A Guide to Estimated Life Spans & Costs for Homes

KEY TO USING THIS GUIDE

The information contained herein is for information purposes only. It’s not intended to be an exhaustive listing of any/all related issues. It does not apply to one home or all homes. Any/all costs provided are estimates and/or ballpark prices for illustrative purposes only. Always obtain at least three quotations from reputable professional contractors before proceeding with or considering any/all work.

    Estimated Costs (shown in Canadian dollars) are followed by the unit of measurement. The term/symbol "+" indicates that the estimated cost can increase from the amount shown. The estimated costs are "per" unit of measurement. The abbreviations of the unit of measurements mean:

sq ft = square feet

sq yd = square yard

ln ft = linear foot

mth = month

ea = each

   Estimated Life Spans (shown in years) are in brackets. The terms "ind" means indefinite and "main" means maintenance dependent.

    Example - Under the heading Property & Site the drive way asphalt resurface shows an estimated life and estimated cost as follows:

Asphalt resurface (10-20) 2-3 sq ft

This means that the estimated cost of resurfacing the driveway with asphalt is $2.00 to $3.00 per square foot and has an estimated life span of approximately 10 to 20 years.

If you have any difficulties interpreting or using this guide please contact your local Grassroots® representative or call toll free 1-800-774-2538 or email us at lifespans@grassroots.ca

We've categorized the estimated life spans & estimated costs into the following sections:

PROPERTY & SITE (back to section headings)

Driveway

Asphalt resurface (10-20) 2-3 sq. ft.

Asphalt new paving (10-30) 3-4 sq. ft.

Asphalt sealing (1-5) 50 + each

Concrete install new (30- 40) 5-10 sq. ft.

Interlock brick install new (15-30) 5-8 sq. ft.

Landscaping

Retaining wall install new wood 20 + sq. ft.

Retaining wall install new concrete 30 + sq. ft.

Site drainage 200 + sq. ft.

Sod - install new 1-3 sq. ft.

Underground sprinkler install new 1000 + each

Concrete install new slab (25-40) 4-10 sq. ft.

Patio/Deck

Interlocking brick install new 3-7 sq. ft.

Patio stones install new (25-40) 2-5 sq. ft.

Porch floor - replace 3 + sq. ft.

Porch skirt - replace 10 + lin. ft.

Porch railing - replace 8 + lin. ft.

Deck install new cedar/pressure treated 20 + sq. ft.

Deck - install new wood 15 + sq. ft.

Fence

Chain link - install new 8 + lin. ft.

Wood - install new 15 + lin. ft.

Pressure treated - install new 20 + lin. ft.

Cedar - install new 30 + lin. ft.

Walkways

Concrete - install new 4-10 sq. ft.

Interlocking brick - install new 3-7 sq. ft.

Patio stones - install new patio 2-5 sq. ft.

ROOF(back to section headings)

Covering

Asphalt premium (20-30) 3-4 sq. ft.

Asphalt standard (15-20) 2-3 sq. ft.

Asphalt low grade (10-15) 1-2 sq. ft.

Cedar shakes (25-50) 6-8 sq. ft.

Cedar shingles (20-40) 4-7 sq. ft.

Steel shingles (40-60) 4-6 sq. ft.

Aluminum shingles (40-60) 5-6 sq. ft.

Copper shingles (40-60) 10-12 sq. ft.

Roll roofing (5-15) 1-2 sq. ft.

Flashing - parapet wall 20-30 lin. ft.

Flashing - valley 15-30 lin. ft.

Sheathing - install new 3.5-7 sq. ft.

Tar & gravel (10-20) 4-6 sq. ft.

Tile, cement (20-50) 4-5 sq. ft.

Tile, clay (20-50) 4-6 sq. ft.

Tile, slate (25-100) 10-50 sq. ft.

Wood (10-20) 1-2 sq. ft.

Chimneys

Re-brick/rebuild 100-250 lin. ft.

