Most remodeling journeys begin with one too many repetitions of the same frustration. A kitchen that no longer works the way your life does. A bathroom that feels dated, cramped, or hard to use. A growing sense that your home has good bones but needs thoughtful change to carry it forward. Before floor plans, before selections, and even before first phone calls, there is usually one honest question sitting underneath it all. What does something like this actually cost?
If you are planning a remodel in 2026, that question matters more than ever. Remodeling is a meaningful investment, and the stakes feel high when you are trying to decide whether to move forward, scale back, or wait. Online estimates can be all over the map, and conversations with friends often raise more questions than answers. It is hard to plan with confidence when the numbers feel abstract or disconnected from real homes in your area.
Peacock & Company works with homeowners across South Bend, Michiana, and Harbor Country who are trying to make thoughtful decisions about their homes. We wrote this article because cost clarity should not feel like a guessing game. This article is meant to give you a clearer starting point. Not exact prices, and not sales promises, but realistic ballpark ranges for kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-home remodels in Michiana and Harbor Country. You need enough information to help you see where your project might land, what influences cost the most, and when it makes sense to dig deeper into planning.
A ballpark estimate is meant to answer one question only. Is this project generally within reach, or not? It is not a quote, a commitment, or a promise. It is a broad range based on typical projects, typical scopes, and typical decisions, long before plans are drawn or materials are selected.
In remodeling, especially in older homes common throughout Michiana and Harbor Country, the details matter. Layout changes, structural work, plumbing locations, material quality, and the age of the home all influence cost in meaningful ways. Two kitchens of the same size can vary dramatically in price based on what is behind the walls and what level of finish is chosen.
Think of a ballpark estimate as a starting point for planning, not a finish line. Its value is in helping you decide whether to keep exploring, adjust expectations, or move into a more detailed design and pricing phase.
For many homeowners, there is a middle step between online ballpark ranges and full design. At Peacock & Company, that step begins with an on-site visit. We meet at your home to walk the space, review your goals, and understand the realities of the existing structure. A few weeks later, we present a project-specific cost assessment at no charge. This is still a ballpark range, not a quote, but it is adjusted based on your actual layout, plans, and constraints rather than assumptions.
Remodeling costs in Michiana and Harbor Country continue to reflect strong demand, skilled labor constraints, and a shift toward more complete, well-planned projects. In 2026, most homeowners we speak with are investing not just in finishes, but in layout improvements, system upgrades, and long-term durability. You came for ballpark ranges. Here they are. The ranges below are meant to provide realistic planning guidance, not best-case scenarios.
For professionally planned kitchen remodels in Michiana, most homeowners should expect a ballpark range of $50,000 to $175,000+ in 2026.
Projects toward the lower end of this range typically maintain the existing footprint and focus on cabinetry, countertops, lighting, and appliance upgrades. Costs increase when layouts change, walls are moved, structural work is required, or higher-end cabinetry and finishes are selected. In older homes, electrical and plumbing updates are often a meaningful part of the scope and budget.
Bathroom remodels generally fall into a $27,000 to $75,000+ range, depending on size, complexity, and finish level.
A secondary or hall bath refresh may land toward the lower end, while primary bathrooms and accessibility-focused remodels tend to be more involved. Plumbing changes, waterproofing details, custom tile work, and upgraded ventilation all influence cost. While bathrooms are smaller spaces, they are among the most technically complex rooms to remodel correctly.
Whole-home remodels represent the widest cost range and typically begin around $200,000, with many projects landing between $300,000 and $500,000+.
These projects often include layout reconfiguration, kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring throughout, system upgrades, and structural adjustments. Planning a whole-home remodel is common in houses with strong character or location but outdated functionality. The age and condition of the home play a significant role in both scope and investment.
In South Bend, Michiana, and Harbor Country, many homes are older, and that reality affects cost expectations. Remodeling older and historic homes often involves addressing hidden conditions, previous renovations, and outdated infrastructure. While this does not automatically make projects more expensive, it does increase the importance of thorough planning and realistic budgeting from the start.
These ballpark ranges reflect mid-to-high quality, fully scoped remodels with professional design, durable materials, and complete construction documentation. They do not assume placeholder allowances, partial scopes, or minimal planning. The intent is to help homeowners plan responsibly and decide when it makes sense to move from curiosity into detailed design.
