Plan a remodeling budget with the interactive remodel contingency calculator: enter your figures to see the reserve and remaining budget. For paint, flooring and tile quantities, use the written guides below with your measurements, product coverage and a calculator. Each option is labeled so you know what to expect before opening it. For ongoing equipment costs, use the crawl-space dehumidifier electricity-cost worksheet — a written guide using your wattage or measured kWh, runtime, billing days, and electricity rate.
Choose a tool or worksheet for your next decision
| Your decision | Start here | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| How much flooring should I order? | Flooring box calculator — written guide | Measured area, installer-approved allowance, coverage per carton |
| How much room is left in my budget? | Remodel contingency calculator — interactive tool | Priced scope, total funding limit, reserve basis |
| How much tile do the walls and floor need? | Tile quantity worksheet — written guide | Separate wall and floor measurements, product coverage |
| Which paint estimate uses the same assumptions? | Paint cost worksheet — written guide | Paintable area, coat count, each product’s labeled coverage |
After calculating, check the items the formula cannot price: preparation, delivery, labor, and disposal. Use the quote comparison guide before choosing an estimate. Keep your inputs and the product or quote date so you can update the worksheet when the scope changes.
Paint quantity
Gallons = paintable area × coats ÷ coverage per gallon. Calculate each product separately and round to available containers. Follow the full paint example.
Flooring order quantity
Cartons = round up [measured area × (1 + allowance) ÷ coverage per carton]. Choose the allowance with your installer. See the material and labor budget.
Budget with contingency
Base budget = overall ceiling ÷ (1 + reserve rate) when the reserve is a percentage added to base costs. For a $15,000 ceiling and 15% reserve on base work, the base is $13,043.48 and the reserve is $1,956.52. Build your bathroom worksheet.
Guides in this section
Flooring Box Calculator: Area, Allowance, and Rounding
Calculate flooring cartons from measured area, an agreed cutting allowance, and coverage per box. Keep purchase quantity separate from installed area.
Remodel Contingency Calculator: Keep the Reserve Separate
Calculate a remodel reserve from either the base budget or a fixed spending limit. See why 15% added to costs differs from 15% of the total.
Tile Quantity Worksheet: Floors and Walls Separately
Calculate tile orders for floors and walls separately, add an installer-approved allowance, and round each product to full boxes. Keep trim pieces on their own list.
Paint Cost Worksheet: Compare Products With the Same Room
Compare paint costs using the same wall area and coat count. Account for coverage and full can sizes before deciding which shelf price is cheaper.
How Much Paint Do I Need? A Room-by-Room Calculation Guide
Measure the walls, subtract the openings, and allow for a second coat. Follow the calculation for a 12-by-14-foot room.