Repoint above roof 20-50 row

Concrete cap 200-500 each

Rain cap & screen 25-100 each

Chimney liner 400 + each

Flashing 200-500 each

Cricket 200-500 each

Eavestroughs & Downspouts

Aluminum (20-30) 3-5 lin. ft.

Galvanized (15-30) 3-5 lin. ft.

Copper (40-80) 15-30 lin. ft.

Clean gutters 75 + each

Downspout extension/diverter 10 + each

Fascia & Soffits

Aluminum (ind) 5-15 lin. ft.

Vinyl (ind) 2-3 lin. ft.

Wood (main) 1-3 lin. ft.

EXTERIOR(back to section headings)

Covering

Aluminum Siding (ind) 2.5-6 sq. ft.

Vinyl Siding (ind) 2.5-4 sq. ft.

Wood Siding - paint (main) 2-4 sq. ft.

Wood Siding - cedar (main) 5-8 sq. ft.

Stucco - cement (main) 4-7 sq. ft.

Stucco - acrylic (main) 7-11 sq. ft.

Flashing - wall 3-5 lin. ft.

Repoint/tuck brick 3-7 sq. ft.

New brick veneer wall 5-10 sq. ft.

New parapet wall 15 + sq. ft.

Replace brick wall 15 + sq. ft.

Stone work 10-30 sq. ft.

Parging - exposed foundation wall 2-4 sq. ft.

Power wash bricks 2-6 sq. ft.

Brick Sealing 1-1.5 sq. ft.

Parging 1-3 sq. ft.

Windows

Awning - install new 400 + each

Sliding - install new 250 + each

Casement - install new 350 + each

Hung - install new 350 + each

Bay/Bow - install new 1500 + each

Basement - install new 200 + each

Storm 100 + each

Skylight - install new 1000 + each

Skylight - reflash 300 + each

Pane - single 5 + sq. ft.

Pane - thermal 20 + sq. ft.

Doors

Storm door (10-25) 200-500 each

Single insulated steel 250-800 each

Double insulated steel 1200 + each

Single insulated fibreglass 900 + each

Single solid wood 600 + each

Door lock set 200 + each

Patio doors in brick wall 2000-4000 each

Patio doors in wood frame wall 2000-6000 each

Patio doors - new (10-25) 700-1500 each

Plumbing

Hose bib - install new 100-300 each

Stairs

Replace porch stairs - wood 200 + each

Replace porch stairs - concrete 300 + each

Replace stair railings 200 + each

Basement walkout

Drain - install new 400 + each

Entrance - install new with stairs 8500 + each

Stairs - install new 2500 + each

OUTBUILDING INTERIORS (back to section headings)

Doors

New garage door - single 400-1500 each

New garage door - double 800-2000 each

One section of wood door panels 300-500 each

Garage door opener (5-15) 200-500 each

(back to section headings)

General

100 amp service - upgrade 600 + each

200 amp service - upgrade 1000 + each

Breaker panel - upgrade main 400 + each

Breaker panel - install auxiliary 100 + each

Circuit install new 120 volt 100-300 each

Circuit install new exterior GFI 100-400 each

Circuit install new 240 volt 100-400 each

Circuit breaker - install new 50 + each

Ground main service 100-500 each

Light switch - install 15 + each

Light fixture - install 100 + each

Receptacle - add ground 100-200 each

Receptacle - GFI 100 + each

Receptacle - change to CO/ALR 15-25 each

Receptacle - kitchen split 100-400 each

Receptacle - fix reverse polarity 15-25 each

Receptacle - add one standard 50-150 each

Rewire - entire house 2500 + each

(back to section headings)

General

Main water line - replace 50 + lin. ft.

