Remodeling a kitchen is one of the most involved projects you can do in the whole wide world of home improvement. While it's sometimes necessary due to old and rotting appliances, most kitchen remodels are done to add value to a home. It's a good choice, too. You'll get a return on your investment. Let's take a closer look at everything related to a remodel.
Table of Contents
How Much Does A Kitchen Remodel Cost?
What Is The Most Expensive Part Of A Kitchen Remodel?
What Is The Cheapest Way To Renovate A Kitchen?
How Often Should You Remodel Your Kitchen?
Is Remodeling Your Kitchen Worth It?
Kitchen Remodel Costs Bottom Line
How Much Does A Kitchen Remodel Cost?
The average kitchen remodel will cost $16,890. However, projects can range from $10,000 to $75,000 or more depending on what you are doing, the size of the kitchen, and if you need any additional plumbing. The exact cost of a kitchen remodel will depend on the intricacy of the remodel.
1. Light Kitchen Remodels: $10,000 to $20,000
Are you just replacing some cabinets? Maybe just switching out a sink for a newer model? Good news. These simple remodels are fairly cheap since you're not going to need new plumbing or appliances, it'll be on the low end of things.
Light remodeling can also be called "partial remodeling," primarily because it often means that you're going to focus on one feature of your kitchen. For example, a partial remodel might involve adding lighting to your cabinetry, or
2. Moderate Kitchen Remodels: $15,000 to $35,000
Moderate remodels are a lot like light remodels, but on a grander scale. You won't have to re-wire anything or get new plumbing in most cases. However, you may choose to reface your cabinetry, get even better appliances, add some new paint, add a kitchen island, and retile your kitchen.
In some cases, moderate remodels may involve changing your countertops or even going so far as to completely install new cabinets. If you're going for a petite kitchen with major upgrades, or a larger kitchen with moderate upgrades, then this is your price range.
3. Heavy Kitchen Remodels: $35,000 to $75,000+
Heavy remodels are where all the bells and whistles come out. If you want a fully prepped chef-ready kitchen with top-of-the-line equipment, a full redo of all the sockets and plumbing, as well as a complete overhaul of your kitchen layout, you're talking about a heavy remodel job.
Believe it or not, a remodel of this caliber can often cost as much as a small home. Because they can be so intricate and involved, you never know where the cap on this can be. Depending on your budget, it's possible to end up getting a completely custom-built setup with "fashion shoot" style appliances.
What Is The Most Expensive Part Of A Kitchen Remodel?
This may be a shocker for most people, but the most expensive part of a typical kitchen remodel is not the plumbing or rewiring. It's not even the flooring. It's the dang cabinetry. Even in a fairly average kitchen remodeling project, it's possible to spend $15,000 on parts and labor related to cabinetry installs.
There are several reasons why this is the case. The biggest issue is that replacing the cabinetry tends to be very labor-intensive to install. Installation requires you to pull apart and remove the current cabinetry and then add new cabinetry.
Moreover, cabinetry is often custom-cut and custom-measured. This, too, pumps up the price tag even more. A close second to cabinetry is new appliances. If you want to get top-tier appliances, you should expect to shell out several thousand dollars at the very least.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Renovate A Kitchen?
If you are on a tight budget, it may be better to save up for a more complete remodel than to try to renovate your kitchen. However, it's understandable if you want to go ahead with your remodel. If you need to get started as soon as you can, make sure that you try to follow these quick tips:
- If you have the ability to do so, DIY it. Most renovation price tags are high because of the cost of labor. A single cabinet contractor can easily cost $50 to $100 an hour, and cabinetry installs take quite a bit of time. The less you outsource it, the more you can do on a small budget.
- Consider keeping your current cabinetry. Since cabinetry is the number one biggest price tag, then you may need to cut the idea of getting new cabinetry. Instead, consider stripping the cabinetry's finish and trying a new look through paint or a new finish.
- Check out budget countertops. While marble would look amazing in your kitchen, it's not going to come cheap. You might want to check outpoured concrete, a wooden countertop, or some composite granite instead.
- Make a point of shopping around. This may be common sense, but it's worth repeating. You need to make sure you're getting a good deal, so try to get the best price you can. Get at least three contractor quotes before you make a decision.
- If you want to splurge, focus on one item. Whether it's a kitchen island or a new countertop doesn't matter. What matters is that it's JUST. ONE. THING.
- Go for details, rather than big showstoppers. Things like countertops and new appliances can easily rack up a pretty penny. However, you don't need to splurge to breathe new life into a kitchen. Things like adding lighting under the cabinets, adding cute faucets, or even painting the kitchen can do wonders.
How Often Should You Remodel Your Kitchen?
Unless you live in the Hamptons, where people might expect you to remodel your kitchen every year, chances are that you're going to wait a while between renovations. The good news is that kitchens are fairly resilient, and it can be quite a while before you need to renovate again.
Most experts say that you can stretch a new renovation a good 10 to 15 years before you need to call up renovators again. This, of course, is for a complete overhaul. If you maintain your kitchen particularly well, you may be able to go without renovating for as much as 25 years or more…though we don't advise it because of how dated it will look.
How Long Can Kitchens Last?
Believe it or not, kitchens are more resilient than you would believe. Proper care and maintenance means that you can expect parts of your kitchen, such as the cabinetry, to last for as long as 50 years. Other parts, such as tiling, can last for 15 to 20 with good maintenance.
Overall, most people will know when it's time to start replacing parts of their kitchen. If you notice serious disrepair, you should start working on replacing everything.
How Do You Prevent Needing A Renovation Sooner Rather Than Later?
The easiest way to make sure your renovation sticks is to invest in quality work and avoid hackneyed design options. It's just that simple. The more timeless your kitchen is, the less likely it is that you will feel the pressure to renovate your kitchen. The fewer problems your kitchen's materials have, the less likely you will need to renovate.
Is Remodeling Your Kitchen Worth It?
Yes, remodeling your kitchen is worth it. There's nothing quite as nice as cooking in a newly-renovated kitchen, especially if you are a fan of the culinary arts.
Upgraded (and updated) appliances can help keep food fresh and make cooking easier. Having an updated look to your kitchen can wow guests, not to mention offer yourself a reason to have a sense of pride in your kitchen's design. Besides, who doesn't love to soak up all the compliments a new kitchen gets?
Of course, from a seller's standpoint, remodeling is a smart move too. A newly remodeled kitchen can increase your home's value by several thousand dollars. Many buyers also tend to prefer houses with new kitchens, too. This can translate into a higher demand as well as a faster sale time.
Kitchen Remodel Costs Bottom Line
If you want to remodel a kitchen, then you have to expect your project to run into the thousands. This is especially true if you're not a person who does their own home improvement, too. The average kitchen remodel cost is well over $15,000, you know.
Thankfully, there are ways to make kitchen remodeling a little bit more affordable. By choosing the right materials, careful planning, and focusing on your kitchen's "flavor accents," you can get stellar results on almost any budget.
If you would like to renovate your bathroom next, check out Bath Fitters to ensure professional installation and quality results tailored to your needs.