What a Renovation Really Costs Before You Sell

Every month I see the same pattern in the Conejo Valley. Fully renovated homes sell promptly at a significant premium, and fixer-uppers sit.

The typical buyer doesn’t have the skills, time or extra money to purchase the worst house in the neighborhood and make it beautiful… but he might be able to buy it once the work is done.

So should you renovate before you sell? Start with what a full renovation actually involves. The investors who buy and renovate homes for a living know this list well.

The real cost list

• $100,000 to $200,000 or more in labor and materials
• 6 to 12 months of managing contractors, which is a full-time job
• Property taxes, insurance and utilities while the work is underway
• Permits and inspections, and the time it takes the city or county to sign off
• Selling expenses, which typically run 6% to 7%

What it means for you

Some sellers come out well ahead by renovating first. Others do better selling as-is to a buyer or investor who prices in the work. The answer depends on the condition of your home, your timeline and how much of that list you’re willing to take on.

Before you spend a dime, let’s compare what renovated homes in your neighborhood are selling for against the ones that need work. Call me…

Originally published in The Trusted Advisor, July 2026.