While Michiana and Harbor Country are geographically close, remodeling costs between the two often differ. These differences are driven by market dynamics, logistics, and how homes are used.
Harbor Country neighborhoods includes a high concentration of second homes and vacation properties. These projects are often more comprehensive, with homeowners looking to maximize comfort, durability, and usability during limited time in the home. That often leads to broader scopes of work and higher finish expectations.
Homes in Harbor Country frequently include higher-end material selections and more custom details. Kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces are often designed to feel special and long-lasting, which naturally increases both material and labor investment.
Permitting and review processes vary by municipality in southwest Michigan. While these steps protect homeowners and communities, they can add additional time and coordination on the front end of a project, which must be factored into overall cost planning.
Remodeling costs are shaped less by national averages and more by local conditions. In South Bend, Michiana, and Harbor Country, a few consistent factors have the greatest impact.
Find more detailed local pricing information in our remodeling cost guide here.
Experienced tradespeople who understand complex remodels, older homes, and detailed finish work command higher rates. This level of expertise often results in better outcomes, fewer mistakes, and smoother project execution.
Structural changes, plumbing updates, and electrical work require permits and inspections. These processes ensure safety and compliance but also involve documentation, coordination, and time that affect overall project cost.
Many homes in the region are older, and hidden conditions are common. Outdated wiring, aging plumbing, undersized framing, or previous renovations can add scope once uncovered. Proper planning helps identify and address these conditions early.
Material selection has a direct impact on cost. Custom cabinetry, tile-heavy bathrooms, layout changes, and accessibility features all require additional labor and coordination compared to surface-level updates. The more intentional the design, the more important early alignment becomes.
Projects with incomplete plans or vague scopes are more likely to experience changes during construction. Thorough design and documentation help establish realistic budgets and reduce uncertainty once work begins.
One of the most frustrating parts of early remodeling research is seeing wildly different numbers for what seems like the same project. There are a few consistent reasons this happens.
Not all estimates include the same work. One may account for demolition, structural changes, permit coordination, and proper protection of the home, while another may only reflect surface-level updates. When scope is assumed rather than clearly defined, pricing becomes unreliable.
Some estimates rely heavily on allowances, especially for cabinetry, fixtures, tile, and flooring. While allowances can make an estimate look more affordable upfront, they often do not reflect what homeowners actually choose. This gap is one of the most common causes of budget surprises later.
Estimates created without detailed drawings, specifications, and coordination between trades are inherently less accurate. The less defined the plan, the more guesswork is involved, and the more likely costs will change during construction.
Contractors with limited experience in complex remodels or older homes may unintentionally underprice projects. While this can look appealing early on, it often leads to delays, change orders, or compromised outcomes once work begins.
A ballpark estimate is useful when you are still exploring possibilities. At some point, however, it stops being helpful and starts creating uncertainty instead.
If you are discussing layout changes, specific materials, or timing, it is time to move beyond broad ranges. The more decisions you are making, the more important it becomes to ground them in accurate pricing.
Accurate pricing requires clarity. That clarity comes from design, documentation, and coordination, not rough assumptions. Without those elements, even the best estimate is still a guess.
Delaying detailed planning can increase stress later. As construction approaches, unresolved decisions tend to compress timelines and inflate costs. Early design work allows budgets to be shaped intentionally rather than reactively.
Peacock & Company understands that remodeling is too complex and too personal, to rely on vague estimates or incomplete scopes. That is why our remodeling process is built around design first, then pricing.
Our design-build approach allows us to align layout decisions, material selections, and construction logistics before construction begins. Instead of pricing assumptions, we price real plans. That additional time spent upfront allows us to identify challenges, coordinate trades, and account for the full scope of work before a shovel ever hits the ground.
Once the design phase is complete, we provide a fixed-price proposal that reflects the project as it has been planned. This means homeowners are not navigating constant cost adjustments or change orders caused by missing details. The goal is not just an accurate number, but confidence in that number.
If you are moving beyond ballpark numbers and want clarity around scope, budget, and next steps, our design-build team is here to help. We work with homeowners throughout South Bend, Michiana, and Harbor Country to turn early ideas into well-planned projects with clear, fixed pricing.
Contact Peacock & Company to start the conversation today.