What Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen? Understanding Your Renovation Budget

Homeowners often feel mystified by the cost of their kitchen renovation project. It’s hard to get an exact price for a renovation, because each project has its own unique needs, features, quirks, and fixes. In terms of materials, you have budget options and luxury options. And on of top all that, installers across the country charge different rates for similar services.

It’s difficult to know the exact cost of your remodeling project from the outset. However, you can start thinking about your remodeling budget as early as possible. To help you get started, we’ve included the costs of a typical kitchen remodel. We also share budget benchmarks, breakdowns about kitchen remodeling costs and tips on how to save on renovation costs.

Content

• How Do I Budget My Kitchen Renovation?
• What Does a Typical Remodel Cost?
• What Does it Cost to Install a Kitchen Remodel?
• Is Remodeling My Kitchen a Good Investment?
• How Can You Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel?

How Do I Budget My Kitchen Renovation?

Your budget is hugely important. It shapes what’s possible with your kitchen, from the materials you choose to the professional help you hire.

For the average, medium-sized kitchen remodel, $20,000 to $50,000 is a reasonable starting point for your budget. Your remodeling budget will depend on things like: where you live, home value, product selection and project scope. Do you want to gut your whole kitchen, including moving walls and relocating utilities? It will be costlier than simply replacing appliances and kitchen cabinet in the existing layout.

How you divvy up your budget will depend on your household’s needs. Here is an example budget breakdown:

• Cabinets: 29%
• Appliances: 17%
• Install: 13%
• Countertop: 11%
• Lighting & Electrical: 10%
• Plumbing: 6%
• Flooring: 5%
• Backsplash: 5%
• Miscellaneous: 4%

In order to prepare for unexpected expenses, we recommend setting aside 10-20% of your total budget.

What Does a Typical Kitchen Remodel Cost?

The national average cost to remodel a kitchen is about $22,000. That number doesn’t tell the whole story though. Your new kitchen could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size and scope of your project. Typical kitchen remodels range from $12,500 to $33,000.

We created this chart to show what a kitchen remodel would look like under different budgets.

What Does it Cost to Install a Kitchen Remodel?

This pricing chart from HomeAdvisor provides a breakdown of the various costs of installing the elements of a kitchen remodel.

Is Remodeling My Kitchen a Good Investment?

“For potential buyers, the kitchen is the room that can make or break the sale,” writes Kristen Hampshire at HGTV. “An upgraded, attractive kitchen can make your home irresistible.”

Kitchen remodels continue growing in popularity. For one reason, they often give a huge boost to home resale value. In 2019, a $66,000 kitchen remodel recouped an average of 62% of the cost upon the sale of the house. A smaller $22,000 remodel netted an average return of 80%.

Smaller remodels can have greater ROI because they tend to aim at solving functional problems. They are often designed with more versatile styles. More expensive projects tend to place a high priority to personal style and aesthetics. Although potential buyers will care that the plumbing and appliances work, most will not need a highly ornamented kitchen.

Unless your goal is to immediately sell your house, it’s best to design a kitchen you’ll love. Ultimately, your kitchen is more than an investment. It’s where you provide for and nurture your family. The kitchen is where you entertain friends and guests. It’s the living and breathing hub of your home, where thinking, conversing, and resting happens.

If you’re living in your home for the years to come, then pick out what you want and enjoy it. The Research for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence found that 40% of homeowners say they wish they had spent more money on their kitchen renovation. Their biggest regret was not adding more organizational features.

How Can You Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel?

Kitchen remodeling budgets have ballooned over the last several years. Not only have kitchens gotten bigger over time, they’ve also gotten fancier. Even modestly priced homes are increasingly demanding luxury features.

While you can include special features on a smaller budget, you may need to find way to be frugal.

Here are some ways to trim costs:

Shop smart

Start early and take your time to find bargains. First, research products so you can evaluate quality. Next, look online and at discount outlets for deals. Keep in mind that buy in-stock merchandise usually costs less. Finally, if you find a product you like that’s out of budget, look for similar styles at less expensive retailers. You could also try shopping at reuse centers and salvage stores.

Keep your current layout

Anything that involves moving plumbing, gas, or electrical will hike up your budget. To cut costs, get a design that preserves your existing kitchen footprint, or modify it only slightly. It is possible to move some appliances without moving their hook-up. For example, a dishwasher can usually be moved to the other side of a sink.

Get free professional services

CliqStudios offers free professional design services. Let your designer know that cost is a priority. They will use their expertise to help design your kitchen with cost in mind. The professionals at lighting, appliance, tile and countertop stores can also be valuable sources of advice.

Do-it-yourself or Manage-it-yourself

Even if you don’t have construction or DIY skills, you might consider managing your project as your own general contractor. Being your own general contractor could save you up to 30 percent on your entire remodeling project.

Save on countertops

To give some relief to your budget, consider using single thickness countertops or opting for laminate. Choose less expensive countertop materials to save money. If you’re selling soon, keep in mind that many buyers look for stone surfaces like granite or quartz.

Hit the books

One of the best ways to stay on budget is learning from other remodelers. Luckily, there are extensive resources on remodeling on a budget. Here are a few:

• Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke: A Home Improvement Primer by Jim Molinelli
• Affordable Kitchen Upgrades by Steve Cory and Diane Slavik
• Do It Yourself: Kitchens: Stunning Spaces on a Shoestring Budget by Better Homes and Gardens