Which Factors Have the Greatest Impact on My Kitchen Remodeling Budget?

We get asked all the time, “How much will my kitchen remodel cost?” The truth is, it costs however much you want to spend on your house. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and as a professional remodeler and cabinetry maker, we generally take higher-budget remodels with larger scopes because we have the team, processes, and facilities in place to expedite them. With that being said, whether your budget is $5k or $150k, you deserve to know which factors influence the cost of your kitchen remodel to ensure that you are getting the quality and expertise in line with what you are paying for. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 3 factors that have the greatest influence on your kitchen budget, plus a few other important considerations that will affect your bottom line.

Neutral kitchen remodel featuring inset cabinets and a custom, stained range hood.

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In this blog you’ll find:

Our Clients’ Kitchen Remodel

Cabinets

Cabinets are going to be one of the largest expenses in your kitchen’s remodeling budget. If you are looking to DIY, or need to cut expenses, refinishing your existing cabinets (assuming they’re in good condition) may be your best option. Even the pre-fabricated, assembly-required options from big box stores will easily run you $10-20k depending on the size of your kitchen.

As a residential remodeling company that specializes in making cabinetry, we take pride in the quality and durability of our custom product. However, even with higher-end cabinetry, there is quite a bit of a price difference depending on square footage and several specifications including, but not limited to:

Door type (full overlay vs. inset)
Wood quality (stain grade vs. paint grade)
Level of customization (organizers, carousels, pull-out shelves, hidden outlets)

Again, there are many factors that go into every facet of your kitchen’s estimate. In our case, labor is included in the price of the cabinetry (i.e. design, assembly, delivery, and installation). However, that may not be the case with other remodeling companies, and may end up being a large hidden cost. If you are ready to start interviewing contractors for your renovation, then head over to our post, 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Contractor!

Labor

Unless you are planning to DIY, the cost of labor is going to drive up the price of every single line item on your budget. It’s largely affected by two factors: your geographic location and the project’s scope.

Higher cost of living areas generally warrant higher labor costs. However, just because you are in a rural area doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have lower labor costs. Contractors will have to take time and mileage into account when estimating your remodel, which may lead to a higher price than expected.

A more complex renovation is going to require various types of skilled labor regardless of whether you are planning to DIY your project or hire it out. If your renovation is involved enough to require a building permit, please leave it to the experts!

Appliances

If you are looking to revamp your kitchen, odds are that you’ll want to replace the old appliances. At minimum, you’ll be in the market for a new fridge, dishwasher, and cook range. Even lower-end appliances are going to run several hundred to several thousands of dollars each. A new range alone can cost as much as a new car! Appliances selections are notorious for blowing up kitchen budgets, so please do your research to find which make and model is best for you and your daily needs.

Again, sticker price is one thing, labor and installation is another. Modifying electrical and moving plumbing are often required in a kitchen renovation to accommodate the new layout and modern appliances.

Other Considerations

Flooring:

Not every kitchen remodel requires new flooring to be installed, so we didn’t include it in the “Top 3” list. However, if you want your remodel to include new flooring, then go ahead and add it to the “major expenses” list above. Flooring is not something that you want to cut corners on!

Mismatched or low-grade flooring will cheapen the look of your house regardless of what your remodeling budget is. So take advantage of the fact that your home is in disarray during a renovation, and have the floors refinished so that they are consistent throughout the house.

Hard Surfaces:

Countertop and tile selections can make or break your remodeling budget. We didn’t include these in the top three because there are a ton of high-quality look-alikes when it comes to countertops and tile selections. In addition, some people prefer alternative materials like butcher block or concrete to traditional rock or manufactured rock options.

Fixtures and Finishes:

You probably wouldn’t put $4,000 worth of marble countertops into a $5,000 kitchen renovation; so chances are you’re going to keep your lighting and plumbing fixture expenses proportionate to your budget as well. Just like appliances, the sky’s the limit when it comes to pricing light and plumbing fixtures. However, there are so many dupes out there that it’s possible to find something you like within your price range.

Kitchen Remodel

Before and After Gallery

In conclusion, there are a lot of factors that go into a kitchen remodel estimate. Whether you are planning for a full DIY, or handing it all over to the pros; ultimately it's your choice how much you choose to spend on your renovation. Don’t be afraid to get quotes from several contractors to compare pricing. And definitely don’t let a remodeler or contractor rush you into signing a contract! Renovations are a huge expense regardless of your budget and require planning and forethought. Feel free to contact our team today to set up your free, initial consultation!