How Much Does It Cost To Remodel Your Kitchen?

Average Cost of Remodeling Your Kitchen

On average, a kitchen remodel can cost anywhere between $75 to $300 per square foot, with the average total cost around $30,000. One of the primary factors that plays into prices is your home’s location, as the cost of living can vary greatly from region to region. For example, the cost of an average kitchen remodel in Los Angeles, CA ranges from $35,000 to $80,000, while in Minneapolis it can range from $12,000 to $50,000. As a general rule of thumb, using a 10×10 square foot kitchen to calculate costs is useful, particularly if you don’t know your exact kitchen measurements. A 10×10 kitchen also tends to be a standard unit of measurement used by professionals.

The specifics of a remodel will also greatly influence price, from everything to the size of your kitchen, to the finishes you choose, to whether you need to remove walls or install plumbing and electrical. Read on to learn more about the different factors that will influence the cost of remodeling a kitchen. 

Factors That Influence Kitchen Remodeling Costs 

Kitchen Size

The first factor to take into consideration is the size of your kitchen. In general, the larger your kitchen is, the more costly your remodel will be. 

  • < 60 sq ft: Tiny kitchens or kitchenettes usually are the cheapest, as they often use mini appliances, less cabinetry, and countertops.
  • 60 – 90 sq ft: A small kitchen, such as a galley kitchen, will usually have a full-size but small refrigerator, a microwave, and a kitchen range with four burners. Small kitchens generally optimize space like upper walls and corners, and can comfortably fit one person cooking.
  • 90 – 120 sq ft: A medium-sized kitchen can often accommodate add-ons like an island and can easily fit a standard-sized refrigerator, range, microwave, and dishwasher.
  • 120 – 200 sq ft: A large kitchen can easily accommodate an island or a pantry, and possibly a smaller dining space. A large kitchen generally features large appliances like refrigerators, four to six burners, a microwave, and possibly even a separate oven.
  • 200+ sq ft: An extra large kitchen features all of the above and generally has a breakfast nook or other dedicated eat-in space. Extra large kitchens can also have more than one dishwasher and/or oven, and a wine refrigerator.    

Appliances

If you are going to purchase new appliances, you will need to factor that into your kitchen remodel cost. Here are some averages prices:

  • Refrigerator: $1,000 – $2,00
  • Microwave: $300
  • Dishwasher: $800
  • Wine refrigerator: $1,000
  • Stove/Oven/Range: $1,500 – $2,000


Cabinets


The cost of cabinets can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors:

  • Materials
    • Stock cabinets tend to be the most affordable and range from $100 – $400 per linear foot with installation or $50 – $100 with cabinets alone.
    • Semi-custom cabinets range from $150 – $650 per linear foot with installation and $75 – $400 without installation. They give you the ability to customize details like finish and hardware.
    • Custom cabinets are the most expensive at $500 – $1,200 per linear foot with installation or $300 – $750 per linear foot without installation. They can be fully customized to your liking and can require a longer wait time, so be sure to factor that into your timeline.
  • Color
    • On average, it costs about $4 – $10 per square foot to paint kitchen cabinets. Sometimes it can be more cost-effective to paint your cabinets as opposed to replacing them if the originals are in good condition.
  • Under-lighting
    • The cost of lighting underneath the cabinets can range from $25 to $100 per fixture, not including installation. 

Countertops

Countertops can vary in price depending on the material choice, from more affordable to more luxurious. The most common ones and their costs are:

measuring kitchen countertop

  • Laminate: $15-$40 per sq ft
  • Quartz: $55-$155 per sq ft
  • Granite: $45-$200 per sq ft
  • Wood: $55-$200 per sq ft
  • Marble: $75-$250 per sq ft

 

Floors

A kitchen remodel is an ideal time to replace your kitchen floors, since you’ll likely be demolishing other parts of your kitchen. As with most remodels, the cost of replacing your kitchen flooring depends greatly on the material used. When picking a flooring material, it’s important to consider durability, as kitchen floors are high-traffic areas that need to withstand lots of wear and tear (who hasn’t dropped utensils or hot food on the floor?). Kitchen floors are also at high risk for moisture or water damage, which can be incredibly costly. It’s best to factor in these variables as you’re deciding on new flooring.

