Remodeling the kitchen is one of the most satisfying things that you can do. However, when you look at the costs, it can get very discouraging – especially when you did not expect those prices. Being informed can keep the surprises away in the long run, allowing you to prepare your budget more efficiently.
Overview: Average Full Remodel Cost of a Kitchen
Kitchen remodeling can ask for a different price for every homeowner. This is because several factors need to be taken into consideration, such as project and kitchen size, labor costs, geographic location, and materials used. Expect to pay somewhere between $14,000 and $40,000, with the average being somewhere around $26,000.
Kitchen Remodeling Breakdown
Kitchen remodeling can cost different amounts, depending on what you want to focus on. Breaking down the cost will help you know what to expect and how to calculate your budget.
- Appliances
Appliances are likely the least expensive part, especially since you don’t always have to replace everything. For the most part, 5% of your budget will go into this section. Costs can go from as little as $100 to as much as $5,000, depending on what you have to change.
- Lighting
Lighting fixtures, just like appliances, also take only a small part of your budget. You’ll need about 5% here as well. Expect to pay somewhere around $1,500 to completely update your lighting. The final prices will depend on whether you just want to change your current lighting or wish to add new light spots in the kitchen.
- Walls and Ceiling
Not everyone wants to renovate up to their walls and ceiling, but if you do, expect it to take about 5%-11% of the full budget. This will depend on whether you are doing the renovation yourself, if you are painting, or if you are taking down tiles. Expect to pay at least $1,500 for a full kitchen.
- Flooring
Flooring can take up about 18% of your kitchen renovation costs. The fancier the flooring, the more it can take out of your pockets. On average, you can expect to pay around $1,000-$4,000 on kitchen flooring. Most interior designers advise against detailed flooring, as it can be expensive and go out of fashion very soon.
“Just don't do it! If you want a pattern on the floor, change up the wood to a herringbone, or choose a stone with a tone-on-tone pattern (like a water-jet mosaic),” says Kelly Taylor, an interior designer with her own company.
- Backsplash and Countertops
While countertops and backsplashes take up a small part of your kitchen, you can expect their cost to be 18% of your kitchen renovation budget.
- Cabinetry
Cabinets take the biggest part of your renovation budget, pulling around 41% of it. The final price can depend on how many cabinets you want to change, along with their overall build. On average, you can expect to pay around $8,400 or more on cabinets, and $1,000 or more on storage optimization.
How to Save on Kitchen Remodeling
The average kitchen remodeling can cost quite a bit if you are not smart about it. Here are a few efficient ways to reduce costs:
- Keep Your Current Layout
Kitchen remodeling becomes more expensive if you want to make major changes to your layout. To keep it as low as possible, you may want to keep your gas, plumbing, and electrical wiring as they are. Only make some minor modifications where necessary.
- Do the Occasional DIY
While it’s always a good idea to hire a professional for things you can’t handle, you should also try some DIY here and there. This could save you a good chunk of the labor costs.
- Save on Countertops
Countertops are a great visual aspect of your kitchen, but depending on their materials or construction, they can be very expensive. If you want to save on kitchen remodeling, you may want to go for laminate or single-thickness countertops. The situation changes if you want to put your house on the market.
“The money is in the kitchen. Everybody wants granite countertops,” says real estate agent Marie Collins. As a result, if you want to sell the house in the future, you shouldn’t skimp on the budget.
