What is the average cost of a kitchen remodel?
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average kitchen remodel costs $23,239 or $150 per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $12,544 and $34,465 or $75 to $250 per square foot. These prices are affected by geographical region, material & labor costs, and scope of work.
What affects the price?
A kitchen remodel varies based on the size of the kitchen (or intended space), the quality of the materials, and if structural changes are necessary. New runs for electrical, plumbing and HVAC also affect the price.
How much should I budget for a kitchen remodel?
As Home Advisor points out, the industry recommendation is to spend between 5% and 15% of your home’s value on a kitchen remodel. A home valued at $300,000 should budget for a kitchen remodel between $15,000 and $45,000. This national data also varies based on the size, scope, and materials of your renovation.
While most homeowners these days are more concerned with planning remodels for lifestyle than for resale values, this guidance keeps you from both under-budgeting and from spending too much. Greatly exceeding the appropriate spending level for your neighborhood can hinder your home’s ability to sell.
A Basic/minor kitchen remodel
(Costs between $10k-$15k and includes things like:)
- Sink and faucet upgrades
- Installing/replacing countertops with inexpensive materials (laminate, vinyl, tile)
- Adding a tile backsplash
- Refacing or refinishing your cabinets
- Installing stock cabinets
- Upgrading appliances
- Painting walls/ceilings
- Some ceiling and under-cabinet lighting
A mid-range kitchen remodel estimate
(Between $15K-$30K and features more upgrades:)
- Countertops with higher-quality materials (stone, wood, metal)
- Semi-custom cabinets
- Building an island
- High-end appliances
- Recessed lighting/rewiring as needed
- Flooring replacement
A high-end kitchen renovation
(Often starts at $30K+ with the greatest options and features:)
- High-end EnergyStar and appliances
- Granite (and comparable) countertops
- Many options for sink and faucet replacement
- Additional lighting
- Structural changes
- Hardwood and premium flooring choices
- Custom built-in features
- Full-custom cabinetry
What is the average cost to replace kitchen cabinets?
According to the national averages at HomeAdvisor, kitchen cabinet installation is between $2,000 and $8,000. New cabinets are available in stock, semi-custom, and full-custom – with varying prices. Cabinet refacing costs on average $4,000-$9,500, while refinishing averages $1,500-$4,000.
Stock
$75-$150 per linear foot.
Also known as builder’s grade, these mass-produced cabinets are cost-effective with quick lead times.
Semi-custom
$100-$1,000 per linear foot.
Has the same sizes as stock with greater options for functional and aesthetic changes. Built to order, can add a month for the delivery timeframe.
Full-custom
$500-$1,000 per linear foot.
The broadest range of options and customization, including handmade specialty pieces. Extensive hardware, finishes, and details.
Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing
Refacing cabinets is a process where the old doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are removed, and new elements are selected to reinstall. Refinishing involves removing the same components for sanding, staining, and reinstallation.
How are kitchen remodeling costs being distorted?
Some of the bids you may receive are artificially low. There are re-modelers out there using cheap imports (usually from China) to cut corners to be the lowest bid. Quality always suffers.
While the shows on the home and garden channels are fun to watch, they often leave homeowners with some unrealistic expectations about the costs and time-frames involved with remodeling a home. While we’re fast, professional, and present the most minimal intrusion on your life, we take care to do it right. Our clients aren’t typically flipping a house for a television show but instead enjoying their new space for years to come.
How to start your kitchen remodel
Take some time to browse on Pinterest and Houzz. We speak both fluently and can help turn that Pinterest-fantasy kitchen into a reality. Also, read more about our home remodeling.
Start planning your budget. Remember to think of it in terms of a percentage of your home’s value.
Once you’ve got ideas and a budget, let’s talk. We can help you understand where your dreams and budget meet. We’ll also be able to explain the timeline for a project like yours, how we make it a pleasant experience, and additional ideas to minimize the impact on your life our professional crews will have.