  • Tile: Tile is a popular and timeless choice that also offers durability. It’s able to protect against wear and tear from water and staining. It’s important to keep in mind that tile can break if a heavy object falls on it, so you might consider adding kitchen floor mats under areas like the sink and stove. Another important consideration is that you should re-apply a sealant every five years or so. 
    • Tile flooring costs can range anywhere from $3 to $20 per square foot.
  • Laminate: Laminate flooring offers the look of hardwood with added durability benefits like water resistance and even waterproofing (more recently). One of the benefits of laminates is that they offer ease of installation, whether clicked together or glued down. 
    • Laminate flooring costs between $2 and $11 per square foot. 
  • Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is perhaps the most durable option on the market for kitchen floors. First, vinyl flooring is waterproof, which makes it a great choice for not only kitchens but bathrooms and basements as well. Another benefit to vinyl is that it doesn’t scratch or break easily. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of looks like wood, tile, stone, and even concrete. 
    • Vinyl generally costs between $2 and $6 per square foot, making it one of the most affordable flooring options out there. 
          
  • Hardwood: Hardwood floors have been a popular choice for ages, as they add warmth and style, and can look very luxurious. An important point to keep in mind is that hardwood is not waterproof, but can be water resistant when properly finished. 
    • Hardwood floors can range between $6 to $12 per square foot

Layout

  • Removing walls: This can drive up the cost considerably, particularly if the walls are load-bearing. In that case, you would likely require a structural engineer, which can add an average cost of $750 to your project.
  • Island: The average cost for an island is around $5,000, and if you’re adding plumbing, make sure to budget between $50 – $200 per hour. 

Labor

The cost of labor for an average-sized kitchen remodel is generally between $2,500 to $5,000. When looking for a contractor for your kitchen remodel, make sure they are licensed and come with excellent recommendations or reviews. If you want to hire a designer, that can cost an additional $50 to $300 per hour. 

Is Remodeling Right for You?


To find out if remodeling is right for you, you’ll want to consider a few factors. First, you might need more storage space or general kitchen space. Second, your kitchen might be outdated and in need of new floors, tiles, appliances, or countertops. Third, if you’re looking to increase the value of your home, a kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to do it. In general, you can recuperate between 50% – 60% in home value for your kitchen remodel. 

Partial Remodel or Renovation

A partial kitchen remodel usually includes cabinet replacement in the same size and configuration as your current kitchen cabinets. You can also replace your countertops, sink, faucet, and appliances if desired. Additionally, you may take advantage of the renovation and replace floors and backsplash as well. Keep in mind that you will not have access to your kitchen for the duration of the remodel, so be sure to plan accordingly. 

Complete remodel

A complete remodel is more costly and time-consuming but will also give you the most dramatic results. If you’re unhappy with the layout of your kitchen or desire a full overhaul of an outdated kitchen (including gas, electrical, and plumbing), you might consider a complete remodel. You should also be aware that you might need to move out of your home during the remodel. 

How to save money on a kitchen remodel

If you’re looking to save money on a kitchen remodel, you can start by repurposing as much of your current materials as possible. If your cabinets are in good condition, you can save a lot of money by repainting them. Cheap fixes like changing the hardware can go a long way to making a kitchen look fresh and luxe. 

You can also save money by choosing more affordable materials, like quartz or granite for countertops and tile or vinyl for floors. You might also consider repainting your countertops to give them a fresh look. Finally, if your appliances are in good working condition and standard size, consider replacing them later down the line (so long as your dimensions will stay the same).

If you’re interested in remodeling your kitchen, cost is perhaps the most important consideration, which can vary greatly depending on your needs, preferences, and timeline. 

 

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