This post is part of a 3 part “cost of project” series. For a breakdown of bathroom costs, click here.
As you think through what you want your kitchen remodel to look like, ask yourself, “How do I want this space to feel?” Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, the answer to that question will help you move forward in creating a new kitchen design.
Before we begin, it is important to note that there is a wide range in cost for a kitchen remodel. Similar to what we covered in our bathroom remodel post, answering the question, “How much will my kitchen remodel cost?” is similar to answering the question “How much will an 1800 square foot home cost?” The answer will be based on a large variety of factors, and the cost of your kitchen remodel will depend on your home and unique design.
As you read through the options below, begin thinking through the following questions which will help you determine the scope and size of your vision.
1. What do you dislike about your current kitchen?
2. What is the most important item(s) in your kitchen that needs to be changed?
3. How much are you willing to invest in the project?*
*Homeowners are sometimes hesitant to share specific numbers in early stages, but this helps us tremendously to outline your dream upgrade in a way that is affordable to you. We always work as hard as we can to respect your budget and stay within the scope of your project.
ITEMS TO CONSIDER:
Budget:
Many of the principles for understanding the cost of your kitchen remodel are the same as our bathroom breakdown. For that direct post, click here. Are you dreaming of a full upgrade (this entails an entire gut and rearrangement of the room’s structure) or a simpler update (no structural changes- but fixtures, lighting, cabinet colors, countertops, etc. may change)? The answer to this question will largely determine your project price point. Generally, we are seeing many of the fully upgraded kitchens that we design and build fall into the $70-$100,000 range. This is just a point of reference to help you think about what to budget for. Every project is unique and can fall on either side of that range.
Our biggest piece of advice to homeowners for staying within budget is to find a stopping point for your project.
For example, a homeowner might envision a simple kitchen floor update, which can quickly turn into reflooring the entire first floor, updating fixtures, putting in new countertops, and/or repainting cabinets. While we love to tackle large scale remodeling projects, just know that it does not all have to be done at once if you don’t currently have the budget for it.
This is an example of a after (left) and before (right) of a kitchen remodel we did. Some of the updates include: structural changes with ceilings and walls, new flooring, new cabinets, granite countertops, and new full tile backsplash.
Cabinets and Kitchen Accessories:
Cabinets are usually the most important item to consider because they lay the foundation for the look and feel of your kitchen. There are many factors that go into the cost of cabinets. The type of construction, the wood species, the color and finish, the hardware and drawers, and whether they are stock or custom-sized cabinets, all
have an affect on the price.
In an average size kitchen, the cost of cabinets can range from $9,000 - $30,000 depending on choices made for each of these items. This price range does not, however, include installation, which is also affected by how complicated the layout is and the various trim and/or moldings that will need to be installed.
Accessories for cabinets are also important for you to think about. Would you like features such as rollout shelves or trash bins? Are you looking for tray dividers or cutlery inserts? How about a magic corner or lazy-susan? Other options can include glass doors, cabinet lighting, decorative end-panels, corbels or posts, as well as cabinet knobs and pulls. These important accessories ultimately may add on some extra costs.
Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances:
In addition to cabinets, plumbing fixtures and appliances are features that affect the overall design of your project. The cost variations here are wide.
For example, a basic stainless steel sink and faucet can be found for $350, and if you like the look of a farm sink, they can go for $2,000 or more. If a high end finish, like hammered copper is what fits your aesthetic (and budget) you could spend twice that or more. Options for faucets also vary widely. One-handle, two-handle, touchless, separate sprayer, or pull-down, to name just a few, and most are available in a wide range of finishes.
Your appliance choices will affect both the design and the budget. Choosing a cook-top and a wall oven, versus a traditional stove, or deciding to go with a built-in range hood instead of an over-the-stove microwave, will affect both design and cost. Refrigerators vary in size and can have cabinet panels, or be set into a refrigerator cabinet. It is hard to quantify these without specifics, but choosing a range hood, for example, will likely be double the cost of a traditional microwave over the range. A good designer will guide you through these decisions.
Countertops and Backsplash:
The cost of both your countertops and backsplash will be directly related to the material chosen and quantity, measured in square feet, that your design calls for.
Important areas of consideration, after picking the material, will be corner treatments, overhangs, and edge profiles, as well as the expenses associated with sink and stove cut outs.
As we discuss the range of countertops, keep in mind that there are pros and cons to each type. We provide a brief description below.
Quartz countertops are the most popular because they come with a warranty, are consistent in color, are very durable and do not require sealing. This also makes them a bit more expensive.
The price estimates for quartz countertops range from approximately $140/squarefoot (luxury) to $70/squarefoot ( imports). Some common choices for quartz are Cambria, Silestone, Ceasarstone, and HanStone, to name a few.
Natural stone, usually referred to generically as granite, is a popular contender when it comes to countertop materials. Granite is not as hard as quartz and, being a natural stone product, may require some maintenance.
Granite does, however, win in uniqueness because no two slabs are the same and stock choices will be cheaper than quartz. Natural stone pricing can range from $55/square foot (stock) to $200-$300/square foot (exotics).
If you choose to have a backsplash installed, you can choose the same material as your countertops, or you can choose from a wide range of tile options. The most cost effective will be to simply add a 4” high backsplash of the same material as your countertop. The next step up would be to install a full tile backsplash. A higher end
option is to consider a large-format tile that matches or compliments your countertop material. This can have a very elegant look as it is cut to fit, eliminating grout lines and creating a seamless look.
To compare price ranges, a standard 4” countertop backsplash would be in the $500-$1000 range, a full tile backsplash could be $1500 - $2000, while a large format tile or seamless backsplash is more in the $3000 - $5000 and up range.
Flooring:
Similar to countertops and backsplash, the cost of your flooring will also depend on the material chosen and quantity used.
Many homes have traditionally used wood, tile, or sheet vinyl flooring. These are still being installed, but luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are currently the most popular choice, and they also happen to be the best value.
While the cost of the flooring product is a factor, the labor involved in prep and installation is the main determinant of the final price. LVT and LVP are easier and more versatile to install, so the total cost for installed LVT/LVP is often half of the price of other types of flooring.
The installed price range for LVT/LVP is approximately $9-12/square foot, versus a traditional hardwood floor which starts at approximately $13-15/square foot, and ceramic tile flooring, that is $18-25/square foot installed.
Infrastructure:
Our concluding piece of advice, that can help you achieve a quality kitchen, is to focus on investing well in the infrastructure.
What we mean by infrastructure are those elements of your kitchen design that are difficult or costly to change later. These would be things like the floor plan that may necessitate moving walls, door or window locations.
Electrical, plumbing, and heating elements that would be difficult to do later. On the flip-side, items such as painting, backsplash, flooring, millwork upgrades, adding cabinet accessories, and even switching out appliances can always be easily (relatively) done later. But poor or unplanned infrastructure will necessitate redoing your project in the future, which nobody wants!
Hopefully this information has been helpful in thinking through your kitchen remodel. During our initial consultation, we will cover all of this (and more) in detail - customized to your wants, needs, and desires. Ready to get the process started? Click here to start dreaming with us.