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Rental Renovation Costs in Columbus, GA — A 2026 Pricing Guide for Property Owners

Rental Renovation Costs in Columbus, GA — A 2026 Pricing Guide for Property Owners

If you've ever gotten one quote at $5/sqft for LVP installation and another at $15/sqft for the same job in the same neighborhood, you already know the problem with renovation pricing in Columbus, Georgia: there's no public anchor. Owners are flying blind on what fair pricing actually looks like.

This is the published reference. Every cosmetic service we offer through Fifth Principle Properties — luxury vinyl plank, interior and exterior painting, tile, cabinet install, trim, soffit and siding repair, handyman labor — with line-item pricing and the market context behind each number. Rates are firm through December 31, 2026.

For specialty trades we don't perform in-house — HVAC, roofing, plumbing, and electrical — we maintain a vetted network of Columbus tradesmen and will refer you to the right contractor for the scope.

How Much Does It Cost to Install LVP Flooring in Columbus, GA?

LVP installation labor in Columbus runs $2.95 per square foot. That's labor only, on a standard prepared subfloor. Subfloor leveling is priced separately at $2.75/sqft of affected area when needed.

National averages for LVP installation labor range from $2 to $7 per square foot based on 2026 industry data from HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, and CostOnce. Columbus regional rates trend toward the lower end of that range due to lower regional labor costs. Our $2.95/sqft sits in the honest middle — competitive without being suspiciously cheap.

If you want a fully installed price with materials included:

  • Builder-grade LVP installed: $5.45/sqft all-in
  • Mid-range LVP installed: $7.25/sqft all-in (12–20 mil wear layer)

Transition strips, T-molds, and reducers are $49 each.

Real numbers on a typical Columbus rental: A 1,200 sqft single-family home (3-bedroom, 2-bath) running labor-only LVP costs $3,540. The same job at $4.50/sqft from a less honest contractor would run $5,400 — a $1,860 difference on a single floor.

How Much Does Interior Painting Cost in Columbus, GA?

Standard room repaint (walls only) costs $595 per room in Columbus. That's a flip-grade repaint on a typical 12x12 room, one coat over properly prepared walls.

For larger or full-house scopes:

  • Walls only, one coat: $1.95/sqft of floor area
  • Walls + ceiling + trim, two coats: $4.75/sqft of floor area (full repaint, flip-grade)
  • Drywall patch/repair: $165 each
  • Texture matching (knockdown, orange peel): $1.95/sqft

National interior painting rates run $1–$3 per square foot of wall area or $2–$6 per square foot of floor area for full-room scopes. Columbus rates align with the regional median.

Real numbers: A 1,200 sqft house with 8 standard rooms repainted (walls only) costs $4,760. The same house in a full repaint (walls + ceiling + trim, two coats) costs $5,700.

How Much Does Exterior Painting Cost in Columbus, GA?

Exterior painting prices in Columbus vary by substrate. Our published rates:

  • Vinyl siding: $2.45/sqft
  • Wood or Hardie siding: $2.95/sqft
  • Painted brick: $3.25/sqft
  • Pressure wash only: $0.35/sqft

National exterior painting averages run $1.50–$4.00 per square foot depending on substrate and prep complexity. Columbus rates fall within the standard range.

Real numbers: A 1,400 sqft exterior on Hardie siding costs $4,130 in labor. Pressure washing prior to paint is an additional $490.

How Much Does Tile Installation Cost in Columbus, GA?

Tile pricing depends on whether you're doing floor work, wall work, or a full shower surround.

  • Ceramic/porcelain floor tile, labor only: $7.45/sqft
  • Tile floor installed (builder-grade material): $11.95/sqft all-in
  • Wall tile, labor only: $13.45/sqft
  • Subway backsplash, labor only: $12.95/sqft
  • Standard backsplash (~30 sqft, installed): $945 flat
  • Full tile shower surround (60 sqft): $2,895 flat
  • Shower waterproofing (Schluter/RedGard): $845 flat (required for tile showers)
  • Custom mosaic, niche, or bench: $325 each

National tile installation labor averages $7–$14 per square foot for floors and $10–$16 for wall and backsplash work. Columbus rates align with the regional norm. The wall and backsplash premium reflects the more detailed cutting and pattern work required.

Real numbers: A standard kitchen backsplash (~30 sqft) costs $945 installed. A full tile shower surround (60 sqft) costs $2,895 plus the required waterproofing at $845, for $3,740 all-in on labor.

How Much Does Cabinet Installation Cost in Columbus, GA?

Stock cabinet installation (labor only) in Columbus is $75 per linear foot. Cabinet hardware install (knobs and pulls) is $13 each. Old cabinet demolition and removal is $575 flat.

