Every homeowner dreams of walking through their front door and being greeted by a well-designed space. Achieving this desire in an area like the kitchen presents a set of triumphs and obstacles that you won’t likely face in any other room of your house. The triumphs are fantastic− just check out Pinterest and you’ll be drooling over new cabinets or flooring in no time. Yet the primary obstacle, budget, can be enough to make you stick with your laminate countertops.
However, being knowledgeable about the true cost of a kitchen remodel and understanding its benefits, both immediate and long-term, may open your mind to the investment. According to real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, homeowners who remodel their kitchens can expect to see an 80-90 percent return on their investments. Making kitchen remodels by far the best investment you can make in your home.
According to Houzz.com− a leading home design-inspiration site− 32 percent of homeowners surveyed remodeled their kitchen in the past five years, while 45 percent are planning to remodel their kitchen in the next two years. If you side with the latter, here are some figures to keep in mind when deciding how to approach the notorious but worthy task of remodeling your kitchen.
Average Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Budget When flipping through the pages of Elle Décor or House Beautiful, it’s easy to get swept away by the thought of custom cabinetry or a large island being a part of your kitchen remodel. And of course, they can be. The trick is to manage your budget, and to be realistic about what you can afford. In many cases you’ll need to trade one thing− or even several things− for another. Houzz breaks down the three basic types of kitchen remodel budgets along with what is usually included in them. Here’s what you can expect based on the budget you have in mind.
Basic Kitchen Remodel – Up to $30,000
- Maintains the same floor plan
- Simple lighting
- Basic appliances (excludes things like built-ins, wine coolers, etc.)
- Man-made materials as backsplashes, countertops and floors
- Refinished instead of new cabinetry
Moderate Kitchen Remodel – Up to $75,000
- Floor plan redesign
- Professional appliances
- Custom features such as cabinetry and an island
- Designer fixtures
- Natural materials as backsplashes, countertops and floors
Deluxe Kitchen Remodel – Up to and over $100,000
- Floor plan redesign
- High-end finishes such as breadboard ceiling accent, crown molding and new windows
- Top of the line materials as backsplashes, countertops and floors
- Custom-designed cabinetry with built-in features
- Larger appliances
- Furniture style pieces
Where Does Your Money Really Go Once you’ve made the decision to proceed with a remodel, a good thing to do would be to research how your money will be spent. The National Kitchen & Bath Association calculates the individual project costs of a kitchen remodel as outlined in the following chart.
| Expense | Percentage of Budget Allocation |
| Design fees | 4% |
| Installation | 17% |
| Appliances & Ventilation | 14% |
| Cabinetry & Hardware | 29% |
| Countertops | 10% |
| Lighting | 5% |
| Flooring | 7% |
| Doors & Windows | 4% |
| Walls & Ceilings | 5% |
| Faucets & Plumbing | 4% |
| Other | 1% |
Andrew Koutoudis, owner of NJ Kitchens and Baths, breaks down his typical remodel’s budget allocation slightly differently.
| Expense | Percentage of Budget Allocation |
| Construction (Installation/Lighting/Walls/Ceilings/Doors/Windows) | 31% |
| Appliances & Ventilation | 14% |
| Design (Cabinetry/Hardware) | 33% |
| Countertops | 10% |
| Flooring | 7% |
| Faucets & Plumbing | 4% |
| Other | 1% |
Not surprisingly, cabinets and appliances tally up to be the most expensive parts of your kitchen remodel. This may be because often cabinets need to be custom-made, which results in a more tasteful finished product. In fact Houzz.com reports that by a ratio of 2 to 1, homeowners are focusing on making their kitchens stylish and functional rather than solely designing for resale− after all, you want to enjoy the project you pay for.
Remember that as with any estimate, the numbers don’t apply to all cases. Homeowners may choose more expensive appliances, finishes or countertops that can quickly drive up costs.
Tricks of the Trade In order to help you maximize your budget while still getting the most out of your remodel, we’ve listed some factors to keep in mind when designing your new kitchen space.
- First, choose stock cabinetry when possible, as it will make the biggest difference in your budget.
- However, skimping on countertops may prove more costly in the long run. Consider investing in premium quality materials that will look beautiful and give you a great ROI come resale time.
- Next, relocating gas and plumbing lines can also be a major cost, therefore if it’s possible to keep the existing layout of your kitchen, consider doing so.
- Finally, be sure to plan your lighting scheme ahead of time so that any upgrading can happen while your electrical work is being completed.
Best of luck to all of you considering or undergoing a kitchen remodel!
