Setting your Kitchen Renovation Budget

The kitchen has evolved.

The kitchen, which is part prep station, breakfast nook, bar, homework station, and kitchen, is now the home's central gathering point. This, along with the desire for more open spaces in the home, means that not only does everyone hang out in the kitchen, but everyone sees the kitchen.

The kitchen needs an upgrade.

We hope to provide you with helpful guidelines for planning your kitchen renovation. While it's challenging to give you a "you can expect to spend ______ on your kitchen renovation" number, we can provide:

• Helpful principles.

• Things to watch out for.

• Expert advice on maximizing your kitchen renovation.

1) HGTV is not real

Sorry to burst your bubble; those nice round (and very low) numbers and short timelines you see on your favorite renovation TV show aren't realistic either in budget or timelines.

2) No regrets

More often than not, renovating a kitchen is the most expensive space to renovate (we wrote a blog about cost per square foot remodeling). However, it's also where you'll spend most of your time. Think of it not simply as ROI (return on investment) but ROE - return on experience. The experience you'll have in going all out on a kitchen renovation will, in our experience, pay off.

Think of your kitchen renovation not simply in terms of ROI (return on investment) but ROE—return on experience. In our experience, the experience of going all out on a kitchen renovation will pay off.

"Okay," you might say, "I won't skimp, but that's vague. Where does all the money go?"

Great question - we're glad you asked.

3) Go big.

In the many kitchens we've remodeled over the years, one comment we've never heard upon completion is, "I wish it were smaller." If your floor plan permits, move a wall. Absorb a closet. Open up a door to a larger opening. If you're wondering if walls can move, the answer is yes. You can move the load-bearing components of a structural wall into the attic or make it into a large cased opening (about 60% less cost than a complete wall removal). Moving a wall will add cost to your budget, but it'll be worth it. You might sacrifice some cabinet space, but you can gain it back by adding an island or peninsula, not to mention more natural light.

Speaking of the kitchen island, we love them if space permits. Since a kitchen island often serves as a high-traffic area, we (strongly) recommend four feet of clearance on all sides, allowing two people to pass shoulder to shoulder.

4) Spend around the sink

The kitchen sink and faucet are the most used fixtures in your home, so if you're looking for areas to save a couple of hundred bucks, don't look here. We're not saying spending thousands of dollars on a kitchen sink and faucet is necessary, but allow yourself the freedom to find something functional, durable, and, honestly, beautiful. You'll be looking at it and using it for years. The same principle applies to the sink when considering size, layout, and look. Some option options you can (and should) at least consider at the sink:

• Integrate soap dispenser

• Water filter (for accessible drinking water)

• Quality disposal with an integrated button (so no need to reach for a switch

• Luxury option: hot water fixture (immediate hot water for your tea and hot chocolate!)

5) Light it up

Quick trivia question #1: How many lights does a typical room have?

Answer: four, each one evenly spaced throughout the room.

Quick trivia question #2: how many lights does a typical kitchen have?

Answer: Enough to provide visibility for all the workspaces.

The lighting in a kitchen should follow the cabinetry, allowing for proper light for countertops. While planning out your lighting, you might need to spend a little more so that you're not walking around to find the appropriate lighting so you can read your recipe. Undercabinet lighting is also a great option, especially in the morning and later at night when you don't want all the lights on but still want to be able to see.

6) Appliances

From a budget perspective, if you're getting new appliances, you should expect to spend 10-15K all in when considering a new fridge, range, range hood (can't forget that), dishwasher, and microwave. Luxury appliances and panel-ready appliances (appliances you can add cabinetry faces to) typically start around 30K and can run substantially higher. A note on luxury appliances: while they do (typically) last longer, they have a substantial lead time (sometimes over a year!), and they cost more to install and service if there is an issue.  

7)Cabinetry

In our experience, custom cabinetry pricing has a "gulp" effect when people see the price point. Often, clients walk through a big box store and see the cost of prebuilt cabinetry, allowing that to inform their price point. Prebuilt cabinetry is like an inexpensive dress or suit: functional and available in standard sizes, but that's about it. Conversely, you know the difference if you've ever worn something custom. Something highly custom accentuates all the right things and fits like a glove. Custom cabinetry is that tailored piece. It's not necessary, of course, but it serves you far better and fits your needs. The custom cabinetry in your kitchen will be the single most significant investment you make in the kitchen. For us, it typically costs 30-40% of the overall renovation cost.

8) Countertops

Granite. Quartz. Marble. Those are, for the most part, the traditional options. Granite is the most pocketbook-friendly option of the bunch and is a beautiful addition to any space. Quartz is becoming increasingly popular because it's man-made (so the designs are unique and repeatable) and highly durable. Marble (full transparency) is an expensive option and very finicky. It stains and chips easily, meaning you'll most likely pay more than the upfront costs to keep it in tip-top shape. If you have a family or enjoy red wine or an excellent yellow curry, go for the quartz option. Typically, kitchen countertops start in the 5-6K range and can go up from there.

A note on countertops: you pay for this by the slab, not by the square foot. This means that if you want to mix and match the island and the cabinet countertops, even if you only use 40% of the slab materials, you pay for the whole thing.

Conclusion:

• Renovating your kitchen will likely be the most expensive space in your home to renovate.

• The modern kitchen is the center of the home. Even if it means saving longer to get the kitchen you want, the return on investment will be worth it.

• Don't skimp on the things that, though often overlooked, really matter: space, fixtures, and lighting.

• Regarding the three significant expenses (appliances, cabinetry, countertops), options abound at various price points. Money permitting, go with quality options that fit your lifestyle.