What should a rehab budget include?

Every renovation category (demo, exterior, mechanicals, kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, permits), each with estimated and actual costs, plus a 10–20% contingency. Track holding costs separately so you don't confuse them with rehab spend.

How much contingency should a rehab budget have?

Most experienced flippers add 10–20% of the rehab total as a contingency for surprises found during demolition and price changes. Older homes and deeper rehabs warrant a larger cushion.

Free template

Rehab Budget Template for House Flips (Free)

Estimate, track, and control every dollar — with the contingency beginners forget.

Quick answer

A rehab budget template organizes your renovation costs by category — demo, exterior, mechanicals, kitchen, baths, interior — with columns for estimated cost, actual cost, and variance, plus a 10–20% contingency line. Tracking estimate vs. actual is how you catch overruns early and protect your profit. Use the categories below.

A rehab budget is your scope of work with dollars attached and tracked. Build it with three columns — estimated, actual, and variance — so you always know whether you're on track. Copy the categories below into a spreadsheet and add your line items under each.

Every line item needs

Estimated cost
Actual cost
Variance (actual − estimated)
Status (not started / in progress / done)
Vendor / contractor

Don't forget

Contingency line (10–20% of the rehab total)
Holding costs (tracked separately from rehab)
A running total vs. your max rehab budget

How to use it

Fill the estimated column from contractor bids and your scope of work.
Update the actual column as invoices come in to see variance in real time.
Watch the contingency — if you're dipping into it early, reforecast the whole budget.
Compare the running total to the max rehab number your deal analysis allows.

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Frequently asked questions

What should a rehab budget include?: Every renovation category (demo, exterior, mechanicals, kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, permits), each with estimated and actual costs, plus a 10–20% contingency. Track holding costs separately so you don't confuse them with rehab spend.
How much contingency should a rehab budget have?: Most experienced flippers add 10–20% of the rehab total as a contingency for surprises found during demolition and price changes. Older homes and deeper rehabs warrant a larger cushion.