Kitchen remodel cost estimator and calculator

National average kitchen remodel costs can vary from $18,000 to $58,000, depending on the size of the renovated space and where you live.

Outside the average, a low-end budget project can range from $5,000 to $15,000 while a high-end budget project can range from $30,000 to more than $75,000! Renovation costs also vary according to the cost of materials, the scope of the project and labor charges.

For instance, Georgia is one of the states with more budget-friendly costs for a kitchen remodel, with low-end costs around $5,000 and high-end costs around $65,000 in Atlanta.

On the other hand, you can find amazing ROI value for your kitchen remodel in Texas. In Houston, for example, a high-end kitchen remodel can get you more than 15% profit on what you paid originally if you decide to sell your home moving forward.

Keep in mind that an extensive kitchen renovation is an expensive prospect, as you’re dealing with components such as kitchen cabinets (one of the most expensive elements of any kitchen remodel) and countertops. You’ll probably also want to replace some or all of your kitchen appliances – requiring a healthy budget on your side.

The complete cost of your kitchen remodel takes a number of factors into consideration, such as the total square footage of the space, the scope of renovation, your zip code, local labor costs and the finishing details – just to name a few.

To get a general idea, check out the table below for an estimate of how the average kitchen remodel cost varies between different cities and project sizes.

Your kitchen renovation project can be broken down into several components that the total price will take into account. Here’s a breakdown of those components and their potential costs.

Please keep in mind that these costs are highly dependent on where you live and the types of products you choose. More expensive materials also increase the cost of installation.

Your average kitchen remodel cost also depends on whether you’ve decided to go ahead with a DIY project or want to hire certified contractors for the kitchen upgrades. Although the former will help you save money, it’s best to have kitchen professionals working on your kitchen project. They will definitely make your kitchen renovation easier, quicker and much more hassle-free.

Keep in mind that professional labor typically comprises 15 to 25% of your total kitchen remodel cost. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the labor cost national average is 17%. Of course, this varies depending on the size of the space and the features you wish to install in your kitchen.

For installation alone, homeowners can expect to pay $3,500 to $6,000. If you hire a kitchen designer to help you with your kitchen layout, material and color scheme selection, it will cost you around $100 to $200 per hour.

Even though the professional kitchen contractors you hire will do most of the work for you, it’s always a good idea to know about the basic steps involved in a kitchen remodel. If you’re an enthusiastic homeowner, you’ll think of it as a rite of passage to help you understand the renovation process inside and out.

And remember that a good kitchen remodel requires careful planning and tons of patience!

• 1. Tear out or demolish the outdated parts of your kitchen that need replacing.
• 2. Complete the rough-in work such as framing and plumbing.
• 3. Finish the kitchen walls according to your project plan.
• 4. Add in new kitchen doors and windows if required.
• 5. Install kitchen countertops, backsplash and custom cabinets.
• 6. Configure your plumbing and electrical needs and install electric and plumbing fixtures accordingly.
• 7. Place all new kitchen appliances and fasten cabinet hardware.
• 8. Install new flooring.

According to industry estimates, homeowners should spend between 5% and 15% of the current value of their homes on a kitchen remodel in order to maximize their return on investment when it’s time to resell. Ultimately, only 4% of homeowners spend less than $5,000 and only 9% spend more than $100,000 on this kind of project.

The kitchen is the heart of your home. A well-planned kitchen renovation can greatly increase your home’s value.

Once you make the commitment to remodel your kitchen, you need to know how much of an investment you require for this home renovation.

A kitchen estimate helps you organize your home improvement project and effectively manage milestones and costs.

Acquiring a free estimate for your kitchen remodeling will help you create a realistic budget – getting you quality work at a fair price. It’s also the best way to ensure that you don’t stumble across any unwelcome surprises during the execution of your project.

Getting an estimate through Kukun’s kitchen remodel cost estimator is easy. Just follow the steps below to get your custom, personalized total cost in minutes!

