How to Budget
A kitchen remodel is attainable with just about any budget. But before you actually start crunching numbers and coming up with figures, do your homework so you can be realistic about what you can and can't afford. Visit a QualityCabinets™ showroom first to find out what’s available and get an idea of prices. Also talk with a professional contractor early on to get a clear sense of the full scope of the work that may be involved. That puts you in a good position to make informed decisions and choices.
The cost of the renovation work will depend on the condition of the existing structure, the extent of the work to be done and local labor and material prices, such as your cabinetry. The products and materials you choose will have the greatest impact on your new kitchen’s price tag. Typically, cabinets account for the largest portion of the total cost. Installation and labor costs (which vary by geography) represent the next biggest chunk, followed by the costs of other major design elements (countertops, flooring, appliances, sinks and faucets).
A good budget checklist will help you to develop a realistic cost for the project before you start. You will want to factor in a contingency amount that's roughly 10-20 percent of your ideal budget. Later, if there’s a feature you forgot or a luxury you’d like to indulge, you won’t feel so bad for going over.
In addition to the hard and soft costs associated with your cabinetry, some other potential expenses that factor into the overall scope of the project are:
- Design changes
- Structural considerations
- Fixtures and appliances
- Floor and wall finishes
- Plumbing and electrical problems
- Permit and inspection costs
- Waste disposal
- Meal costs incurred while kitchen is under construction
It may be possible to reduce the cost of renovation by considering the following:
- Avoiding structural changes
- Removing/installing cabinetry yourself
- Postponing some improvements to a later time
- Doing your own flooring, painting and/or wallpapering
- Reusing existing appliances