How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

The kitchen is one of the most versatile spaces in a house. Not only is it for cooking in but also for eating, entertaining, and forming many fond memories. When it comes to answering the question how much does it cost to redo a kitchen, there are several factors that come into play. Your budget is a huge consideration when deciding what upgrades to invest in.  This blog will delve into the cost of remodeling a kitchen and what factors influence this cost.

Factors That Influence the Kitchen Remodel Cost in California

The most common factors that determine the cost of renovating or remodeling a kitchen are its size, the materials and labor involved, and necessary permits.

Size

The size of your kitchen will directly impact the amount of materials needed along with the labor required. A smaller kitchen will cost less to remodel than one that is larger or has a more complex design.

Materials

The materials you select will have a significant impact on the final remodeling cost. If you’re thinking about installing a new countertop or backsplash, for example, materials such as marble and quartz will cost way more than laminate or tile. Similarly, the type of wood you choose for cabinets will have a varying impact on the final price. Additionally, if you opt for custom-made items, you can expect to pay much more than you would for prefabricated ones. So whether it’s countertops, cabinets, flooring, or appliances, the cost varies widely depending on the quality you opt for.

Permits

Any structural, electrical, or plumbing changes mean you’ll need to get the necessary permits, which add to the cost. The remodel cost also varies depending on the type of remodel involved, which will be discussed in the next section.

Labor

California’s demand for skilled labor and higher cost of living mean that the labor costs tend to be much higher than the national average. The labor costs involved in a kitchen remodel will vary depending on the extent of the project. Typically, it makes up 20-35% of your budget. As mentioned earlier, the size of the kitchen will directly impact the labor cost. The same is true for the materials selected since some take more time and skill to install. If electrical or plumbing work is needed, you can expect to pay more for the remodel.

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?

To better understand what might be involved in a kitchen remodel, this guide will classify the remodeling by the scope of the project: minor, major, and upscale remodel. Understanding the types of remodels will also help you refine your goals for what you want your kitchen to look like and a budget that is more realistic, based on the average cost of a kitchen remodel.

Minor Remodel

A minor remodel, also known as a basic remodel, maintains the kitchen for the most part, while updating some aspects of it to freshen it up in budget-friendly ways. Examples of minor remodels include appliance upgrades, painting walls, new flooring, refacing cabinets, replacing countertops, and updating hardware, faucets and sinks. You can expect to pay between $25,000 and $35,000 for a minor remodel. Undertaking some of the remodeling aspects yourself, such as painting, will lower costs.

Major Remodel

A major remodel, also referred to as a mid-range or full remodel, includes more involved upgrades than a minor remodel. It is the most common kitchen remodel homeowners opt for. It might involve changes such as adding a kitchen island, custom lighting, semi-custom cabinets, new flooring, new appliances such as garbage disposals, and painting. It often involves electrical and plumbing updates, which increase the cost. It has a higher overall kitchen upgrade cost, between $40,000 and $75,000.

Upscale Remodel

Upscale, or high-end, remodels are similar to major remodels, but there is a difference in the quality of the materials used and the labor required. For upscale remodels, the focus is incorporating luxurious or specialty items into the kitchen as well as making extensive changes to its layout. Typical inclusions in this kind of remodel include custom cabinets, flooring that uses tiles or imitation hardwood, ceramic or glass backsplashes, stone countertops, general and task lighting, painting, and smart appliances. The kitchen renovation cost for an upscale remodel is typically over $75,000.

Questions to Consider:

Budget

• Do I want a minor, major, or upscale remodel?
• What are my priorities, and what can I do without?
• Does the remodel involve any electrical or plumbing changes? (Note that those costs are often not included in initial quotations, so be sure the remodeling company has done so.)
• What local permits do I need to undertake the remodel, and what do they cost?
• Are there stock, semi-custom, or budget-friendly options I can choose that are still durable and suit my style?
• Are there parts of the project I can do myself?
• Are there energy-efficient options that I can invest in now that may cost more up-front but will save money in the long run?

Aesthetic Vision

• What is the style of the rest of my home? (mid-century, farmhouse, modern, etc.)
• What design elements am I most drawn to? (sophisticated details, clean lines, etc.)
• What materials and textures do I want to use?
• Do I want the kitchen to match the rest of the house’s style, or do I want to opt for a different style?
• Are there ways I can incorporate my vision into the existing layout?

Lifestyle

• How often do I cook, and what kind of cooking do I do most often?
• How large is my family?
• Is this a space that I would like the family to gather in?
• What is the ideal work and traffic flow I’d like for my kitchen?
• Will I be using the kitchen to entertain?
• What other uses will my kitchen have? (bar, laundry room, pet area, home office, study or reading nook, etc.)
• What features can I include to make my life more efficient? (adjustable countertops, built-in trash can, coffee station, pot filler, smart appliances, etc.)