What Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?

What Does It Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?

Let us help you understand your renovation budget!

Homeowners often feel mystified by the cost of their kitchen renovation project. It’s hard to get an exact price for a renovation, because each project has its own unique needs, features, quirks, and fixes. In terms of materials, you have budget options and luxury options. And on of top all that, installers across the country charge different rates for similar services.

Even though it’s difficult to know the exact cost of your remodeling project from the outset, you can – and should – start thinking about your remodeling budget as early as possible. To help you get started, we’ve included in this article budget benchmarks, breakdowns about kitchen remodeling costs, and tips on how to save on your remodel.

Content

How Do I Budget My Kitchen Renovation?
What Does a Typical Remodel Cost?
What Does it Cost to Install a Kitchen Remodel?
Is Remodeling My Kitchen a Good Investment?
How Can You Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel?

How Do I Budget My Kitchen Renovation?

Your budget is hugely important. It shapes what’s possible with your kitchen, from the materials you choose to the professional help you hire.

For the average, medium-sized kitchen remodel, $20,000 to $50,000 is a reasonable starting point for your budget. The exact amount will depend on where you live, what you can afford, what products you select and how much construction you want done. Do you want to gut your whole kitchen, including moving walls and relocating utilities? It will be costlier than simply replacing appliances and cabinets in the existing layout.

How you divvy up your budget will depend on your household’s needs. Here is an example budget breakdown:

Cabinets: 29%
Appliances: 17%
Install: 13%
Countertop: 11%
Lighting & Electrical: 10%
Plumbing: 6%
Flooring: 5%
Backsplash: 5%
Miscellaneous: 4%

In order to prepare for unexpected expenses, we recommend setting aside 10-20% of your total budget.

What Does a Typical Kitchen Remodel Cost?

The national average cost to remodel a kitchen is about $22,000. That number doesn’t tell the whole story though. Your new kitchen could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size and scope of your project. Typical kitchen remodels range from $12,500 to $33,000.

We created this chart to show what a kitchen remodel would look like under different budgets.

What Does it Cost to Install a Kitchen Remodel?

This pricing chart from HomeAdvisor provides a breakdown of the various costs of installing the elements of a kitchen remodel.

Is Remodeling My Kitchen a Good Investment?

“For potential buyers, the kitchen is the room that can make or break the sale,” writes Kristen Hampshire at HGTV. “An upgraded, attractive kitchen can make your home irresistible.”

Kitchen remodels have become more and more popular, and it’s no wonder given the huge boost they can give to a house’s resale value. In 2017, a $60,000 kitchen remodel recouped an average of 65% of the cost upon the sale of the house. A smaller $20,000 remodel netted an average return of 80%.

Smaller remodels can have greater ROI because they tend to aim at solving functional problems, and are designed to appeal to the masses. More expensive projects tend to place higher priority to personal style and aesthetics. But while any potential buyer will care that the plumbing and appliances work, not every buyer will care for a highly ornamented kitchen in the style of a rustic Tuscan farmhouse.

Still, unless your goal is to immediately re-sell your house, it’s a great idea to invest in the kitchen you’ll love. Ultimately, your kitchen is more than an investment. It’s where you provide for and nurture your family. The kitchen is where you entertain friends and guests. It’s the living and breathing hub of your home, where thinking, conversing, and resting happens.

If you’re living in your home for the years to come, then pick out what you want and enjoy it. A survey conducted by the Research for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence found that 40% of homeowners say they wish they had spent more money on their kitchen renovation. Their biggest regret was not adding more organizational features.