How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

A kitchen remodeling project is going to cost at least $12,000.

If you're considering remodeling your kitchen, you've probably searched online looking for how much it will cost, and chances are you haven't been able find a definitive answer. The dollar amounts on this page should give you a good idea of how much a kitchen renovation will cost, but because of the unlimited variables encountered with this type of home improvement project, an exact figure is impossible to display.

Consider the Variables

There's no room in your house with more details per square foot than the kitchen. You've got cabinetry, backsplashes, fixtures, appliances, and countertops all within a relatively small space. Typically, every aspect of the kitchen is involved with the makeover, which makes it challenging to come up with any hard numbers until you spend a fair amount of time going over your lists, from the absolute non-negotiables to the "shoot for the moon" ideas.

It's difficult to put a hard number on a kitchen remodel with so many variables in play, but at a bare-bones kitchen project — new countertops, backsplash, and updated cabinets and hardware is going to cost in the range of $12,000 - $15,000.

A full-scale remodel, with top-of-the-line appliances, a new footprint, and designer grade custom finishes could run you upwards of $60,000. Of course, it's important to recognize the overall value of your home before you invest too much into your new kitchen. Your upgrades should be proportionate to the neighborhood and your home value.

The key question to ask yourself is not "how much will it cost", but "what do I want to gain from a kitchen remodel?" Once you've figured out what your goal is, it's a lot easier to set the budget and focus on spending where you'll see the biggest benefit for yourself and your family. It's hard to go wrong with a good kitchen renovation from a resale standpoint, that's the one room where you'll see the best return on your investment.

Cabinets

Start your planning with cabinets, since that's where you can spend a little or a lot.

You can spend a lesser amount repainting or refacing them, or several thousand dollars for custom work. The one constant factor in pricing cabinets is that they are priced per linear foot. Lower-end options, referred to as "stock" because they are pre-made and readily available. These cost from $60-$200 per foot. Semi-custom cabinets offer more of everything — colors, materials, doors, decorative accents, and interior storage cubbies. The cabinets are mass-produced, and you choose the finishes. Delivery time is a few weeks to a few months. Semi-custom runs $100-$700 per foot and is typically the best option for some bells and whistles on a budget.

Custom cabinets let you choose your materials and finishes, and then they are made by hand to your specifications. Hardwoods are used in custom cabinetry, and homeowners who take this splurge opt for higher-end hardware, interior gadgets, and glass for the doors. Expect to pay $500-$1200 per foot for custom cabinets. Custom cabinets take several months to complete, depending on the carpenter's schedule and the scope of work.

Countertops

Wood — butcher block — is gaining in popularity, as is concrete. Quartzite, which is similar to quartz, but natural-which means more variation and more expense- is a beautiful addition to a new kitchen. Granite is still a reasonably priced option available in many colors and styles. Now the only decision you have to make is the profile. Most homeowners are selecting the flat edge, as it lends itself to any style home, from contemporary to farmhouse.

Backsplash and Sink

The backsplash is there to protect your walls — specifically, grease from the stove and water from the sink. Modern kitchen design turns the backsplash into an accent wall, and designers are using all kinds of materials, from subway tiles to custom printed single glass panels. The most straightforward backsplash is a continuation of the countertops up the entire wall beneath the cabinets. This lends itself to a clean, contemporary look. It's also great in a small kitchen where you don't want to have too many competing factors.

You can't redo your kitchen without a new sink, even if you're keeping your old appliances. Farmhouse sinks — a large single bowl with an apron in the front — are an option to add interest. These can be incorporated into several different design styles as they now are available in variety of materials. Undermount sinks are a huge advantage over the older inset models; they're easier to keep clean and give you a sleeker look along the countertop. Sinks can be like cabinets in that the range of options is so big — a basic stainless undermount basin is a couple of hundred dollars; a copper farmhouse sink is several thousand.

Bells and Whistles

This is where the fun starts. A complete remodel usually involves adding personal touches to your kitchen. The versatility of a large center island has this added feature on the top of everyone's wish list. This modification allows a continuous work space, welcoming gathering spot and spacious entertainment hub. Changing the footprint of the kitchen turns your renovation into a construction project, and your kitchen designer will work with her contractors to effect those changes. Any time you tweak the layout you've got to deal with mechanicals — water, gas, and electricity — and that does run into more labor and materials costs. Ballparking those costs are a challenge until you know the scope of work.

Project Management

If your plans are for a completely over the top kitchen, one that's starting with a total demolition of your existing space, an experienced design expert is a necessity. You need someone who knows understands the intricacies of design as well as construction. After you remodel your kitchen, it's important that it flows smoothly into the rest of your home, and the new complements the old. A contractor can build what you want, but it's only when you work with an experienced interior designer that you get the polished perfection you expect.