Remodel vs. Move Calculator
Would staying and remodeling or selling and moving cost less, net of transaction costs?
Compare Net Cost →Compare Staying vs. Moving
Results update as you change any input.
Pre-filled from your Home Addition ROI results if you arrived from that page — feel free to adjust.
Estimates are for educational purposes only · Not financial advice
The Formula This Calculator Uses
- Net Cost to Stay = Remodel Cost − Estimated Value Added
- Net Cost to Move = (Move-Up Price + Buying Costs) − (Current Value − Selling Costs)
$650,000 current home, $180,000 remodel with $122,000 value added, $850,000 move-up home (8% selling costs, 3% buying costs):
Net cost to stay = $180,000 − $122,000 = $58,000
Net cost to move = ($850,000 + $25,500) − ($650,000 − $52,000) = $277,500
Staying is cheaper by $219,500 in this example.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this calculator ignore?
It does not account for paying off an existing mortgage on your current home, moving costs, temporary housing, financing costs on a new home, or non-financial factors like schools, commute or attachment to your current home and neighborhood.
Why might remodeling show a lower net cost than moving?
Remodeling avoids selling costs (agent commission, seller closing costs) and buying costs (buyer closing costs) on a new home entirely — only the unrecovered portion of your project cost counts against you. Moving involves both sets of transaction costs.
Why might moving show a lower net cost than remodeling?
If your addition or remodel has a low estimated cost recovery, or if a comparable larger home isn't priced much higher than your current home's value, moving can come out ahead even after transaction costs.
Is this the same as the Home Addition ROI Calculator?
No. That calculator estimates cost recovery for a specific project. This one takes those results and compares them against the net cost of selling your current home and buying a comparable larger one.
Related Tools
Kitchen Remodel ROI
Estimate cost recovery for a kitchen renovation — cosmetic refresh through full remodel.
Calculate Kitchen ROI →Bathroom Remodel ROI
Analyze bathroom improvements — cosmetic refresh through major remodel.
Calculate Bathroom ROI →Deck ROI
Analyze new deck, replacement or expansion projects.
Calculate Deck ROI →Basement ROI
Estimate the value added and cost recovery from finishing or remodeling a basement.
Calculate Basement ROI →Home Addition ROI
Analyze the cost and value impact of adding square footage to your home.
Calculate Addition ROI →Home Improvement ROI
Compare any home improvement project — cost, value added and cost recovery.
Compare Any Project →Evaluating a Specific Property?
This estimate is generic. For a full picture of a specific property, analyze it with Reaixo.
Analyze the Property with Reaixo →Related Reports
Learn More
Helpful Resources
Educational Use Only: Reaixo provides estimates for informational and educational purposes. Reaixo is not an appraiser, contractor, real-estate broker, financial advisor, tax advisor, or investment advisor. Project costs, property-value changes, buyer preferences and cost recovery vary significantly by property, location, project scope, workmanship and market conditions. Obtain project-specific estimates and professional advice before making renovation or financial decisions.