How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” Home remodeling can be daunting, especially when people love to share their horror stories of projects that snowballed and went way over budget, or you have your own experiences of a simple fix that ended up being complicated. We’re talking kitchen remodeling costs, and information is power, folks, so today, I’m giving you some power!

When you contemplate a remodeling project, especially in a high-value area of your home such as a kitchen, you have to know what you’re getting yourself into. Before you can set a budget, you need to start with realistic expectations of what you want and what things cost. It’s great to dream of that beautiful high-end, magazine-worthy kitchen, but if you have a firm budget of $30,000, you’re going to have to make trade-offs between the dream and the reality. For our purposes, we’ll be talking about a floor-to-ceiling total kitchen remodel.

First, let’s talk about the biggest expenditure items — cabinetry, appliances, countertops.

Cabinetry

The cabinets you choose will likely make up the largest expenditure in terms of materials. There’s a huge range in terms of quality and style - everything from IKEA-style “stock” cabinetry to semi-custom cabinetry, which will allow you a variety of choices in terms of wood species and door styles, to completely custom-made cabinetry that may include details that are specific to your home. Assume you choose something that allows for some flexibility in terms of choices, say, semi-custom or above in terms of quality. Additional features, such as the type of door, finishes, glazes and additional architectural details, not to mention functional features such as pull out drawers and soft close doors, will add to the price you can expect to pay.

Magazines such as Elle, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, or Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas (pictured below) will almost always feature cabinetry in the fully custom/luxury range, where every detail is considered. Achieving this look will almost always require working with a designer. Note that if you are working with a designer, it is not uncommon for him or her to request adding a professional kitchen designer to your budget, as kitchen designing is a specialized field and a helpful expenditure when trying to achieve a truly high-end look.

The bottom line? From the bottom to the top of the line, expect your cabinetry to run from approximately $75 (for stock IKEA style cabinets) to $1400 (custom) per linear foot.

Appliances

Your next large expenditure will be appliances, including standard items like refrigerator, oven, cooktop, ventilation hood, and dishwasher, and more specialty appliances such as wine coolers, warming ovens, etc. For just the standard appliances, these can range from $2500 - $35,000, again, depending on quality, brand, finish and features. High-end appliances, including those such as this Le Cornue stove (alone, approx. $10,000) shown below, will be at the upper end, from $12,000 - $35,000 or more.

Source: Williams Sonoma

Countertops

Countertops will be the third largest material cost for your remodeled kitchen. Again, it all depends on your choices. Granite, solid surface, quartz , or marble ($35 - $100/sq ft, installed), custom colored concrete ($75 - $125), soapstone ($70 - $100), stainless steel ($65 - $125)? Further cost determinants include the thickness, edging, and seaming required. Seaming, in particular, must be done with extreme care, and is a detail where the additional cost (approximately 20%) of a kitchen designer will truly prove its worth. If the planning is done wrong, you will be out a lot of time and money to repair mistakes.

Other Elements

Keep in mind that what we’ve discussed above are simply the “biggies.” Here are other factors and features that will need to be included in a major kitchen remodel:

• Structural Changes (moving walls, doors, windows, etc)
• Plumbing and Fixtures
• Lighting
• Electrical
• Cabinetry Hardware
• Interior Cabinetry Storage and Features
• Flooring
• Paint and Repair for Walls and Ceiling
• Trims and Moulding
• Venting and Air Considerations
• Local Permit, Zoning, and Code Requirements
• Living costs during remodeling (eating out, etc)

So, all in all, what should you expect to pay for your major kitchen remodel? According to a recent survey by Remodeling Magazine, a major mid-range remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen will range from approximately $50,000 - $64,000, with an upscale remodel of the same size closer to the $105,000 - $120,000 range. Keep in mind, that these numbers will also depend on your market. If you live in a major metropolitan area such as New York or Los Angeles, your numbers for an upscale remodel will be higher, more like $120,000 - $150,000, whereas in secondary markets, your numbers may be somewhat lower, say, $80,000.

If your budget is on the more modest scale, there are ways to cut costs by shopping aggressively, doing work yourself, and making compromises on material choices. Be aware that even with these cost-cutting measures, a minimum number for a major kitchen remodel is in the neighborhood of $25,000. Also, don’t be afraid to consult a professional! Their expertise and know-how may save you costly mistakes in guiding you towards when to make cuts or where to put your money for the best long-term value.

I would love to assist you in helping make the kitchen of your dreams also be the kitchen within your budget! Call Melanie Langford, CT Interior Designer of All About Interiors.

For further information, see Houzz Kitchen Costs and 10 Steps to Budgeting for Your Kitchen Remodel.