KITCHEN PRICING
Get a clear and transparent pricing plan for your kitchen remodel
The cost of a kitchen remodel can vary significantly, how you determine the price depends on multiple factors:
Quality of Materials
The cost of materials can vary widely, depending on the quality and type of products used. For example, custom fabricated countertops, additional appliances such as a steam oven, from brands like Sub-Zero and Wolf, and other finishes will be more expensive than basic options. When high end materials are used, labor price goes up to handle, typically because of additional installation requirements and tools.
Scope
A kitchen remodel can involve varying degrees of changes, ranging from simple updates of fixtures and finishes to more complex renovations that entail altering the floor plan, moving utilities and walls, or even creating an entirely new kitchen in a different part of the house.
At the most basic level of kitchen remodeling, replacing fixtures and finishes is the primary focus, which involves refreshing elements like cabinets, lighting, flooring, and countertops to create a fresh new look and feel. This kind of renovation usually does not entail modifying the kitchen’s layout or structure.
On the other hand, changing the floor plan, which involves relocating walls and utilities, is a more extensive remodeling process that might involve relocating the kitchen to another section of the house or expanding its area. This type of renovation necessitates more thorough planning, including considerations for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
Creating a new kitchen or relocating the existing one to another part of the house entails designing a completely new kitchen space, which can be quite challenging. It necessitates careful preparation to ensure that the new kitchen area is functional, efficient, and meets the homeowner’s requirements.
To give you an idea of what to expect for your kitchen renovation in Northern California, let’s take a look at starting costs for a standard project with no layout changes (appliance packages aren’t typically included in the estimate due to price range for those alone going anywhere from $2500 to $30,000+). These prices are removing and replacing everything in a standard sized kitchen (10’x12′), excluding the appliances:
- Budget kitchen: starting at $32,000 (Includes: White shaker cabinets, quartzite or granite composite prefabricated countertops, 6′ Island)
- Mid-grade kitchen: starting at $44,000
- High-end full kitchen: starting at $68,000 (high-end is typically only used in larger kitchens)
Size: How dimensions and finishes impact the remodel cost
While it may seem obvious that larger kitchens cost more to renovate, the real cost drivers are lineal feet of cabinets, countertops, and brands of appliances, and finishes you choose. More exotic materials for the cabinets, hardware, and countertop material means higher costs, regardless of the size of your kitchen:
Medium Kitchens
The most common sized kitchen in older homes. Medium-sized kitchens may feature an “L” or “U” shaped layout, and may also have an island or peninsula to provide additional workspace. With an area ranging from 100-144 square feet, medium kitchens offer comfortable space for two cooks to move around and work in. Commonly found appliances in medium-sized kitchens include an upright refrigerator, a four-burner range, a dishwasher, and a microwave.
Large Kitchens
Spacious large kitchens are typically equipped with plenty of cabinets or a pantry, as well as an island or peninsula for extra workspace. With a size ranging from 144-225 square feet, large kitchens offer comfortable space for three cooks to work in, as well as extra room for socializing and dining. Commonly found appliances in large kitchens include a wide upright refrigerator, a six-burner range or cooktop along with a separate oven, a dishwasher, microwave, and possibly even a wine refrigerator.
Extra Large Kitchens
Extra large kitchens exceed 225 square feet in size and feature a pantry or larder, and even can have a Prep Kitchen adjacent to the main kitchen. These spacious kitchens are often equipped with a variety of amenities, making them ideal for cooking and socializing with family and friends. In addition to ample room for dining or lounging, extra large kitchens are commonly outfitted with an extra wide upright refrigerator, six-burner range or cooktop, multiple ovens, multiple dishwashers, a microwave, and a wine refrigerator.
Small Kitchen
Medium Kitchen
Large Kitchen
Quality of Materials (A.K.A Finish Level)
The term “finish level” pertains to the overall quality and cost of the materials, fixtures, and finishes used in a home renovation project. This encompasses various elements such as wall treatments, flooring options, countertop species and fabrication, cabinet materials and construction, as well as the specific brands and models of sinks, faucets, and fixtures selected. The more upscale the finish level, the greater the potential for expenses to escalate quickly.
