How to use the renovation budget calculator
- Replace the example rows with your own items: category, description, quantity and unit cost from your quotes.
- Record what you have already paid against each item.
- Set a contingency percentage and a tax rate if your prices exclude tax.
- Review the total, paid and remaining amounts and the category breakdown.
- Export to CSV to keep a copy or edit in a spreadsheet, and import it back later.
Worked example
Four example items with 10% contingency
Cabinets $8,000, benchtop $3,000, 20 tiles × $50 = $1,000 and 16 electrician hours × $90 = $1,440 give a subtotal of $13,440. 10% contingency adds $1,344 for a total of $14,784. With $2,500 paid, $12,284 remains. The items and prices are examples only.
How it works
Line total = quantity × unit cost. Subtotal = Σ line totals. Contingency = subtotal × contingency %. Tax = (subtotal + contingency) × tax %. Total = subtotal + contingency + tax. Remaining = total − Σ paid. Categories sum their line totals.
Assumptions
- All items, quantities and prices are yours; the starting rows are examples.
- Contingency and tax rates are your own choices. Tax applies to the subtotal plus contingency.
- CSV import expects the columns Category, Description, Quantity, Unit cost, Paid and replaces the current list.
Frequently asked questions
How much contingency should I allow?
It depends on the age of the property, how much is hidden behind walls and how firm your quotes are. Choose a percentage you are comfortable with and revisit it as quotes firm up.
Is my budget saved?
Not automatically. Use Export CSV to keep a copy, or Share to create a link containing your inputs. The link data sits after # and is not sent to our server.
Can I import from a spreadsheet?
Yes. Save your sheet as CSV with the columns Category, Description, Quantity, Unit cost, Paid. The file is read in your browser, never uploaded.
Limitations
- No multi-currency support or schedule of payment dates.
- Share links for very long lists can be long; use CSV export instead.