Remodeling your kitchen is a great way to increase property value. If you love cooking, it’s also the time to create that list of upgrades you have been dreaming about. We always recommend starting home improvement projects by designing the budget. So, what are average costs for remodeling a kitchen? This will provide guidelines to follow when creating your own budget. Here are some helpful tips about kitchen remodeling costs.
The Stats
Home Advisor reports the national average for a kitchen remodel between $12,759 and $31,733. The costs in Greater Baltimore fall right in line with the national average, listing averages between $11,125 and $26,606. If that’s way over budget, don’t worry; on the low end, you can work on a basic remodel starting around $5,000. If you’re interested in a premium total remodel, (high-end appliances, stone floors, expansions), expect to spend around $50,000. For the purposes of keeping it simple, let’s just call the average about $20,000. But a range between $5,000 and $50,000, that’s a big difference; why such a vast difference in price? Kitchen remodels are made up of many smaller projects that in conjunction, transform your kitchen.
Flooring
Let’s start from the bottom up. Whether you plan a budget friendly remodel, or a premium upgrade, updating the floor is a must. The good news is, not all flooring materials cost the same. Research your options and figure out which style and price you are most comfortable with. On average, flooring starts around $500 for economical choices like vinyl. It can be as expensive as $2,000-4,000 for laminate or natural wood, (Home Advisor, ). More precise estimates depend on the square footage of your floor. When budgeting must haves, start with the important sub-projects like flooring. Want to learn more about kitchen flooring?
Counters
In addition to upgrading the floor, changing the counter tops also makes a noticeable difference. And like the flooring, cost depends on size and material. Counter material options include granite, quartz, copper and caesar stone on the higher end. When investing in these premium counter materials, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. For budget-friendly options, consider ceramic or stone tile and plastic laminate. For these materials, expect to pay $8-$30 per square foot.
Appliances
What’s an upgrade without new and improved appliances? The holy trinity of kitchen appliances include the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher. We recommend scheduling your kitchen remodel around the low season for appliance sales so that you can benefit from the savings. Remodel your kitchen in the winter, and rack up on savings! Stainless steel appliances enhance any kitchen with elevated charm. However, if they don’t’ make the cut based on their expensive cost, consider black appliances. They are more affordable and offer a new sleek look when coordinated correctly.
Labor
With all of the big budget remodeling components mentioned above, we finish with the labor. Bargain shopping for appliances and materials is like second nature for today’s professional consumer. However, bargaining for labor is much more challenging. After all, you want a quality job. Here are a few tips on kitchen remodeling labor costs. Most contractors calculate estimates based on three major factors: size, difficulty, amount of time. Let’s review these. It’s a given that the bigger the kitchen, the more expensive the project will be for laborers. This coincides with the next metric of difficulty. Basic remodels with moderate updates will cost less than a remodel requiring wall removal, building, and complete gutting and replacement of fixtures. The contractor will also calculate man (or woman) hours. Pricing is largely based on the length of time it takes to complete your project. More hours equals higher labor costs. For inspiration on remodeling a small kitchen, check out our blog!
References
Brenner, Vanessa. “Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Counter Top Materials.” Houzz, www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7779702/list/your-guide-to-15-popular-kitchen-countertop-materials. Accessed November 8 2016. “How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen.” Home Advisor, www.homeadvisor.com/cost/kitchens/remodel-a-kitchen/. AccessedNovember 8 2016.
