How much does a new or remodeled kitchen cost?
Room size, floor plan, product choices and amount of labor required all affect the costs. Replacing a few items will obviously cost less than starting from scratch. However, a remodeled kitchen can cost more than a new one if it involves major structural change or unpleasant surprises such as asbestos.
Depending on what you want, kitchens can cost $5,000, $50,000 or $150,000. You can keep the price down by making affordable product choices—vinyl flooring instead of tile, laminate counters instead of granite. We can offer suggestions on what materials to use to stay within your budget.
How should I set my budget?
We can help you examine your goals for the project to help you set your budget. If you're only looking to refresh your current space for resale, we can provide ideas that can save you the most money. If you’re after your dream kitchen in a home where you plan to stay for a while, we can show you how to invest more in the areas needed to create your vision.
If you are trying to sell your home, a rule of thumb says your kitchen should represent 10 percent to 20 percent of the fair-market value of your home. So if your home would sell for about $300,000, then spend between $30,000 and $60,000 on your kitchen improvements. If you spend less than 10%, then the kitchen won’t meet potential buyers’ expectations. You're less likely to make your money back at resale if you've just spent more than 20% on remodeling. At that point, you'd have to wait at least a year before getting a return on your investment.
How long does it take to complete a kitchen remodel?
There are two main phases to a kitchen remodel: design and construction. The design phase largely depends on the homeowner, and his or her ability to make decisions and stick with them. Given that a new kitchen is a major investment, you're entitled to take your time choosing colors, finishes and features. Just remember that products can't be ordered until you've made your final decisions.
Some custom products and materials may require lead times of up to nine months. Custom cabinets typically arrive in 12 to 16 weeks; semi-custom in eight to 10 weeks; and stock in four weeks or less.
Once the products do arrive, expect construction to take anywhere from two to 16 weeks, depending on how ambitious your project is and on how many setbacks you encounter.
