The average cost of kitchen remodeling for American households is currently at $22,134, according to Homeowners and could go all the way up to $50,000. Small projects or remodeling jobs with small kitchens may cost as low as $10,000 that could include painting, replacing the sink, installing a tile backsplash and changing the facade of the cabinet.

Starting in February and March 2019, homeowners will be busy closing deals to renovate their homes. If you’re one of them and wondering how much you’re likely going to spend for the job in 2019, this is your complete guide.

How Much Does It Cost To Remodel a Kitchen?

The average cost of kitchen remodeling for your average-sized kitchen will be over $20,000  The final cost will depend on the size of your kitchen as well as how luxurious cabinets or appliances you want to install. A major kitchen renovation may cost you anywhere between $40,000 to $70,000.

Admit it. Every time you watch Gordon Ramsay, Paula Deen, Rachael Ray and Tom Colicchio whip up delicious food on YouTube, you pay as much attention to the color of the kitchen cabinet and its simple-yet-aesthetic appeal as to the amount of salt that is added. But the task of remodeling your kitchen remains a mere footnote in the long list of things you need to do. Worry not. Here’s your step-by-step guide to what you need to spend on, how much to spend on it, and how you can cut costs without lowering the quality of your remodeled kitchen.

1) Make a budget. And stick to it

Americans spend an average of $21,000 on kitchen remodeling as per Improvenet, but of course, you can always spend a lot less by carefully aligning your needs with your budget. Make a list of items that are absolutely must-haves, and ensure that their costs are covered first and foremost.

— Are you planning to change your countertops or your kitchen flooring?

— Is it absolutely essential to replace your refrigerator or is it more important to fix the electrical issues in the kitchen?

— Do you need a new sink, or do you have to replace the entire drainage system?

— Do you need new cookware?

Remember, retaining the old style of the kitchen layout will go a long way in keeping your costs low. Of course, the more you add to the list of must-haves, the higher the budget will be; so keep that in mind. And if your list gets longer by the minute, then sit back and review. After all, you wouldn’t appreciate the new-look kitchen if it makes a severe dent in your finances. For example, a small kitchen can be renovated for as less as $10,000.

kitchen update costs


2) Can you DIY? If not, can you help?

Labor costs, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, can range between 20%-35% of the total budget. But of course, this will come down if you decide to take matters into your hands, or at least help with the daily work. YouTube, for example, is full of videos that show you how to replace your kitchen cabinets, how to redo the countertops, how to select the right refrigerator for your house and how to pick the right colors for a new paint job.

Not only will going DIY cut costs, there is always a touch of personalization that can be added. And the next time someone appreciates the color of your cabinets, you can always say “I did that!” But if you are someone who believes in the ‘leave it to the professionals’, there are more than enough people who can help. Find them as per your location here. Needless to say, hire only those contractors who are licensed, insured and ready to provide you with references. According to a recent survey, 88 percent of those who decided to renovate their kitchens hire at least one contractor. 

3) Are kitchen remodeling costs worth it?

Your long-term plans play a significant role in deciding whether or not you need a kitchen remodeling. Even if you are not planning to live in your house for a long time, remodeling the kitchen could tremendously add market value to the home if you plan to sell it.

Then make sure that your investments in kitchen remodeling are focused completely on building an updated infrastructure. Ensure that the electricals are up to date, the flooring is compact and the cabinets are not falling off their hinges. Electrical equipment, on the other hand, like say, refrigerators, ovens, stoves can always be refurbished instead of replaced.

On the other hand, if you plan to stay in the house on a long-term basis, you can even opt for a ‘One issue at a time’ approach and replace all the things necessary over a longer period of time. This will ensure that your budget is spent more evenly and you do not have to worry about escalating costs. One downside of this approach is that you may lose the consistency of the kitchen design if you do it over a longer period of time.

And remember, the kitchen is a part of the house, so the renovation should be in tune with the rest of the house. This is especially important if you plan to sell the house. An average-looking kitchen in an upmarket house will bring down its price. Do not over-do, but definitely, do not under-do the renovation. Kitchen remodeling is the most efficient way to increase the value of a home. Roughly $15,000-worth kitchen remodel has a return of 92.9 percent resale value.

kitchen remodeling home improvement payoff

4) Living in house during kitchen remodeling

No one likes to be sipping coffee while a professional cuts through wood with his electric ax, and there is nothing more irritating than waking up in the morning to the sound of tiles being trimmed as per the need. If you plan to live somewhere else, factor the costs accordingly in your budget.

If this seems expensive, maybe you can get the people to work at times when you are not at home. If you must move, how about calling old friends you haven’t met in a long time and visiting them? Make it sound like you missed them, and bunk on their couch if needed. This might sound a little cheap, and it sure is. It is cheaper than staying in a motel, for example. And if you save some money, invite them over for a good meal in your ‘new’ kitchen.

5) Personal financing your kitchen renovation 

Budgeting is only half the job done; you need to ensure that you finance it well. And unless you have a kind granny who is ready to lend you her entire savings, it is much better to focus on HOW you want to pay before HOW MUCH you want to pay. Due to their tax-deductible components, home equity loans are the most favored options, along with refinancing, taking out a personal loan or taking a loan against a retirement plan. The Smart Alec around you will suggest paying for all of it with cash in hand instead of borrowing money. But think about it: would you rather borrow money at a low rate of interest or withdraw money from an account that is currently earning a high rate of return?

Maybe you would like to take a home improvement loan? Well, here are your options. Choose wisely, because how you pay for the renovation is as important as how much you pay for it. Also, in case you wish to get a loan, make sure you do this before the renovation works begin. It is unlikely that the contractors will not take money up front for the materials they buy, so it is best to avoid any last-minute issues.

Ask your remodeler or contractor if there is a bank they are working with. Usually, kitchen remodeling contractors have a deal with a certain bank on refinancing your kitchen remodeling costs.

Source: Gobanking

6) Be smart with whatever you discard

Renovation means you will be left with a lot of things that need to be discarded. Or do they? You can simply take pictures of your old but usable equipment like refrigerators, ovens, gas stoves, chimneys and upload them on Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace. It wouldn’t hurt if the cost of new cabinet set is partly paid by an old oven, right?

Instead of throwing out your old equipment, you can’t imagine how many people will line up to buy them. Facebook Marketplace is a great platform for this kind of local sale. No shipping fee, no other requirements. Personal pickup and cash up front.

7) Count for overheads/contingency

Whatever your budget, it would not be a bad idea to factor in an additional 10%-20% for contingency purposes. Labor delays, factors like bad weather, or simply unavoidable circumstances like medical emergencies (accidents, burns) will push your costs up and you rather be safe than sorry.

Also, this can be seen as an added incentive: if you do manage to keep all expenses within your Budget (congratulations) then you can use the contingency fund to, say, fund one of the wish-list items for your kitchen. Maybe you can have a Japanese knife set you have craved for so long, eh!

8) No ‘afterthoughts’ once you decide

Yes, a custom-built cabinet looks nice. But do you really need it when a standard fit cabinet will do exactly the same for half the price? Do not be tempted by the countless online discounts and clearance sales around you. Once you have decided on what you want (sigh, the limitations!!) at no point should you deter from the list.

Make sure that you have enough time to look for all that you need, and spend a part of your day looking for exactly what you want. Last-minute trips to shops and hardware stores are not really fun, and even less so when you end up spending more than you had bargained for on things that you could have saved upon had you planned earlier.

kitchen remodeling costs