Kitchen Remodeling Cost

One of the questions we get frequently is how much does a kitchen remodel cost?

The answer is – it depends. It is similar to asking how much does a car cost? Well, what do you want – a Toyota, a BMW or an Aston Martin?

Another question like it is – can you give me a ballpark estimate? Well, a ballpark is a pretty big place. Do you want a bunt, a line drive to center field or a grand slam? You can see where we can go with this.

Most people unwittingly think the contractor sets the price for remodeling projects. Honestly, that is seldom the case. The price is really dependent on 1) the scope of the project, 2) the age of the home, 3) location and 4) the material selections chosen by the homeowner.

Scope
The scope of work is a key element in how much your project will cost. Each project is unique, and a scope of work sets the parameters of how you wish to build your project within your budget range. Are you taking down any walls or are you staying within the existing footprint of your space? Are you replacing all the countertops, cabinets and fixtures or are you keeping these intact and looking for cabinet refinishing and a new backsplash for a refresh? Ideally these conversations should happen very early on during the conversation with your contractor (or designer should you hire one) to help you keep a realistic view of your wants and your budget. You should always have a scope of work included in your project documents, so everyone remains on the same page. Tip: A good scope of work will include what you are getting, who is responsible for what and the timing of the project.

Age of the home
This component is critical but often overlooked. Remodeling an old home has a lot of challenges that, quite frankly, newer homes (homes built since 2000 or so) simply do not have. If the home has not been fully remodeled down to the ‘bones’ within the last 30 years, there is a very high probability that there are skeletons that lurk behind the walls like mold, dry rot, termite damage, asbestos, lead and the list goes on. When assessing your project, the older the home is, the more likely it is going to cost more to bring it up to code and functionality. Side note: would you be surprised to know that even when a remodel has been completed within the last 5-10 years, we often uncover sloppy work and / or work not up to code? Tip: Use only licensed contractors. You can check your contractor’s information by visiting www.cslb.ca.gov.

Location, Location, Location
Location is great when considering where to purchase your home, but when it comes to remodeling it, where the home is located will often drive the cost higher. Los Angeles has one of the highest property values in the country, as well as material and labor costs, so remodeling costs are higher here. Also the actual location of the property, not just the city, will often add complexity to a project. Do you live in the hills? How is the parking? These types of conditions drive the price up as well since delivery of materials carry a higher cost than if these conditions did not exist.

Material Selections
Are you trying to preserve the look of your timeless masterpiece? If so, be prepared to spend a bit more money on these selections because, believe it or not, revival projects are on the rise. Hard to source classic tile is a game changer for a client who wants their remodel to appear as if it was part of the home when it was built in say, 1929. If you are going to wow your visitors with upscale, Wi-Fi enabled fixtures and appliances, healthy living choices to keep your kitchen more sanitary, look to spend even more. Are you a professional chef? Those cooktops and appliances are uniquely suited to your preference and will have a large impact on the cost.

Now that you have some of the major factors that set the cost of your project, you still may be asking, so really, what is the cost? Fortunately, there is one other helpful source that we provide our clients. It’s called the Cost Vs Value Report published by Remodeling Magazine. This is a go to for us – it’s unbiased, relevant, and includes job cost versus ROI or resale value you could expect to receive on a given project. These prices do not reflect design costs or project management costs, but is a great source, nonetheless.

A word of caution: a complete kitchen remodel will be somewhere between 10 – 15% of your home’s value with cabinets making up at least 40%. To be honest, there are inexpensive kitchen remodelers out there ready to tackle your project, but you need to do your homework to see if they are focused on doing the things outlined above at a minimum and most importantly, will they be in business long enough to address any warranties. Given the delivery delays on materials and finishes we have been seeing over the past 18 months or so, it makes sense to get your design planning done several months out to avoid supply chain interruptions (another blog?) so be sure to inquire with your contractor about this as well.

Still have questions? The best way to find out about costs for your particular project is to speak with us! We can set up a no pressure complimentary consultation to learn more about your project. Our design / build process lets you see the different choices before construction starts and it also allows you to make the best decisions that suits your desires and needs.

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