A kitchen remodel costs $150 per square foot on average. But. quite a few homeowners can manage to bring that down to about $75 per square foot. The final cost depends on the kitchen size, the chosen materials, and the type and extent of structural changes, if any.
A complete kitchen remodel can set you back by about $20,000 or more. However, some people choose to do small improvement projects such as replacing kitchen countertops, sink, and backsplashes, keeping their costs down to about $5,000 to $10,000.
Some people might consider this a lot of money, and it is if you do not make the most of your investment. Kitchen remodeling is a complicated process, so you will want to know as much about what adds to your costs as possible. Breaking down the costs of kitchen remodeling can help you make smart decisions to keep them down, or to get the most returns.
Practical considerations
Unless you definitely want to lavish money on your kitchen for your own pleasure, you need to consider the value added to your home when you remodel your kitchen. In general, you want to spend a maximum of 15% of the home?s market value. For example, if your home is worth $200,000 in the real estate market, you should not spend more than $30,000 to remodel your kitchen.
If ready cash is also a consideration, you might want to keep the cost as low as possible. You can do this by deciding on what aspects of your kitchen needs the most work. For example, if you definitely have a problem with the existing layout, you can afford the structural changes by keeping your existing cabinets and appliances. Your remodeling company will advise you one what you can keep and what you need to replace. You can also choose to do a series of remodeling projects instead of doing it in one fell swoop to keep on top of your finances.
Percentages
The average cost for a complete major remodel is about $23,500, and includes the material and labor costs. Typically, the cost percentages look a bit like the following breakdown:
- Appliances and HVAC system – 14% (from $3,290)
- Cabinets – 29% ($6,815)
- Countertops – 10% ($2,350)
- Design – 4% ($940)
- Doors and windows – 4% ($940)
- Floors – 7% ($1,645)
- Labor – 17% ($3,995)
- Lighting – 5% (from $1,175)
- Miscellaneous – 1% – (from $235)
- Plumbing and faucets – 4% (from $940)
- Walls and ceilings – 5% (from $1,175)
Design
The cost range per hour of a professional interior designer is from $100 to $200, more if the designer works onsite and has certification. If you work fast, you can get a good kitchen design for as little as $500. Of course, it is never a good idea to rush the design, as this is the basis for the final look of your kitchen. You need to take your time, and work with a designer that understands your needs and style.
One option is to work with a remodeling company such as Mimosa Kitchen and Bath, which offers in-home design consultation and services free of charge. You save some money in your pocket for other things you might want to do for your kitchen. Having the same company make the design and carry it out is also more efficient.
Labor
Kitchen remodeling is not a DIY project. You want licensed professionals to work on your kitchen to avoid problems in the future. You can expect to pay between $3,500 and $6,000 in labor costs, provided you can find professionals that charge reasonable rates and can work together on your project.
One option is to find a contractor that will manage the project for you, and get together the professionals necessary for the job. Most remodeling companies have a team of skilled laborers with whom they work regularly. So, you can also look for a local company specializing in kitchen remodeling to keep your labor costs as low as possible.
Size
The total cost of your kitchen will depends on multiple factors, including the area of your kitchen. Industry standards classify a kitchen less than 70 square meters as small, and the cost can be as little as $5.000. Completely remodeling a large kitchen, which is more than 200 square feet, will cost upwards of $30,000.
Cabinets
As you might have noticed, replacing kitchen cabinets cost the most among the other elements in kitchen remodeling at 29% of your budget. While you can certainly cut costs by refacing or refinishing your existing cabinets. This is not an option if your cabinets are no longer structurally sound.
Your best bet is to choose RTA cabinets instead of custom cabinets. RTA cabinets typically cost between $175 and $400 per linear foot. Custom cabinets start at $500 per linear foot.
Conclusion
Breaking down the costs of kitchen remodeling can help you make smart decisions to make the most of your investment. In most cases, you will find that engaging the services of a reliable remodeling company can save you a lot of time, money, and effort.
Mimosa Kitchen and Bath can help you make the most of your remodeling budget if you are located in DC metro area, Columbia, Rockville, Bethesda, Jessup, Chevy Chase and surrounding areas.
At Mimosa Kitchen and Bath, we sell high-quality products manufactured by leading brands in the industry and expert remodeling services. When you purchase your products from us, we guarantee speedy delivery compared to ordering from big box stores. We will also customize the product according to your specifications and install it into your kitchen quickly and with excellent artisanship.
We sell a host of products, including but not limited to cabinets, flooring, faucets and sinks, and vanities. Some of the brands we carry include Zodiaq, Fabuwood, Forevermark Cabinetry, Caesarstone, MSI, Kitchenmaid, Wolf Cabinets, Cambria and Hardware Resources. You can visit our showroom in Ellicott City, Maryland to see the many products and stone slabs we have available. This includes marble, granite and engineered quartz.
All of our products come backed with brand warranties. Contact us today to get a free quote for your kitchen remodeling!