Of all the rooms in a home, the kitchen is often the most subject to changing styles. Therefore, it is also the most in need of updates over time, as trends and homeowners’ needs change. Tile and countertop aesthetics can morph significantly over the course of a decade. The popular styles are much different today than they were twenty years ago. The color of cabinetry wood changes over time as well. Maple, once very popular, has given way to warmer wood finishes. Just as avocado green and harvest gold appliances of the 1970s went out of style, even stainless-steel appliance finishes are changing.
Technology has also played a role in the features now considered desirable in a kitchen; from in-cabinet televisions to interactive refrigerators, from tablet mounts to professional-grade appliances now available for the home. Energy-saving appliances are not just attractive, they’re money-wise, making them a wise upgrade.
Floors show wear, paint fades, and old trends grow tired and dated. Whether it’s for the sheer enjoyment of a renewed cooking space or to increase the sale potential of a home, the kitchen is the heart of the home, the place guests hang out, and the most frequently remodeled.
But, how much will it cost? When homeowners are considering a kitchen remodel, anticipating the costs correctly can be daunting. With a multitude of potential factors to consider, and no two projects being the same, it’s no wonder it’s hard to get a reliable ballpark figure. The first thing to know is the extent of your remodel, and what you intend to have done. Some renovations may not require new appliances, which saves money, while others require more invasive work, such as relocating plumbing. But with a few basic parameters, it’s actually pretty simple to figure out the price range for your general project size.
Homeowners hire professionals to guide and execute the construction but also want to feel confident they’re not being taken for a ride. Luckily, there’s a resource for just this situation. The Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report allows any homeowner to reference realistic pricing estimates for their area. It’s a comparison of cost data, gathered nationwide for almost 20 years. You can compare your area’s average costs to the national average. Even professional builders like us refer to this report.
It begins with a breakout of project descriptions by room, from midrange to upscale levels, and follows up with cost guidelines by project size. According to the report, one might expect one of the following three ballpark estimates for a kitchen remodel in the Washington D.C. area.
Minor Kitchen Remodel – Midrange
Job cost $22,180, Resale value $19,053, Cost recouped 85.9%
This level leaves the existing cabinets in place but updates the cabinet doors and hardware, and includes replacing two appliances, laminate countertops, sink, and resilient flooring. Everything gets a fresh coat of paint as well. A simple, cosmetic update.
Major Kitchen Remodel – Midrange
Job cost $64,514, Resale value $41,238, Cost recouped 63.9%
This level gets new, semi-custom cabinets, laminate countertops, a small island, a stainless sink, new appliances and custom lighting. Fresh paint goes on, followed by new resilient flooring. A slightly more thorough update with more opportunities for customization.
Major Kitchen Remodel – Upscale
Job cost $128,117, Resale value $77,148, Cost recouped 60.2%
Quality custom cabinets with extra features, stone countertops and high-end tile make this level more expensive, but also a more attractive, highly customized finished product. Built-in appliances, a commercial-grade cooktop, designer fixtures, wood-look flooring, and multi-level, customized lighting round out the package.
It’s important to read the descriptions carefully and take note of the square footage used in these estimates, and then extrapolate those numbers to your own project. The given estimates are for a 200 square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry. If your kitchen footprint covers 400 square feet with 60 linear feet of cabinetry, you might double the estimate. Another factor to keep in mind is where you want to focus your dollars. If a Wolf range and SubZero fridge are important to you but you want to stay in the midrange, consider sticking with semi-custom cabinets and laminate counters to balance your costs.
This report is a wonderful tool for helping you plan your renovation. Winthorpe takes special care to help educate our clients and set expectations from the outset, and we’re happy to use this cost report as a guide when discussing your project.
