You’ve bought your dream home, and now are ready for your dream kitchen…but how much is it going to cost? Although we hear this question all the time, it's the most difficult to answer because there are so many variables to consider. Although it may be tough to determing an exact figure, it is possible to estimate and control your spending range. A rule of thumb is to not let your kitchen remodeling budget exceed 10-15% of your homes fair market value.
Rather than looking at one big number, try to focus on estimating smaller chunks of the project. Approximate amounts for alliances, counter tops, labor etc…based on your layout.
To establish a budget, you should first consider the extent of the project. Some factors to consider are:
How long do you plan to stay in your home?
What is the value of your home?
Is it necessary to make architectural changes (doors, windows, walls)?
Do you need to make electrical and plumbing changes?
The answers to these questions should direct you and help establish a working budget.
Cabinetry:
Ther are wide selections of door styles, finishes, storage options and decorative enhancements that all you to personalize your space to reflect your own style and function for the way your family lives. There are so many variables to consider such as:
Wood species
Finish
Storage Solutions
Moldings
However, on average, White/Ivory Laminate, Oak and Maple species are average in pricing while Birch, Hickory and Cherry, tend to run into the higher price point.
Countertops:
When choosing countertops, there are many options to choose from and many price ranges. The most popular options are:
- Granite (starting at $60/sq. ft and up)
- Solid Surface (Corian - starting at $60/sq. ft and up)
- Engineered Stone (Silestone, Zodiaq; starting at $60 and up/sq. ft)
Other options are available including ceramic tile ($45-70/sq. ft); wood butcher block (starting at about $70/sq. ft.) and concrete (starting at about $80/sq. ft.)
When talking to your designer, be sure to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each countertop material. For instance with concrete, you can choose just about any color you want and materials can be set into the surface (seashells, glass, stones, metal designs, etc…). However, because concrete is porous, you must maintain them through sealing for maximum stain resistance.
Work with the pros:
There’s nothing wrong with a little DIY, but when it comes to the heavy lifting, particularly electrical and plumbing, you should leave that to the pros.
You kitchen designer can help with referrals to qualified experts. Professionals are also likely to have helful suggestions based on previous expeiences and can give you a better sense of cost and can watch our for potential obstacles that you may not have noticed. This kind of foresight will help your project stay on time and your budget stay on track.
Keeping Track:
Keep a list of all purchases. Include the name of the company where you purchased the product, telephone number and delivery date. This will give you an easy reference all in one place!
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