Popular Kitchen Renovations
A kitchen remodel is an extremely open-ended project, and the overall cost of it will reflect how ambitious you are to remake your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling on a tight budget might involve a cabinet facelift and a new appliance or two, or you could splurge and get new custom cabinets, floors, countertops, and appliances.
Cabinets
Easily the most recognizable item in your kitchen, cabinets have a strong impact on your home’s overall decor as well. When it comes to updating them, there are two major options: a cabinet facelift (by means of cabinet refacing or resurfacing) or a complete replacement. Kitchen cabinet refacing involves keeping the original cabinet box but replacing the cabinet faces, doors and hardware. Kitchen cabinet resurfacing, a simpler and less costly option, consists of applying a new coat of stain or paint to cabinets. Some homeowners choose to also replace cabinet hardware during the resurfacing process. If you opt to replace your cabinets entirely, you’ll spend more but have the freedom to choose new boxes, doors, and hardware.
Flooring
A kitchen floor must not only look good, but also be tough enough to stand up to heavy traffic, spills, and other daily abuse. Cheaper floors tend to wear out over time, while some types of stone require regular maintenance for top performance. Consider ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl, or linoleum for kitchen flooring that is customizable yet durable.
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Appliances
Maybe you’ve slowly been updating your kitchen but the appliances are lagging behind. Or, perhaps sometime in the recent past you updated your major appliances and just need smaller appliances and everyday cooking products. Then again, you could be ready to scrap everything, large and small, and hit the reset button. Buying new appliances mirrors a kitchen remodel itself: you can go as big, or as small, as you want to. Whatever you decide on, remember to balance form, function, and efficiency and of course, try to remain within your budget.
Countertops
Updating kitchen countertops alone can add some serious style and functionality to your kitchen, and is cheaper than many homeowners realize. The modern countertop shopper has more options than ever before, and should have no problem finding the right material at the right price. Although you might have your heart set on elegant granite or another type of stone, keep in mind that newer synthetics closely resemble real stone but cost less and perform better.
Kitchen Remodeling Considerations
A kitchen remodel will pay big dividends when it’s completed, but during the construction phase be prepared to have your daily routine somewhat uprooted. At a bare minimum, you’ll be unable to access certain parts of your kitchen for at least a day or two. Good kitchen remodeling contractors, however, can coordinate the remodeling process with your family so that workaday activities aren’t totally interrupted. A little communication goes a long way in this regard, so be sure to hire somebody who is responsive to your wishes. Before the renovation even begins, however, you may have trouble deciding what direction you want to go with your kitchen upgrade. With nearly limitless options to choose from when remodeling a kitchen, you may find it helpful to hire a design expert. These knowledgeable individuals have a plethora of kitchen remodeling ideas at their disposal that you can avail yourself of when undertaking a redesign.
Kitchen Remodeling Costs
Major factors affecting the cost of kitchen remodeling include kitchen size, accessibility to plumbing/electrical components (if moving sinks, dishwashers, laundry, etc.), whether or not walls need to be constructed or knocked down, and the grade of materials chosen. The following price estimates reflect middle-of-the-road materials and appliances unless otherwise stated.
- Homeowners nationwide can expect to pay $15,000 to $20,000 for a modest kitchen remodel that might include new flooring, countertops, sink, and cabinets, as well as a new refrigerator and stove.
- A more premium kitchen remodel that includes 30-40 square feet of granite countertops and 100 square feet of high-end flooring may cost upwards of $35,000 to $45,000.
- Expect to pay anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 for a complete demolition and remodel with top-of-the-line materials in a larger than average kitchen (60+ square feet of countertop space and 150+ square feet of useable kitchen space).
- Installing a typical 15-20 square foot island or breakfast bar can add $1,500 – $2,500 to the total project cost.
- A budget-friendly kitchen remodel consisting of cabinet refacing and new countertops might cost as little as $6,000 to $8,000.
- Hiring a kitchen design professional starts at around $300 for a simple consultation and could cost several thousand dollars depending on the degree to which the designer is involved.