- Budget Finish: Typically, when working on a tight budget, home renovation projects rely on readily available materials sourced from large retail chains like IKEA and other large manufacturers, such as Lioher and Mantra. These include pre-made cabinets in standard sizes. Countertops are prefabricated and locally sourced from a large warehouse. Backsplash comes in the form of tile from a big box store such as Home Depot, Lowes, or Floor & Decor, as well as a variety of floor tiles/vinyl plank flooring costing under $3 per square foot, including options from brands like DuraLux and Daltile. For the kitchen sink, popular brands such as Delta, Moen, and Kohler offer budget friendly product lines.
- Mid-grade Finish: Mid-grade materials strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality of materials. Examples of mid-grade materials are cabinets from brands like 21st Century Cabinets (offering classic selections), Bertch Cabinets, Mantra and Fabuwood, which offer both durability and style at reasonable prices. Arizona Tile is a company that provides mid-grade tile for your backsplash options, and raw slabs of stone to be fabricated for your countertops. Additionally, mid-grade fixtures from well-known brands such as American Standard, Hansgrohe, and Kohler offer reliable performance and attractive design without the hefty price tag. Homeowners can achieve a high-quality look and feel in their renovation projects while keeping costs under control by selecting mid-grade materials.
- High-end Finish: High-end, also referred to as luxury, materials represent a level of quality and craftsmanship that goes beyond the norm, and typically includes custom work. This category includes a range of materials, high-end tile options from brands like Walker Zanger, Ann Sacks, and Artistic Tile, which offer unique and luxurious designs. Cabinets from brands such as Grabill, Kountry Kraft, and Plato Woodwork feature high-end construction and design elements, often with customizable options.
Luxury home renovation projects offer virtually limitless possibilities in terms of customization, craftsmanship, and material quality. Brands like Axor, THG Paris, and Dorn Bracht represent the highest echelon of luxury, offering the most exclusive and high-end fixtures available on the market. When it comes to luxury home renovations, no expense is spared, and every detail is meticulously considered to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Scope
The term “project scope” refers to the size and nature of the work that needs to be undertaken, and can have an impact on the types of professionals that need to be hired. Generally, project scope is divided into the following broad categories:
- Minor Renovations (Facelift): These are small-scale renovations that generally involve cosmetic updates, such as painting, replacing light fixtures, or installing new plumbing fixtures, painting cabinets etc.
- Major Renovations (Standard Project): These is a larger scope of work than a facelift, requiring more extensive work, such as replacing flooring, cabinetry, new countertops and backsplash, upgrading plumbing or electrical systems, and installing new fixtures.
- Structural Renovations: This type of kitchen renovation is typically suggested for individuals who want to fix a badly configured space or enlarge their kitchen. If you’re planning a complete transformation, it may require the removal of walls, rerouting of plumbing lines, and rewiring of electrical connections. This often involves stripping the room down to its bare bones, including the studs and subfloor, and potentially even completely removing them. In some cases, even moving the kitchen to a completely different area of the house.
Services
When planning a kitchen renovation, you will need to consider what type of service you are looking for: Builder, designers, and architects are all parts of the industry. Depending on your specific requirements, there are various options available for selecting the type of firms to engage with.
Build-only
If you have already made all the necessary selections for the finishes and have a clear idea of what you want your project to look like, a build-only service is the appropriate choice for you. This service involves a general contractor who carries out the demolition and construction work required for the project. While some general contractors focus only on the build service, there are different levels of service offerings available within this category. This means that some contractors may not provide professional design services.
Designer/Architect
Design services can be categorized into creative and technical design. Creative design involves working with an architect or interior designer to redesign the space and typically costs 10-20% of the construction budget, depending on the level of service. However, some firms may charge a flat fee based on the project scope and anticipated duration. Technical design expertise, on the other hand, is necessary for projects that require permits and safety considerations, such as gut renovations. An architect or structural engineer is needed to ensure that the project is done safely and to code.
Design-builder
For design and build services, you can hire a designer/architect and a general contractor separately, or opt for a design-build firm. The latter offers advantages like working with the same firm for planning, design, and construction, which can save time, provide seamless coordination, and keep the project on budget. Many clients appreciate the working relationship and its benefits.
When it comes to remodeling, it’s many customer’s first time. There are a lot of questions that may come up, hopefully we can answer some of them for you here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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