How to get better at estimating renovation costs?

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Hey Folks,

So I have done two renovations and in both cases they have exceeded what I think they should have and it was probably me trying to make them more than they are.  Any advice in containing costs  and maybe estimating costs before buying the property?

1st one was a 1500 sq ft house built in 1999 and all it really needed was paint and flooring and appliances - $1200 for appliances, $1800 for paint (whole house inside), $5000 for flooring (whole house - removed pink carpet ugh!) and $2000 for other stuff (gutter guard, landscaping, etc) So about 10K all in.

2nd one was 1100 sq ft house built in 1934 and it needed lots of work - $1200 appliances, 2800 paint (every surface including ceilings), $5600 new windows (18 windows), $1000 gutters, $2800 refinish floors, $500 for kitchen flooring, $2500 redo kitchen and another 4000 in general crawl space and attic and generic repairs.  So about 21K all in.

I think this is my weakest area since any house I would buy would not be renter ready.  The price offered for a house needs to take into account these anticipated repairs but you don't know how good a deal is until you have already done the reno and have it rented.   My goal has been trying to get at least 1% of the cost of home in rent.

I think my take away so far is that maybe I need to get more estimates but that also slows the project down and the goal is to get it rented quickly.  Any thoughts or wise words?

david