What You Should Budget for When You’re Remodeling Your Kitchen

by Samanth Rose

One of the main factors to consider when you want to remodel your kitchen is the budget you have to spend. You want to figure out a budget that will make sense both for your finances and your goals for the new kitchen.

Figuring out your kitchen remodeling budget isn’t something that should be done in haste. Because a kitchen is often the center of a home and one of the busiest, high traffic rooms, you want to put the time and effort into making the best decision possible.

A typical kitchen remodel here in the U.S. can cost on average somewhere between $20,000 to $50,000. It all depends on factors like the size of your kitchen, the kinds of materials used, and sometimes even your location. Your particular budget will depend on your unique kitchen needs.

In order to help you start planning your kitchen remodeling budget, our team here at RTA Wood Cabinets has put together this quick ballpark guide so you can start preparing for all the various expenses that a kitchen remodel entails:

1. Cabinets & Countertops – 40%

It’s common for kitchen cabinets to be the most expensive element in a kitchen remodeling project, typically up 30% of the total budget. When it comes to costs, kitchen cabinets typically can range between $3000 to $25,000 – it all depends on the quality, materials, and design standards you desire.

Countertops can be another significant aspect of your budget, often around 10%. This is especially true if you’re choosing top-end, premium materials such as granite. Other popular options include stone (such as quartz), ceramic, or laminates. 

2. Appliances & Installation – 30%

Another major aspect of your kitchen remodeling budget may be new appliances. New ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers can be expensive, especially on the high-end. Appliances may be between 15 to 20% of you budget

And don’t forget about your installation costs! As this is something you probably won’t be doing yourself, plan to save at least 10-12% of your budget to cover installation.

 

3. Plumbing, Flooring, Backsplash – 15%

Some other considerations that may be needed to complete your perfect kitchen remodel are new plumbing, flooring, or a backsplash for your walls – you may want to budget at least 5% to each of these.

If you’ll be installing a new sink or dishwasher, especially if they’ll be going in a new location, you’ll need significant plumbing work. In fact, if you’ll be changing the locations of any of your major kitchen appliances, you may need plumbing and gas pipes re-routed.

When it comes to flooring, there are many chic options available today, but you want to be sure to pick something that will hold up to messes and traffic. Some recommended materials include stone, tile, wood, vinyl, limestone, and cork.

Remodeling your backsplash is a great way to add some personality and style to your kitchen, but you do want to make sure it’s functional too. Popular materials for backsplashes include glazed ceramic, porcelain, metal, glass, travertine natural stone, or stone veneer.

4. Lights & Electrical – 10%

Installing new lights is a great way to make your kitchen feel bright and fresh. This can often amount to up to 10% of your budget.

There are 3 main types of lighting that are often needed to create a functional, beautiful kitchen space: 

• Recessed Lighting or General Illumination
• Task Lighting
• Pendant or Accent Lights

And don’t forget to factor in the cost of installation, especially if you’ll need new wiring or electrical support for any of your new lighting or appliances! 

5. Additional – 5%

Lastly, there may be some miscellaneous expenses for the final finishing touches that will make your dream kitchen complete – for example, maybe you want to add some new artwork or incorporate a hanging herb garden into your kitchen décor.

It’s also a good idea to plan to budget for “a little extra,” as kitchen remodeling costs can sometimes run over even the best estimates. This is why it’s recommended that 5% of your overall budget go toward this “Additional” category.

As you can see, while all these kitchen components are important to consider, probably your most costly decision will be what you choose for you kitchen cabinets. For this reason, many people like to begin their remodeling plans by choosing their new kitchen cabinets first, and then building out from there. 

If you’d like to explore options for your kitchen cabinets, we’ll be happy to offer you a FREE Kitchen Design. Just call RTA Wood Cabinets at: 800-788-7575.