How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?
Let’s answer the question, “What does it cost to remodel a kitchen?” and “What are the factors that drive the cost of a Kitchen Remodel?” Yes, there are many important factors to consider when deciding what to do and who to work with, but let’s focus solely on the Budget factor for this one.
So, what does it cost? What an extremely good question! The short and easy answer is “It depends!” That answer not good enough? We know! If you don’t have time to read the entire article, then here is the shortest answer we can give. If you are remodeling a kitchen, replacing everything (cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc.), you can expect to spend $60-110k+. Why such a big range you may ask? Well, maybe it’s worth reading the rest of the article as we discuss the factors that drive the cost of remodeling a kitchen and take a look at an example using a simple kitchen calculator.
What factors drive the cost of Kitchen Remodels?
Size Matters!
This may be the number one factor when it comes to the costs of a kitchen. Why is that? Because the size of the kitchen determines how many cabinets need to be purchased and how many square feet you will need of countertops. Those 2 items are the most expensive parts of a kitchen remodel. So, size changes everything. For the purpose of this pricing, we’re going to assume it’s an average - large kitchen. Smaller kitchens should cost a little less, but everything else still applies.
Quality of finishes
A faucet is just a faucet, right? Well, kinda…but not really. This is why the ‘Quality of finishes’ is an important factor. Somebody may be perfectly okay with a $100 faucet from Amazon while another may spend $500 on a high-end brand like Delta. What’s the difference between the two? While Amazon is great for many things, the off-brand faucet may not have the longevity or quality of a well-known brand. The saying, “You get what you pay for” rings true in almost every situation when it comes to remodels.
The same goes for countertops, cabinets, appliances, etc. Yes, there are many inexpensive options for cabinets and countertops that you can purchase from big box stores, but they’re not going to be the same quality as what you get from a specialized supplier. Yes, they cost more, but the quality of your project increases as you invest in higher quality items, and you can expect them to last much longer with less maintenance and fewer repairs.
Plumbing and Electrical Adjustments
“I’d like to move the sink to the island and add a pot filler above the stove.” Or “I want to install new pendant lights and add more outlets.” These are requests we hear several times a year, and these small changes can lead to large increases in prices as they add up.
When plumbing or electrical needs to be adjusted, it either means tearing out drywall, going through ceiling/floor joists, and pulling up the subfloor. This is a labor-intensive process and can add thousands per adjustment. Let’s say your kitchen doesn’t have an island sink, and you’d like to add one. You have to consider the cost of demo, plumbing, the materials to make that happen, and the new sink and faucet that need to be purchased. You can expect to spend $3-5k for that alone.
Have you seen kitchens with professional-grade stoves and pot fillers? They are incredible and popular, but they also require additional plumbing and electrical work. You can expect each new fixture to cost roughly $3-6k each depending on the complexity of the installation.
Lighting and Ventilation
Lighting in kitchens can be inadequate. Many kitchens simply have a central light fixture. Almost every kitchen remodel requires new light fixtures and often additional lighting like Under and over cabinet lights. Sometimes that isn’t enough though. There are cases where the kitchen actually needs recessed lights added. Each new fixture requires additional wiring, drywall cutout and repair, as well as new switches.
One of the worst things about most kitchens is the lack of proper ventilation. A builder often installs the cheapest range hood, which can be noisy and inefficient. Upgrading to a high-quality range hood that effectively removes cooking odors and fumes can significantly improve the kitchen environment but comes at an additional cost.
Custom or Semi-Custom Cabinetry
Want your kitchen to be more functional and luxurious? Custom cabinetry and storage solutions can make a huge difference. These are great options because you can optimize your space with pull-out drawers, spice racks, and other custom features. However, these come at a cost. Custom cabinets can cost you anywhere from $50-100k depending on the size of the kitchen and the materials used.
Semi-Custom cabinets are the most popular choice though because you get customizable options from pre-manufactured cabinet selections. Want that spice rack or appliance garage? You can still get those with semi-custom cabinets, but with a limited list of options. They are made with a solid-wood construction and are factory finished so they imitate the quality aspects of custom cabinets, but they are pre-manufactured. These, instead would cost you between $20-40k.
Quality of the Contractor and the Customer Experience
Something that can go unseen when a project goes smoothly is the experience and quality of the contractor you worked with. But, when you have a bad one, it’s the first thing you notice, and you stay miserable through the whole project even after it’s finished. It’s like every time you walk into your kitchen, you think of how hard it was to make this happen.
The quality of your contractor matters so much in remodeling. A team of people are going to be in your house working for weeks on end, several months on end if you hired the wrong person. You want to enjoy the experience of remodeling your kitchen, creating a space for cooking and gathering. What you don’t want is to have the project delayed again and again, have to fight for people to show up, or argue with the contractor about what was included and what costs extra. Take the time to investigate whether the contractor you’re hiring is the right person to be married to for the extent of the project.
A good experience with a good contractor may, or almost certainly will, cost you more than someone else. You can always hire a cheaper person if you keep looking. The question is, “What are you willing to sacrifice to make that happen?”
HOW CAN I CALCULATE WHAT MY KITCHEN IS GOING TO COST?
Let’s use these calculations as an example. Not every line item will be the exact same for you, but this gives you a good idea of what all is involved and which steps of the process cost the most money.
Demo and Moving Fixtures = $5-10k
Semi-Custom Cabinets and Installation = $20-40k
Countertops = $12-18k
Flooring = $4-8k
Painting = $2-4k
Kitchen Accessories (handles, knobs, etc.) = $1-2k
Plumbing Fixtures = $3-7k
Electrical Fixtures = $2-5k
Appliances = $6-10k
Project Management & General Costs = $5-6k
TOTAL = $60-110k
Now, are you going to spend exactly these numbers for your kitchen? Not exactly. Every kitchen is different in size and design. It could even be less than this if it’s a small kitchen. The best next step for you is to set up a Ballpark Estimate phone call to discuss 1) What your vision is for the remodel, 2) Your ideal timeline for completion, and 3) A ballpark estimate. This will get you the valuable information that you need to know to make an educated decision about moving forward with your kitchen remodel.