For cabinet refinishing instead of replacement:

  • Brush-and-roll finish: $49/linear foot
  • Sprayed finish: $69/linear foot (premium factory-grade)
  • Bathroom vanity refinish: $395 per vanity

National cabinet installation labor averages $50–$150 per linear foot. Our $75/linear foot sits at the lower end of the honest range for stock cabinets.

Real numbers: A standard kitchen with 20 linear feet of upper and lower cabinets costs $1,500 in labor to install, plus $575 to demo and remove old cabinets if needed. Refinishing existing cabinets via spray instead of replacement runs $1,380 — typically 70–80% less than a full cabinet replacement, with substantially similar visual result.

How Much Does Trim and Baseboard Installation Cost in Columbus, GA?

MDF baseboard installation in Columbus runs $4.95 per linear foot labor only, or $6.95 per linear foot installed and painted. Wood or poplar baseboard runs $9.45 per linear foot installed.

  • Trim/baseboard/door paint: $2.45/linear foot
  • Door + casing painted: $79 each
  • Quarter round installed: $4.95/linear foot

National baseboard installation labor averages $4–$8 per linear foot for MDF and $7–$12 for solid wood. Columbus rates are in line.

Real numbers: A 1,200 sqft single-family rental typically has 140 linear feet of baseboard. At $6.95/linear foot installed and painted, that's $973 for the whole house.

How Much Does Soffit and Exterior Siding Repair Cost in Columbus, GA?

Soffit repair, fascia repair, and exterior siding repair are priced based on scope and substrate. Most repair work falls under our handyman labor rate of $75/hour with a one-hour minimum, with materials billed at owner cost.

For larger siding repaint or replacement projects, the exterior paint rates above apply. For board replacement, board-and-batten work, or specialty woodwork, we scope and quote each job individually based on the affected area.

National exterior carpentry labor averages $60–$120 per hour. Our $75/hour rate is conservative for the Columbus market.

How Much Does Handyman Labor Cost in Columbus, GA?

Handyman labor in Columbus through Fifth Principle Properties runs $75 per hour with a one-hour minimum. For larger scopes:

  • Half-day rate (4 hours): $295 flat
  • Full-day rate (8 hours): $525 flat
  • Trip charge for assessment-only visits: $95 (waived when work proceeds)

National handyman labor rates run $60–$125 per hour depending on market and skill level. Columbus regional rates align with the lower-to-mid range. Booking by the half-day or full-day saves approximately 12–15% versus the hourly rate.

What About HVAC, Roofing, Plumbing, and Electrical?

We don't perform mechanical or specialty trade work in-house. Those scopes require licensed sub-contractors with manufacturer certifications, code compliance, and trade-specific insurance — all of which are outside our cosmetic and handyman wheelhouse.

What we do instead: we maintain a vetted network of Columbus tradesmen for HVAC replacement, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work. When an owner client or prospect needs specialty trade work, we refer them to the right contractor for the scope. No referral fee, no markup, no kickback. Just the contact information for someone we trust to do honest work.

For typical Columbus market pricing on these scopes, plan on:

  • HVAC full system replacement (3-ton): $7,500–$9,500 all-in
  • Roof replacement (asphalt shingle, ~14 squares): $6,500–$9,500 all-in
  • Plumbing main line replacement (cast iron to PVC): $5,500–$8,000 all-in
  • Electrical panel upgrade + selective rewire (200-amp): $4,500–$10,000 all-in

These ranges reflect typical Columbus market quotes as of 2026. We can put you in touch with the tradesmen we use ourselves for any of these scopes.

A Worked Example: Full Cosmetic Refresh on a 1,200 sqft 3/2 Single-Family Rental

A three-bedroom, two-bath single-family rental in Columbus near Fort Benning. Tenant moved out after a four-year occupancy. The owner wants a complete cosmetic refresh before re-leasing — no mechanical work, no structural changes, just a top-to-bottom flip-grade make-ready.

Cosmetic scope and pricing

Line itemCalculationCost
LVP install, labor only (whole house)1,200 sqft × $2.95$3,540
Standard room repaint (8 rooms)8 × $595$4,760
MDF baseboard installed and painted140 linear feet × $6.95$973
Subfloor leveling200 sqft × $2.75$550
Kitchen cabinet install (stock)20 linear feet × $75$1,500
Old cabinet demo and removal1 × $575$575
Countertop install (labor only)20 linear feet × $45$900
Kitchen backsplash (standard, installed)30 sqft flat$945
Bathroom floor tile, labor only (2 baths)100 sqft × $7.45$745
Smoke/CO detectors (GA code)4 × $85$340
Door hardware (rekey existing locks)4 cylinders × $45$180
Handyman / punch list10 hours × $75$750
Cosmetic labor subtotal
$15,758

Total project math


Amount
Cosmetic labor subtotal$15,758
Project management oversight (10% on projects over $2,500)$1,576
Owner all-in for FPP labor + oversight$17,334

Add owner-supplied materials at approximately $7,000–$10,000 for a flip-grade refresh (LVP planks, paint, cabinets, countertop slabs, tile, fixtures), and the fully-loaded budget for this scope lands between $24,000 and $27,000 all-in.

