Consider this: You’ve finally chosen to transform your kitchen into the kitchen of your dreams. You know precisely how much money you have and assume that budgeting should be straightforward. However, estimating the cost of your redesign becomes more complex than you anticipated, and unforeseen charges begin to appear during the remodeling process, leaving you frustrated.
This is a common scenario for homeowners who engage in a kitchen remodeling project. They set a total budget at the beginning, but as they progressed, drastically miscalculated the expense. Even homeowners who strive to make a budget sometimes overestimate and disregard specific aspects of the renovation, leaving them buried in extra fees and completely overwhelmed by the charges.
The good news is that there are ways to avoid stress and uncertainty while also being so well prepared that even unexpected situations won’t catch you off guard. Because upgrading your kitchen is frequently a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it’s critical to make the process as successful and enjoyable as possible.
This guide will help you accomplish this. By addressing everything from overall expenses and budgeting ideas to frequent hidden fees, we strive to make the process of bringing your ideal kitchen to reality as fast, straightforward, and pleasurable as possible.
How Much Does Kitchen Renovation Cost?
The first problem homeowners ask before conducting a remodeling project is ‘how much will it cost?’ Unfortunately, the key is more complicated than a simple number. A simple overall cost estimate, on the other hand, is always a good surface for you to lay the basis of your budget.
First, divide the total cost by the measurements of the kitchen getting renovated.
- 70 square feet or less for a small kitchen
- 70 to 175 square feet for a medium kitchen.
- 175 square feet or more for a large kitchen.
These three components can be also split based on the type of renovations that are happening.
Revitalize
This restoration involves repairing or changing cabinets, installing new kitchen counters, changing equipment, faucets, and worktops, and refinishing the walls.
Period: 2-4 weeks
Remodel
This remodel includes replacing the floors, replacing or reinsulating the sheetrock in the walls, purchasing all new cabinets and devices, and removing soffits.
Period: 4-6 weeks
Full make-over
Modifying the kitchen area, replacing walls, changing the electric, plumbing, or gas lines, gutting the kitchen, and/or building a new kitchen from scratch are all part of this remodel.
Period: 6-8 weeks
How to Make a Budget for a Kitchen Renovation?
Your budget should cover all expenditures related to a kitchen makeover. The trick to developing an accurate budget is to begin with the most important (and costly) parts and work your way down. Cabinets are usually the greatest place to start when remodeling a kitchen since they are the most crucial portion. After that, you may go on to the appliances, countertops, flooring, backsplash, and gadgets. Plumbing, electrical, and gas lines should be treated after appliances during comprehensive makeover upgrades when walls are moved.
When creating a budget, labor is a vital – and sometimes underestimated – expenditure to consider. While some homeowners try to do some portions of installation themselves, it typically backfires and ends up costing more money in the long run. Labor expenditures might vary from 20% to 45% of the entire project cost, depending on the size of the kitchen. The bigger the kitchen, the greater that proportion.
Another point to consider is that materials do matter. If you want to invest in pricey materials, your overall budget must be increased to reflect this. This includes, among other things, cabinets, worktops, flooring, backsplashes, hardware, and faucets.
Take into account that your home’s location might occasionally influence the pricing of materials, labor, and shipping. While the differences are generally modest, they should be considered.
Hidden Costs to Look for
As mentioned, the objective of this article is to assist homeowners in being ready for every cost involved with a kitchen renovation. This involves having a well-planned budget in place to deal with unforeseen costs. The bulk of these hidden expenditures are revealed during bigger renovations that include wall and soffit removal. Plumbing pipes and electric/gas lines installed behind walls are the most prevalent sources of these expenditures. Broken pipes, out-of-date gas lines, or pipes/wires that need to be moved are examples of this. Rotted wall frames, the expense of replacement wall supports, and any other surprises uncovered inside walls, soffits, or anyplace else in the kitchen are also included.
To account for hidden expenditures, professionals recommend adding 20% to your computed total. This avoids expensive surprises from delaying your project.
Money-saving Strategies for Kitchen Renovation
Financial planning is only the first step. To ensure the success of your renovation, you must stick to your budget throughout the course of the project. Everyone wants to save money, but cutting costs at every opportunity is not a good option. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to cut back on your spending or, at the very least, make better use of the money you have.
Here are some pointers on how to spend your money wisely and strategically:
- Purchase high-quality cabinets because they are the foundation of the kitchen and will last for many years.
- Purchase simpler appliances rather than smart appliances. However, don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on high-quality appliances because they need to be replaced less frequently, which can save you money in the end.
- To avoid service charges, buy your materials yourself rather than through your contractor.
- Choose reasonable tile and countertop options. The only thing that differs is the style; the quality remains constant.
- If your countertops are in good condition, utilize them.
- It is more efficient to use a few larger cabinets rather than those smaller ones.
- If your hardware and faucets are in good condition, reuse them.
- Limit the use of crown moldings because they are expensive and serve only to add style rather than function.
- Repurposing cabinets instead of replacing them saves only 5% of the cost and sacrifices the majority of the quality that new cabinets provide, so we encourage against it.
- Invest in high-quality alternatives over trendy ones that may be missing. Keep in mind that the longer it lasts, the more money you will save in the future.
- If possible, avoid spending money on removing walls or moving major appliances. Simply maintaining the original layout of your kitchen can save you a lot of money.
- Avoid extras such as a smart faucet or more complicated designs by sticking to a standard sink.
Avoiding the contractor will save you some money. Unfortunately, it will make your project more difficult, less organized, and, most likely, much longer.
Don’t let a limited budget keep you from designing the kitchen of your dreams. Learning how to organize your spending is a huge step forward; now all that remains is to put it into action. Nothing can stop you if you start your project with a well-thought-out, accurate, and clear budget.
FREE FULL 3D / 2D KITCHEN DESIGN SERVICE
If You Purchase Kitchen Materials with Us
CMO’s professional designers will place together a detailed 3D and 2D model of your future kitchen based on your needs and special requests. Please provide in the “Special Instructions for seller” box your kitchen specifications including the size of your kitchen area and the style(s) you choose from our cabinetry selection. Detailed measurements and pictures will be required by email. This service is fully refundable with any kitchen purchase.
Visit our Construction Material Outlet Showroom at 17081 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or call (239) 244-1354 for a special offer! Delivery is available in Southwest Florida!
