| Kitchen Budget Basics
Just what can you expect to accomplish within your particular budget? That depends on your priorities.
According to a national survey conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the average cost of a kitchen remodeling done with the services of a certified kitchen designer in 1998 was $26,888. Of the total budget, the average consumer spent 31 percent on cabinets, 15 percent on installation and labor, 11 percent on countertops, 8 percent on appliances, 3 percent on fixtures and fittings, 6 percent on flooring, and the rest on design and miscellaneous extras. Keeping the scope of your project tailored to your budget will prevent unwanted surprises. While the most basic facelift can be achieved for as little as about $10,000, a serious remodel requires more serious resources.
Simple Facelift
- Do simple demolition and disposal work yourself,
- Leave the existing layout intact. Investigate the possibility of
refacing existing cabinets and installing new hardware. Add color
with paint and fabrics.
- Replace 15 to 20 old cabinets with stock units in laminate,
thermafoil, or painted or stained oak or pine.
- Install laminate countertops.
- Avoid relocating appliances and fixtures that will require changes to plumbing or gas lines.
- Do any basic electrical upgrades necessitated by changes in local codes since your home's last remodel or initial construction (typically required); upgrade lighting.
- Replace appliances with standard freestanding models; a built-in look can be obtained by using cabinet-matching panels,
- New flooring options include vinyl and laminate.
- Add a pantry, tile backsplash, or new picture window.
Full Remodeling
- Upgrade materials and finishes, perhaps opting for double, sinks, decorative faucets, ornate hardware, custom lighting.
- Consider floor plan changes, including adding an island, peninsula, and/or built-in seating.
- Install semi-custom or custom cabinetry (either from a manufacturer or built locally) with more intricate styling an decorative moldings.
- Replace flooring with hardwood or ceramic tile.
- Upgrade countertops to solid surfacing, marble, or granite.
Custom Jobs
- An "anything goes" floor plan. Knock down walls, expand into adjacent rooms, or boost space with a home addition or bumpout.
- Design the kitchen with task-specific areas—cooking zones, baking areas, and cleanup zones.
- Choose tob-of-the-line cabinets in any finish or wood type.
- Install professional-style built-in appliances. Double up appliances: dual dishwashers, second sinks, double ovens.
- Add skylights, French doors, or a bay window; upgrade remaining windows and doors.
- Upgrade flooring with hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone.
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