Whether you’re adding a few new cabinets or doing a complete overhaul of the room to improve its flow and functionality, it is beneficial to spend the time learning about how much it costs to remodel a kitchen.
Here’s what you should know so you can devise a comprehensive plan that will ensure that you get the room you’ve always wanted at an affordable price.
Average costs to remodel a kitchen
The cost of a kitchen remodel project depends on the size of the space and the design decisions you make. As an example, completely renovating your kitchen to the highest standards will cost considerably more than replacing cabinet doors or adding a few new cupboards.
In general, homeowners spend between $12,500 to $33,000 on kitchen renovations, at an average of $21,750, according to HomeAdvisor.com. It could be possible to complete a small job for as little as around $4,000, while lavish projects can run more than $100,000.
Factors that determine pricing
Some of the factors that affect the cost will include how long the project takes, your location, whether you have existing cabinets and walls to tear out and whether you intend to take on any of the work yourself.
Doing your own demolition could save you money, but you will need to be careful to avoid damaging pipes or cutting into your electrical wiring. In many cases, it’s smarter to leave the job to professionals.
Contractor: The cost to hire a general contractor for a kitchen project greatly differs from that of a handyman. Where the handyman will have a small crew and likely complete much of the work himself, the contractor will have a larger crew and other expenses that need to be covered. For a kitchen remodel, you could very well end up paying from $300 to $500 for a day rate just for the contractor plus another $150-$250 per laborer rather than an hourly rate.
Certified kitchen designer: A certified kitchen designer has detailed knowledge of kitchen design and other tricky issues, and can provide you with options you never thought of for your kitchen remodel. The services of a certified kitchen designer can cost from $40 to $75 an hour.
Setting a budget
Everybody wants the highest quality possible but sometimes it simply isn’t possible.
Furthermore, it doesn’t always pay to go for the highest-quality materials since the amount they add to your home’s resale value could be less than the amount you spend on the work.
Materials will account for about 80% of your remodeling budget, so making concessions on which materials you choose is a good way to cut costs. For example, just looking at several different styles of granite countertops could save you a significant amount. You could also choose chrome handles instead of crystal ones.
Breakdown of costs
As you calculate your budget, keep in mind how you intend to allocate the funds, including a reserve in case of emergencies or changes that you make to the plans. Here’s a breakdown of typical kitchen renovation costs by percentage of the total budget, according to the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association:
| Percentage of total budget | |
|---|---|
| Design fees | 4% |
| Installation | 17% |
| Appliances and ventilation | 14% |
| Cabinetry and hardware | 29% |
| Counters | 10% |
| Lights | 5% |
| Floors | 7% |
| Doors and windows | 4% |
| Walls and ceilings | 5% |
| Plumbing | 4% |
| Miscellaneous | 1% |
The benefits of renovating a kitchen
If your family spends a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, dining, interacting with each other or hosting social gatherings, it could be well worth the effort to remodel the kitchen to suit your requirements.
If you’re considering putting your home up for sale, potential buyers may see the benefits of well-appointed kitchen space, and this has the potential to boost your home’s resale value along with shortening its time on the market.
Disadvantages of remodeling
The biggest disadvantage of doing a kitchen remodel is the complexity of the project. Your kitchen serves many purposes. Considering how it should all work together then organizing all of the relevant plumbing, electrical wiring, and cabinetry is challenging.
Conclusion
If you’ve always dreamed of that gorgeous kitchen for preparing meals and hosting dinner parties, a kitchen renovation project might be just what you need to turn that vision into a reality.
Kitchen makeovers are a complex process and it’s usually best to leave the work to professionals. Before you start, decide on exactly what you are looking for and then lock down a budget to prevent costs from spiraling. The pros at Temecula Cabinets will be happy to help you plan the kitchen of your dreams.