating several trade crews. Delays can create added temporary housing, storage, or financing expenses even when the contract price does not change. Fixed-price and time-and-materials bids handle schedule risk differently, so the agreement should state what triggers extra charges.
Compare bids on the same drawings and finish allowances, not just on the bottom-line total. A quote that excludes electrical upgrades or window installation may appear cheaper but leave significant costs outside the contract.
Where demolition and older-home repairs add unexpected charges
Opening walls in an older house can uncover outdated wiring, damaged framing, plumbing leaks, or insulation gaps. A reasonable contingency is 10%-15% of the construction budget, or $40,000-$150,000 across the estimate ranges above. Projects with known foundation, moisture, or hazardous-material concerns may need a larger reserve.
Demolition and disposal commonly add $8,000-$35,000 for a substantial renovation, depending on volume, access, and what must be removed. Testing or abatement for lead or asbestos is separate and may add several thousand dollars or substantially more if extensive removal is required. Ask the contractor to explain unit rates for concealed conditions before work begins.
Documented exclusions and written change orders help distinguish genuine discoveries from scope that was simply omitted.
Three comparable Lexington renovation budgets by scope
| Scenario | Size and work | Labor and unit basis | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focused update | 1,200 sq ft; kitchen, one bath, selected finishes | 700-1,000 hours; $250-$350 per sq ft | $300,000-$420,000 |
| Whole-home renovation | 2,000 sq ft; systems, windows, kitchen, and baths | 2,000-3,000 hours; $325-$475 per sq ft | $650,000-$950,000 |
| Extensive modernization | 2,400 sq ft; structural rework and premium finishes | 3,000-4,500 hours; $450-$650 per sq ft | $1,080,000-$1,560,000 |
These examples are budget comparisons, not verified costs for a specific This Old House episode. They exclude unusual land or major site work and assume professional construction in the Lexington area. Local contractor bids and project plans are needed for a dependable figure.
Which finish upgrades are worth pricing separately
Cabinetry, counters, flooring, and windows can shift a renovation by tens of thousands of dollars. Stock or semi-custom cabinets may cost roughly $150-$500 per linear foot installed, while fully custom work can reach $800 or more per linear foot. Countertops often range from $50-$150 per sq ft installed, depending on material and fabrication.
Get separate allowances for finish categories, including the quantities and quality level covered. A low cabinet allowance can make an initial estimate misleading if the selected design requires custom sizes or specialty hardware.
Price visible upgrades individually before treating them as part of a single fixed “modern” package.
How to trim a Lexington project without cutting essential work
Keeping the existing footprint, plumbing locations, and serviceable framing can reduce labor and permit complexity. Repairing sound floors or cabinets may cost less than replacement, while choosing standard window sizes and readily available finishes avoids custom fabrication charges. Final selections made before ordering also reduce change orders and rush shipping.
Request at least three itemized bids based on one consistent scope, then check insurance, exclusions, allowances, schedule, and payment terms. If bids differ sharply, ask whether each includes demolition, disposal, permits, protection, and finish installation. Do not remove safety, structural, or code-required work simply to meet a budget.
The most controllable savings usually come from limiting scope and custom work, not from choosing the lowest unverified bid.