Kitchen Remodel: Cost Breakdown

So you all have been asking: how much will it cost to create my DREAM kitchen?! After years of expertise in the ‘renovating kitchens’ category and other rigorous calculations, I’ll be honest with you... it’s a tough number to crack. Every kitchen reno is different, some have their quirks, especially when you start digging into walls. And by quirks I mean annoying unexpected costs that are…. just plain annoying and unexpected! Have I talked you into getting that dream kitchen of yours yet?!?! Maybe this before and after transformation will do the trick…

Here’s a breakdown of our typical kitchen remodel cost with a couple of pretty kitchens along the way, too:

The Numbers.

The average kitchen that we’re doing right now, with us as the contractor, is around $50,000. I know, probably not something you have lying around the house, right??? This is just an estimate for our market considering finishes most clients want, plus labor and project management- which is coming in high these days. Luckily there are options to cut costs down significantly, whether it’s tackling some of the labor yourself like the real BA DIY-er you are or finding more budget-friendly materials.

Let’s talk CABINETS! My favorite kind of talk.

* Cue Cabinet Dance *

Custom cabinets: average: $27,000

Box cabinets: average: $15,000

Cabinets normally cover a bulk of a kitchen renovation budget and they come either box or custom- we use a mix of both depending on our clients budget! Custom cabinets are more personalized with convenient organizational features and you have more freedom with color and style options. If you’re looking for the budget-friendly option, box cabinets (pre-set dimensions, styles, & colors) might be the route for you. Box cabinetry still looks rad and doesn’t break the bank.

COUNTERTOPS

Quartz: average: $8,000

Add waterfall edge: + $3,000

Quartz is the new marble, it’s the new granite, it’s the new everything and it’s what all of our clients are wanting. It’s not as pricey as marble and it’s extremely durable. Win-win. And did I mention it’s also BEAUTIFUL?! Triple win.

If you’re looking for a cheaper countertop situation, a less expensive route would be a sleek butcher-block top (Hey Ikea!) or you can score a super modern look with laminate countertops (Yes I said laminate and modern in the same sentence!) Formica has beautiful laminate options- check them out!

The Infamous TILE.

Backsplash material + labor: average (if I’m on my best behavior): $1,500

If you know me you know I love tile. Unfortunately, we live in a cruel, cruel world where the more tile you use, the more EXPENSIVE it is. Which is incredibly rude if you ask me. Luckily the creative opportunity is endless when it comes to tile and you can achieve a killer look while using less expensive material, which helps with the whole cost thing.

Appliances:

Appliance Package: $8,000

The average appliance package we are doing is based on Kitchen Aid or Whirlpool packages with some upgraded options, which have been wonderful! There are cheaper options out there too. You’ll also be seeing a lot more color options in the appliance world if you haven’t already. Apparently, it’s the “next big thing,” which is super exciting since I love color, but I typically go with the classic stainless steel look- it’s modern and I always love the end result.

SO FAR:

Cabinetry: $15,000

Quartz: $8,000

Appliances: $8,000

Tile Backsplash: $1,500

Total: $32,500

Now add demo, labor, plumbing, electrical, permits, contracting, & design fees, floor & wall repairs, hardware, etc. When adding all this up, we usually see it landing around $50,000.

Other Budgeting Tips…

One might ask- how in the world will I afford this?!?! Financing is most common when undertaking a kitchen reno, which we walk our clients through when that time comes. And if you’re determined to get the most bang-for-your-buck I would recommend channeling your inner crafty side. This may feel like a stretch for you if you’re still drawing stick people as an adult like the majority of us… BUT what you can learn on the Internet these days is no joke, folks! You can become a pro at laying the tile yourself or painting your existing cabinets by simply watching a Youtube video. Another way to give your kitchen a refresh is by simply updating the hardware to a more modern profile or unique silhouette (check out Etsy!). Bottom-line, labor is a high-ticket item when it comes to kitchen remodels, so learning to do a few things yourself will save extra cash. Plus, if you DIY kitchen-reno-style, that’s pretty darn cool and you deserve a big “#1” on your stick figure self-portrait because you are #1 and the best darn DIY-er that anyone ever knew.

So there you have it- the average kitchen renovation cost based on our experience. It’s challenging to give hard numbers for remodeling projects – but I hope this breakdown helps! Leave us a comment if you have any questions or tips on how to make the kitchen renovation process even more budget-friendly!

Stay tuned for the next blog on our average bathroom remodel cost!