1. Select the type of remodel you would like for your kitchen by choosing from these three options:

• Addition
• Renovation
• Expansion

2. Enter the size of your kitchen

3. Enter the scope of work by choosing one of these options:

• Cosmetic changes
• Typical Renovation
• Down to the studs

4. Enter the finish level from the options below:

• Budget friendly
• Mid-range
• High-end

5. You can further customize your kitchen remodel by adding more information about cabinets, countertops, backsplash and appliances.

6. Enter the address and confirm the house details to calculate the recoup value.

(You can rest assured, we do not share this information. It just helps us give you a better cost estimate because labor and material prices vary widely by geography).

And there you go! Estimates for your kitchen renovation cost and recoup value are ready!

With this free estimate for your kitchen renovation, you can analyze your finance options or hire a professional to get started on the work right away. You can explore each contractor's profile, check out their online reviews and view all their previous permits.

It’s very important that you plan your kitchen remodel well in advance. Here are some tips to make the process easy and quick:

• Be organized. This is the first mantra for a successful kitchen renovation.
• Consult a kitchen design expert before starting your remodeling project.
• Set a realistic home remodeling budget. Always include leeway for some surprise costs – experts advise adding 20% extra to your existing budget.
• Consider sticking to your current layout instead of taking down walls and moving gas lines, plumbing connections and electrical wiring.
• Check your local building code for all permit requirements, including for all the plumbing and electrical work.
• Work with expert kitchen contractors. A professional finish goes a long way in adding to the beauty and value of your home.
• Choose cabinet and countertop materials that best suit your kitchen and style of house.
• Carefully plan your counter space and storage.
• Design wide walkways and make moving around easy.
• Make your kitchen cabinets and shelves easily reachable.
• Make sure the workflow (and work triangle) is not disturbed.
• Be sure to get a warranty or guarantee from your contractor.
• Get a written contract from your contractor. It should detail the complete schedule, deadlines for milestones and payment details.
• Maintain a timeline in order to manage a seamless job. Though you can renovate your kitchen anytime of the year, it’s economically wise to avoid the spring or summer rush.

These steps will help you avoid unexpected hassles and issues, and keep your kitchen remodeling project going much more smoothly.

The most expensive part of a kitchen remodel is usually its cabinets. In fact, kitchen cabinets make up the bulk of your kitchen remodel budget -- sometimes almost half of it. The reason is its large scale. Cabinets can occupy a huge percentage of your kitchen’s real estate. Moreover, they are one of the foundational aspects of your kitchen. Cabinets are absolutely essential for storage and make the kitchen a functional space. After the cabinets come all those shiny, stainless steel high tech kitchen appliances. On average, new appliances cost around $8,200. Then come the kitchen countertops -- generally costing around $6,000.

A full kitchen renovation, including changing locations for plumbing and electrical work and new appliances can take anywhere between three to five months for an average kitchen. Of course the timeline will depend on the size of the kitchen and the complexity of the kitchen remodel. You also need to understand that the total length of time for a kitchen remodel varies from site to site.

If you’re constructing a new kitchen, the building permits can take about a month after the initial designing phase. Also, keep in mind that particular materials, specialty products, or custom cabinetry can add on months to your renovation.

Semi-custom cabinets generally take four to eight weeks. Completely customized kitchen designs with stone or tile products often take longer.

A kitchen is one of the most expensive parts of your home to remodel due to the high material and labor costs. But, the good news is that if you plan well, you can always budget your kitchen remodel. Here are some ways to save money on your kitchen renovations.

• Shop locally for your custom kitchen.
• Reface your existing cabinets instead of installing new ones.
• Keep your kitchen plumbing where it is.
• Do not change your existing kitchen layout.
• Add new trim to refresh your kitchen’s look.
• Add new hardware, including fancy kitchen sink faucets.
• Convert a table or a cart into a kitchen island.
• DIY your kitchen countertops instead of hiring professionals.

If you want to save even more money on a kitchen remodel, the best way is to be prepared from the beginning of the home improvement project to the last detail. There’s no shortcut to good research and preparedness.

Here are some more ways to get the most bang for your buck.

• Buy budget countertops.
• Add roll-out kitchen shelves.
• Play around with kitchen lighting.
• Always opt for LED lights; they last longer.
• Add backsplash stickers instead of a tile or brick backsplash.
• Get new kitchen curtains.