The Costliest Line Items in a Kitchen Remodel

Preparing the budget is one of the most challenging parts of planning a kitchen remodel. With so many variables to consider, knowing the cost of most line items can be helpful in keeping the budget on track. In today’s post, the kitchen remodelers at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Schaumburg discuss the top items that affect kitchen remodeling costs.

Kitchen Remodeling Rules of Thumb

One of the things you should remember when planning your kitchen remodel is that it is possible to over-improve your home. This happens when you spend too much on one or more changes that ultimately result in the remodeling cost exceeding your home’s value, which can result in minimal to no return on investment. The following are some rules of thumb you should keep in mind.

Basic renovation — Basic renovations typically cost about 10% of your home’s value. As the name implies, this type of renovation covers basic but quality improvements such as a laminate countertop and stock cabinets.
Middle-tier renovations — A middle-tier kitchen renovation would fall within the 15% value range. One might consider upgrades such as quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and partial customization on the cabinetry.
Premium-tier renovations — Premium-tier renovations should cost up to 20% of your home’s value. This may include top-of-the-line appliances, marble countertops and fully customized cabinets. It’s important to note that if your kitchen remodeling budget exceeds 20% of your home’s value, you are risking over-improving your home.

Cost Breakdown

Following are some of the top line items that tend to make up a typical kitchen remodeling budget.

Cabinets — Cabinetry is an important part of every kitchen and always figures into the remodeling cost, whether you’re planning a basic or a premium-tier remodel. If you are planning on getting entirely new cabinets, it can take up 20-40% of your budget. Your remodeling contractor may suggest refacing the cabinetry. This means only the cabinet doors and hardware will be replaced. This is a good option if the cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you want to keep the layout as-is.
Countertops — If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you need countertops that will withstand daily use and require little maintenance while looking good for years. Countertops typically take about 10-30% of the remodeling budget.
Appliances — When choosing your kitchen appliances, always start with the ones that you use daily: cooktop, oven, dishwasher and refrigerator. From there, consider whether you need additional features like a brick oven or a separate meat chiller. Upgrades will usually require additional electrical work. Appliances may take up 10-20% of your remodeling budget.
Plumbing & fixtures — Plumbing work can also figure into the budget, especially if new plumbing needs to be installed. All things considered, plumbing and fixtures should take up to 5% of your budget.

Let’s Start a Conversation!

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen offers a wide range of professional remodeling services, including kitchen remodeling. To get started with a no-obligation consultation, call us at (847) 973-5097 or contact us online. Check out our website for updates related to COVID-19 or to learn more about the DreamMaker Virtual Modified Process. We serve homeowners in Schaumburg, IL, as well as the surrounding communities including Palatine and Hoffman Estates.