Short answer? As much (or as little) as you want it to.
Calculating the cost of updating a kitchen can seem daunting, especially since every site seems to have a different answer. However, we’re here to help break down costs and what to expect. We cannot give you a definitive number for how much your kitchen remodel will cost (yet), but we can help give you an idea what you can do with the budget you have in mind.
Breaking Down the Costs by Feature
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends the following breakdown of costs:
- Cabinets - 29%
- Installation - 17%
- Appliances and Ventilation - 14%
- Countertops - 10%
- Flooring - 7%
- Lighting - 5%
- Walls and Ceilings - 5%
- Doors and Windows - 4%
- Faucets and Plumbing - 4%
- Other/Miscellaneous - 1%
- Design - 4%
While this isn’t a one-size-fits-all breakdown, it will give you a good idea of how to prioritize your budget.
The good news is that, if you read some of those and thought “I don’t need that”, then you can either cut those items from your budget or roll that into one of the other categories that you may want to invest more in (or better yet, a buffer in case any surprise costs come up). We went ahead and took the “Designer” fee and rolled it into “Other” because we deduct our designer fee from the cost of your products when you purchase through Vevano Home.
Breaking Down Costs by Type of Remodel
Low-Cost Remodel: $100+ per square foot
A low-cost remodel can cost as little as a few thousand dollars, especially if you’re looking to update features rather than completely replace them. Painting walls and cabinet refacing (instead of replacement) combined with new appliances, a backsplash, faucets, sinks, and lighting can add a newer look to your kitchen without demolition or high costs. Even something as simple as installing cabinet pull-outs and accessories can go a long way in decluttering and transforming your kitchen (these cabinet organization ideas and upgrades can get you started).
Mid-Cost Remodel: $200+ per square foot
With a mid-cost remodel, you may want to replace some features of your kitchen while keeping others. Bigger updates mean bigger returns on your investment, changing your kitchen more to what you need it to be. New kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplashes, appliances and more are a part of this update, truly transforming your kitchen compared to a low-cost remodel. Keep in mind that, at its most affordable, the cost of kitchen cabinets runs about $100 to $300 per linear square foot, though custom cabinets can cost $500 to $1200 per linear square foot. The cost to replace kitchen floor varies depending on the type of new flooring, but to replace flooring for an average 200 square foot kitchen, you can expect to spend $1000 to $2500 (or $4000 if it's hardwood kitchen cabinets), which includes installation costs.
High-End Remodel: $300+ per square foot
With a high-end remodel, this tends to go beyond just replacing fixtures. This could include custom cabinets, redesigning the entire kitchen layout, custom appliances, selecting high-end cabinet materials, or taking out walls to expand your kitchen area.
Conclusion
Now you know what types of remodels there are and a general idea of what each entail. Though the initial price tag and scope of the project might seem daunting, just remember that kitchen remodels add significant value to your home and have one of the highest return on investments than any other home remodel. Plus, you don't need to remodel your home alone! The nice thing about any of the above remodels is that, no matter your budget, you can use one of our virtual designers. You can find out more about a custom quote for your kitchen remodel by contacting our designers.