Main interior valve - replace 100-300 each

Main drain - connect to sewer 2500 + each

Piping galvanized for copper 1500 + each

Piping galvanized (20-50) n/a

Piping copper (ind) n/a

Piping install new vent 500-5000 each

Pumps well, cistern (5-15) 500 + each

Pumps septic, sewer (5-10) 1000 + each

Pumps sump (5-10) 100-300 each

Septic install new tank (15-25) 5000 + each

Septic install new tile bed (15-25) 12000 + each

Septic pump out & clean tank 150 + each

Sewer line - replace 700 + each

Sewer line - auger/clean 100 + each

Water softener install new (5-15) 1000 + each

Well - drilled 20-40 lin. ft.

UV light and filter - install new 1200 + each

(back to section headings)

General

Air Cleaner - electronic (10-15) 500 + each

Air Conditioner central - add on (10-15) 2000 + each

Air Conditioner central - independent (10-15) 8000 + each

Air conditioner room (10-15) 500 + each

Baseboard heater - electric (10-20) 150 + each

Boiler install new gas (15-25) 2000-4000 each

Boiler install new gas high efficiency (15-25) 4000-8000 each

Boiler remove 1500 + each

Blower - install new (10-20) 300-600 each

Fan motor - install new (10-20) 300-600 each

Circulating Pump (10-25) 400-600 each

Compressor heat pump (10-15) 500 + each

Compressor central air (10-15) 500 + each

Dehumidifier (10-15) 200-500 each

Duct cleaning 200 + each

Expansion tank 200-500 each

Fans, electric room (15) 30+ each

Furnace gas wall (20) 1500 + each

Furnace forced air electric (15-20) 2500 + each

Furnace forced air gas mid-efficiency (15-25) 1500-2500 each

Furnace forced air gas high efficiency (15-25) 2500-4000 each

Furnace forced air oil (15-20) 2500+ each

Heat Pump install new (10-15) 3000 + each

HRV install new 1500 + each

Humidifier install new (5-15) 150-300 each

Portable heaters (5-10) 100 + each

Oil storage tank indoors (30-50) 800 + each

Oil storage tank remove indoors 200 + each

Radiator - install new 300 + each

Radiator - install new valve 100 + each

(back to section headings)

General

Electric install new (10-15) 500 + each

Gas install new (10-15) 500 + each

Rental 6-12 monthly

(back to section headings)

Signs of Water/Moisture

Seal crack epoxy 300-500 each

Seal crack polyurethane 300-500 each

Seal crack & excavate 400-700 each

New weeping tiles - excavate 4000 + each

General

Underpin one corner of house 3000 + each

Add foundation 4000 + each

Add sister joists 100-300 each

Install steel jack post & footing 200-400 each

Replace main beam 1500 + each

Remove bearing wall 1500-2500 each

Remove non-bearing wall 500-1500 each

(back to section headings)

Ceilings/Walls

Rebuild archway 500 + each

Remove plaster & install drywall 2-5 sq. ft.

Install drywall over plaster 2-3 sq. ft.

Install new plaster 3-5 sq. ft.

Install new drywall 2-3 sq. ft.

New stippled/stucco ceiling 1 + sq. ft.

New drop/suspended tile ceiling 2-6 sq. ft.

Wallpaper 2 + sq. ft.

Painting 150 + room

Floors

Wood - refinish 1.5-4 sq. ft.

Wood - install new 5-12 sq. ft.

Wood - install new sub-floor 2 + sq. ft.

Ceramic - install new 10 + sq. ft.

Vinyl tiles - install new 3 + sq. ft.

Vinyl sheeting - install new 6 + sq. ft.

Carpet - install new 15 + sq. yd

Carpet cleaning 40 + room

Molding/Trim

Baseboard, door, window 2-3 lin. ft.

