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Kitchen renovation costs and ideas

Renovating your kitchen is usually the most cost effective upgrade you can do to your home. Even in an old house, most people opt to renovate or replace rather than restore - You must include dishwasher and garbage disposal. Remodel your kitchen in a way that is still sensitive to the age of your house. Flip Your House This way or That.

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Kitchen and Bath are the two most important areas to concentrate on.

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Cost expectations

If you are remodeling your kitchen as a face-lift prior to selling it, it is recommended that you spend no more than 10-15% of the cost of your house. If you are going to remain in your house for more than 5 years, spend 25% or more -- in most cases you will recoup the entire cost of the renovation when you sell. For a kitchen renovation, you should expect to spend:

$2k - $3k
For a cosmetic facelift with no new cabinets, plumbing or electrical changes. Usually this means new cabinet doors, hardware, faucet, and fixtures.
$4k - $7k
For new low end cabinetry, counters, appliances. A few structural changes are possible, but this is basically "doing it cheap".
$8k - $10k
For new low end cabinetry, counters, appliances, flooring, paint. Some minor structural changes and some upgrades available.
$11k - $20K
For all of the above in medium quality, more elaborate structural changes, and some custom work.
$20K +
For all of the above in a high quality, with custom work and many upgrades.

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How Much Should it Cost?

Yes, kitchen renovation can be expensive. The first estimate shouldn't cost half of what you spent for the house! We put off working on our kitchen for nearly eight years, until we could afford to do what we wanted. But, there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Regardless of what you do budget, don't skimp on design, appliances, or labor. These are the basis for a functional kitchen and you should get the best you can afford. Instead, to cut costs, use stock cabinets instead of custom work, laminates instead of Corian, and keep your current appliances, if you can. Try to keep existing plumbing and electrical. Don't make structural changes to the room, and make the most of small improvements like new paint, new wallpaper, new curtains and decorations.

Make sure that ALL planning is done before you start work. Any changes halfway through the process will be expensive.

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Approximate costs

The following costs are for low-end, medium quality, and deluxe options for redoing your kitchen. There are options from one end of the range to the other.

Item	Low	Medium	High
Cabinets	$3k	$8k	$15k
Storage Inserts	150	600	1200
Countertops	15-20/ft laminate	35/ft ceramic	200/ft granite
Flooring	15-20/ft² vinyl	7-10/ft² tile	20-30/ft² tile or wood
Double Sink	250	700	1200
Faucet	100	300	800

Miscellaneous Notes

Countertops
Countertops should be 2-3" below the elbow.

The standard is 36", but can be anywhere between 28" - 45" but remember that this may affect the resale value of the house if you pick one of the extremes.

American base cabinets are normally 30 ½" tall, European based cabinets are 28".

American toe kicks are usually 4 ½", European toe kicks are 7"

Countertops are normally 1 ½ - 2" thick, depending on composition.

Wall cabinets are placed 15-20" from the countertops

A baking area should be 5-6" below the elbow.

Always leave at least 38" between countertops, or if it is a passage, at least 64".