The Complete 2026 Published Rate Card

Below is the full rate card in one consolidated table. Rates are firm through December 31, 2026.

CategoryServiceUnitPrice
Demo & PrepSelective interior demoper sqft$3.50

Bathroom strip-out (full)per bath$1,450

Kitchen strip-out (full)per kitchen$1,750

Carpet/vinyl tear-outper sqft$1.25

Tile/hardwood tear-outper sqft$4.50

Junk/debris haul-away (small load)flat$395
Interior PaintWalls only, one coatper sqft floor$1.95

Walls + ceiling + trim, two coatsper sqft floor$4.75

Standard room repaint (walls only)per room$595

Drywall patch/repaireach$165
Cabinet RefinishingBrush-and-roll finishper linear ft$49

Sprayed finishper linear ft$69

Bathroom vanity refinishper vanity$395
Trim & Door PaintTrim/baseboard/door paintper linear ft$2.45

Door + casing paintedeach$79
Exterior PaintVinyl sidingper sqft$2.45

Wood/Hardie sidingper sqft$2.95

Painted brickper sqft$3.25

Pressure wash onlyper sqft$0.35
Flooring — LVPLVP installation, labor onlyper sqft$2.95

LVP installed, builder-grade materialper sqft$5.45

LVP installed, mid-range materialper sqft$7.25

Transition strips/T-moldseach$49
Flooring — TileCeramic/porcelain floor, labor onlyper sqft$7.45

Tile floor installed (builder material)per sqft$11.95
Tile — Walls & ShowerWall tile, labor onlyper sqft$13.45

Subway backsplash, labor onlyper sqft$12.95

Standard backsplash (~30 sqft, installed)flat$945

Full tile shower surround (60 sqft)flat$2,895

Shower waterproofingflat$845
SubfloorPlywood subfloor (3/4")per sqft$4.45

OSB subfloorper sqft$3.45

Joist sister/repairper joist$245

Self-leveling underlaymentper sqft$2.75
Baseboard & TrimMDF baseboard, labor onlyper linear ft$4.95

MDF baseboard installed (with paint)per linear ft$6.95

Wood/poplar baseboard installedper linear ft$9.45
Electrical (Light)Light fixture swapeach$145

Ceiling fan (existing box)each$195

Smoke/CO detector (GA code)each$85

Switch/outlet replacementeach$65

GFCI outleteach$165
Plumbing — FixturesFaucet swapeach$195

Bathroom sink + vanity installeach$295

Kitchen sink installeach$365

Toilet replacementeach$295
CabinetsStock cabinet install, labor onlyper linear ft$75

Cabinet hardware installeach$13

Old cabinet demo/removalflat$575
CountertopsCountertop install, labor onlyper linear ft$45
DoorsInterior door slab replacementeach$265

Interior pre-hung dooreach$445

Exterior door (steel/fiberglass)each$1,695
Locks & HardwareBasic deadbolt installedeach$145

Smart lock installedeach$365

Rekey existing locksper cylinder$45
MiscellaneousCaulking (kitchen/bath)per linear ft$3.25

Pressure washing (full exterior)flat$425

Gutter cleaningflat$275

Appliance installeach$225
General LaborHandyman labor (hourly)per hour$75

Half-day rate (4 hours)flat$295

Full-day rate (8 hours)flat$525

Trip charge (assessment)flat$95

Standard terms

  • Project management fee: 10% added to total project cost on renovation projects over $2,500
  • Materials: Owner-provided is default. FPP procurement available at cost + 15% procurement fee
  • Payment terms: Under $2,500 due on completion. $2,500–$9,999 split 50% mobilization / 50% completion. $10,000+ on structured milestones
  • Warranty: 30-day workmanship warranty on FPP labor. Owner-provided materials carry manufacturer warranty only
  • Trip charge: $95 for assessment visits, waived when work proceeds
  • Change orders: Any unforeseen scope (rot, hidden damage, code issues) priced at the rates above and approved in writing before work continues

What to Do Next

Need a quote on a specific project? Send us the property address and a rough scope. We'll provide a line-item estimate against the rate card above within 48 hours.

Need specialty trade work (HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical)? We don't perform these scopes in-house but we maintain a vetted network of Columbus tradesmen and will refer you to the right contractor at no markup or referral fee.

Considering switching property managers? Request a free portfolio audit at 5pre.com and we'll look at your full management arrangement honestly.

Renovation pricing in Columbus shouldn't be a black box. The rates above are the rates we charge — published, firm, and verifiable against any other quote in the market. If you're staring at a quote right now that's materially above these numbers without a clear scope-based reason, that's the moment to get a second opinion.

📞 706.510.0255 | 📧 leasing@5pre.com | 🌐 5pre.com

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