Doors

Install door - interior wall 500 + each

Hollow core door & hardware 150 + each

Solid wood door & hardware 400 + each

French door 600 + each

By-fold closet 75 + each

Louvered by-fold closet 150 + each

Sliding closet 250 + each

Sliding mirror closet 600 + each

KITCHEN/LAUNDRY ROOM (back to section headings)

Appliances

Compactor (10-15) 300 + each

Dishwasher (5-15) 400 + each

Garburator (10-15) 400 + each

Dryer, electric (10-15) 400+ each

Dryer, gas (10-15) 500 + each

Freezers (10-15) 400 + each

Microwave (5-10) 200 + each

Range, electric (10-15) 600 + each

Range, gas (15-20) 700 + each

Refrigerators (10-15) 600 + each

Washers (10-15) 600 + each

Plumbing

Laundry tub pump/float install new 350 + each

Sink install new single (10-25) 300 + each

Sink install double (10-25) 400 + each

Sink install laundry tub (10-25) 200-600 each

Cabinets/Counters

Cabinets- install new 200 + lin. ft.

Counter- install new 20 + lin. ft.

Other

Range fan - install new (5-15) 200-700 each

BATHROOMS (back to section headings)

Plumbing

Bidet install new (25-40) 500 + each

Faucet, replace sink (10-15) 100 + each

Faucet, replace tub/shower (10-15) 300 + each

Toilet, replace seal 100-200 each

Toilet, install new (25-40) 200 + each

Toilet, replace flushing mechanism (5-15) 100-200 each

Tub refinishing 300 + each

Tub install new with ceramic tiles (15-30) 1500 + each

Tub install new whirlpool (10-25) 2500 + each

Tub install new plastic surround (10-15) 300 + each

Tub/shower area replace ceramic tiles 800 + each

Tub/shower area minor re-caulk/re-grout 100 + each

Sink replace vanity style (10-20) 150 + each

Sink replace pedestal style (10-20) 300 + each

Shower stall install new plastic (10-15) 600 + each

Shower install re-tile with ceramic 1200 + each

Solid waste pump - install new 1000-2000 each

Cabinets/Counters

Vanity - replace single basin 300 + each

Vanity - replace double basin 500 + each

Cabinets- install new 150 + lin. ft.

Counter- install new 20 + lin. ft.

Other

Exhaust fan install new (5-15) 200-500 each

STAIRCASE(S) (back to section headings)

General

Standard - finished hardwood 1000 + each

Standard - carpet ready 500 + each

Circular - finished hardwood 1500 + each

Circular - carpet ready 1000 + each

FIREPLACE(S)/CHIMNEY(S) (back to section headings)

General

Masonry - install new 2500 + each

Masonry - replace brick 200-500 each

Natural gas - install new 2000 + each

Glass doors 200 + each

Chimney cleaning 100 + each

Wood stove 1200 + each

Insert - metal box 600 + each

Damper 200 + each

ATTIC (back to section headings)

General

Collar tie (bracing) - install new 250 + each

Roof vents - install new 50-250 each

INSULATION (back to section headings)

General

Batts - install new in basement 1-3 sq. ft.

Loose fill -- install new in attic 0.5-1.5 sq. ft.

Loose fill -- install new in wall 2-5 sq. ft.

Foam install new before exterior finish 1-3 sq. ft.

Foam remove UFFI 2000 + each

SAFETY (back to section headings)

General

Alarm system - install new 500 + each

Alarm system - monitoring 20 + month

Door bell (two with chimes) 100 + each

Intercom system 1000 + each

Detectors install 3 electric smoke 350 + each

Detectors install 3 new CO 450 + each

Video surveillance - 3 cameras 3500 + each

TERMITES/OTHER INSECTS (back to section headings)

General

Termite inspection by licensed contractor 200 + each

Termite chemical prevention treatment 1200 + each

DESIGN & LAYOUT (back to section headings)

General

New addition standard quality 50-80 sq. ft.

New addition good quality 80-120 sq. ft.

New addition premium quality 120 + sq. ft.

Carport - detached 4000 + each

Garage detached single wood 8000 + each

Garage detached double wood 12000 + each

Garage detached single block 17000 + each

Garage detached double block 22000 + each

Bathroom/Kitchen renovation 5000 + each

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