A kitchen renovation is one of the most popular home remodeling projects out there. Remodeling your kitchen enhances the utility of your kitchen and typically boosts the resale value of your entire house. The cost of remodeling a kitchen, however, can sometimes be expensive, so it’s always a good idea to chart out your costs before you start renovating.
A full kitchen remodel for a modestly sized home can cost anywhere between $45,000 and $120,000 depending on size, location and the type of home that's being renovated. Here, we give you a comprehensive breakdown of this total figure.
Labor and Contractor Fees
Generally, laborers and contractors charge between $25,000 to $60,000 for completely remodeling an average-sized kitchen. You may also want an interior designer to help decide on the look and feel of your new kitchen. A designer can charge anywhere between $65-$250 per hour for a project.
A good benchmark to keep in mind is that kitchens often come close to a 50/50 split in cost between labor and materials.
New Appliance Costs
New appliances are a crucial component of any modern kitchen. Refrigerators can cost anywhere between $500 (for basic models) to around $50,000 (for high-end designer pieces). For an average kitchen that is being renovated under a budget of $45,000, typically $5,000 to $10,000 is spent on kitchen appliances.
Backsplashes and Lighting
On average, installing a new backsplash and updating your lighting costs $1,500 for a kitchen with a floor area up to 120 square feet. High-end upgrades can cost upwards of $2,500. Lighting fixtures can range from $50 (for off-the-shelf options) to $2,000 (for designer pieces). Lighting highlights, such as an under-cabinet lighting system, typically start at around $2,000. Of course, if making these changes means changing your lighting layout or add new lighting options expect to incur some additional electrical costs to achieve your desired setup.
Cost to Install Cabinetry and Countertops
On average, kitchen cabinets for an average-sized kitchen cost around $25,000. The expense, however, can vary greatly depending on the quality and finish being used. Similarly, countertop prices tend to depend on the type of material required. Caesarstone counters cost start at around $500 for an average kitchen, and go up from there depending on the number of linear feet required. On average, a sum of $3,000 to $5,500 should be allocated for countertops.
Flooring Costs
An average kitchen flooring tiling job costs around $20-$30 per square foot. This, too, can go up to as much as $50 if you choose high-end materials. To start, it costs around $3,500 to refloor a kitchen that is being renovated at a budget of $45,000.
Plumbing and Electrical
Plumbing costs vary depending on the type of work that is being done. This is because different categories of plumbing renovations require different legal permits (this also varies by location). These permits can cost anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 per permit. Other costs, such as base materials or additional fixtures, can total up to around $3,500.
On average, new wiring materials for a kitchen remodel cost around $454 for an average-sized kitchen. With labor, the complete rewiring costs can cost approximately $1,854.
Paint and Fixtures
A proper full paint job for an average kitchen starts at roughly $3,000, including labor and materials. While some homeowners opt to DIY their paint job in an attempt to save on labor costs, there's no replacement of a proper level 4 finish. This professional process includes skim coating, caulking and touch ups of the ceiling, walls and corners, all done by an expert hand.
Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Scope
Another great way to estimate the cost of a kitchen remodel is by focusing on the extent of remodeling. Minor remodels typically include cabinet additions or replacements, upgrading appliances, new countertops and flooring. On average, minor kitchen remodeling costs around $24,000.
Midrange remodels involve replacing key fixtures and introducing a few extra aesthetic touches such as semi-custom cabinetry. Countertops, electronic appliances, lighting, flooring, and walls are also overhauled. The average cost for midrange remodels is $69,000.
Major remodels generally cater to a complete renovation of the kitchen by introducing luxury items, altering the kitchen’s existing footprint and reconfiguring or relocating certain appliances. Costing around $136,000, major remodels typically involve custom cabinetry with interior accessories, high-quality countertops and backsplashes, hi-tech appliances, designer faucets, water filtration systems, new lighting, and quality flooring.
Remodeling your kitchen can be a daunting task, and we encourage seeking professional help while renovating your kitchen. A professional will give you a better overview of your needs and the cost.
