Kitchen Remodeling Budget Guide

Kitchen remodeling ideas for various budgets, including $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000 budgets. Also, tips on finding luxurious looks for less.

Setting Your Budget

 

Before you start your kitchen remodel, you have to set a budget. Remodeling costs vary depending on a variety of factors. We show you how to get a great-looking space that fits yours.
How much does the average American spend on a major kitchen remodel? According to a 2006 report by the trade publication Remodeling, about $54,000 -- and that's just the midrange makeover. The average price of an upscale kitchen was a cool $107,973.

 

If your makeover budget falls short, don't despair. With careful planning and savvy choices, it is possible to create a beautiful new kitchen for much less. Here's our guide to what you can accomplish with $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, or $50,000.

Ideas for a $5,000 Budget

 New kitchen cabinets would devour most of a $5,000 budget, so consider cutting remodeling costs and painting your existing cabinets if they're sound. (You can hire a pro to do the job for $750-$2,500.)
Update the hardware and add a few glass door insets, or remove doors on selected upper kitchen cabinets for an open look.

Replace tired countertops with new laminate; there are a lot of attractive and affordable choices.
Choose nice-but-not-fancy appliances in basic white or black as needed.
Splurge on a stunning new sink and faucet (without relocating plumbing).
Finish it all off with fresh wall paint and pretty accessories.

Ideas for a $15,000 Budget

  A $15,000 budget gives you plenty of options. Combine new, ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets (roughly $4,000-$10000) with budget-minded 3cm granite, to conserve remodeling costs. Granite counter tops are available from $19 per sqft and up. Or, you can splurge on a professional-look 30-inch range topped with a stainless-steel hood. Make it a true focal point with a pretty tile kitchen backsplash. You'll spend $2,250-$5,000 for the appliance upgrade. 

Ideas for a $25,000 Budget

  With a $25,000 budget, you can open up a compact kitchen to another room (check for load or beam requirements) and replace the cabinetry with semicustom maple units (about half your budget). Or choose ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets and a suite of midrange professional-look appliances, and then splurge on stone countertops or a gorgeous stone-topped island. Pretty undermount stainless-steel kitchen sinks -- rather than more expensive apron-front models -- will help you conserve remodeling costs. (The undermount sink is often included with higher-end countertops; watch for specials.)

Ideas for a $50,000 Budget

At $50,000, you're spending half the average price of an upscale kitchen, but assuming your room isn't large or complex, you can still expect luxury kitchens at this price -- especially if you shop carefully for good-quality kitchen cabinets (your most significant expense). At this price point, you can have American made cabinets in various wood species (usually maple or cherry) and quite a few upgrades to cabinets such as soft close doors and drawers, pull our shelves and much more.

Splurge on that commercial-grade range or cooktop you've always wanted (the $5,000-$7,000 stainless-steel model -- not the $39,000 handmade French enameled cast iron). Or a pair a commercial-style 36-inch gas cooktop with a sleek hood, and stack a warming drawer with your wall oven. Tired of all that stainless steel? Splurge on a built-in fridge or dishwasher with custom panels that match your cabinetry. Just remember that the panels cost extra. (Rough estimates from a home improvement store ran nearly $60 per square foot of coverage for natural cherry with raised panels.)

With labor averaging a third to half the price of "hard materials,"it's easy to see why high-end kitchen remodeling costs more. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call. 404-954-1623. We are always here to answer your questions.