Kitchen Remodel Cost
Wondering how much should a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost? Well, when remodeling a kitchen, the cost can vary greatly depending on many factors.
The total cost of your kitchen remodel will depend on the square footage, your design choices, and the extent to which you are remodeling. The average cost of remodeling a kitchen is anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more for a complete kitchen remodel.
Other factors that can impact the overall cost are the quality of materials used, the complexity of the project, and who is doing the work. A DIY renovation is the most affordable option. You’re going to do as much as you can. But if you’re anything like me, electrical and plumbing are just not worth your time and energy to try and figure out (and not to mention your safety). So, you’ll have to budget for a professional.
Whether you want to update your cabinets, countertops, appliances, or fixtures, the cost of a complete kitchen remodel can add up quickly. Here are ideas for remodeling a kitchen and the average cost you will pay for each element.
Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.
Ideas to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget
Don’t worry; even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of ideas for remodeling a kitchen. Yes, you heard that right. Remodeling a kitchen on a budget is possible.
Careful planning, shopping sales and second-hand, and getting in there and doing the work yourself are all ways you can keep renovation costs down.
Upgrading your kitchen and staying within your means is also a recipe for increasing the value of your home. So, beyond your personal satisfaction and enjoyment, there are financial benefits as well.
Kitchen Remodel Ideas on a Budget
From a complete overhaul to more minor updates, there are many ways to transform your kitchen without breaking the bank. Some budget-friendly ideas for remodeling a kitchen include:
- repainting cabinets
- updating hardware
- swapping outdated lighting fixtures.
Let’s look at the average cost per item in a kitchen remodel so you can plan where you’ll splurge and where you can save.
Kitchen Cabinet Costs
If you haven’t started looking at new kitchen cabinets, let me warn you, the options are endless and overwhelming!
I suggest having an idea of what you want before you search for where to buy new cabinets. By idea, I mean gathering inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, or where ever you go for ideas. Decide on a color and cabinet style, then head to Google to search for your cabinets.
Stock or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets will be your best option when doing a DIY budget kitchen renovation.
Custom cabinets are, as they sound, expensive. And honestly, with the number of options available for non-stock cabinets, you don’t need custom cabinetry. For an average sized kitchen using stock or RTA cabinets, you can expect to pay around $8,000-$15,000.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Stock cabinets are great because they are available right off Home Depot or Lowe’s shelf and come pre-assembled. The downfall is you’re limited to only a few door styles and colors. I made a kitchen island out of shaker cabinets from Lowes and was very pleased with them.
Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets
RTA cabinets arrive in pieces meaning you have to put them together. But, the door styles, colors, wood types, and quality of materials are much more significant. If you’re lucky, some RTA sites do have a pre-assembled option, so they may have what you want already put together.
You can read my How to pick kitchen cabinets guide that covers everything you must consider when selecting new cabinets. This guide gives you the cliff notes version of kitchen cabinets so you can make a decision and keep your kitchen renovation moving along!
How Much Do Kitchen Counters Cost?
Everything about a kitchen renovation is expensive, and new countertops are no different. The price range of kitchen countertops varies greatly depending on the material and square footage of your kitchen. The most affordable option is laminate countertops which cost about $30 per square foot. Next, options like quartz or granite countertops are in the $90 per square foot price range. Lastly, natural stones are the most expensive, and marble and soapstone will cost well over $100 per square foot.
You can read my kitchen countertops on a budget post to learn more about these countertop options, plus I give some other budget-friendly countertop ideas.
Cost of Kitchen Appliances
The price range for kitchen appliances is a wide one. New appliances, especially when buying all of them, are an investment. But worth it! When I re-did my kitchen, I had this grand idea to save money I was going to keep the original appliances. Yeah, bad idea because once everything else in the kitchen was all pretty and new, those appliances stuck out like a sore thumb.
Stainless steel has been the go-to option for new appliances, but also recently, colored appliances have become a popular choice. GE came out with their Cafe line appliances, which include some gorgeous white and black finishes, along with customizable hardware options. I plan to use the matte white with black hardware for the reno I’m currently doing.
The GE Cafe Appliances are middle to higher-end luxury appliances and cost about $8,000-$10,000 for the whole package. High-end appliances such as Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, Bosch, etc., will cost significantly more. I’m talking kitchen ranges alone will cost $10,000. If your budget is particularly tight, don’t be discouraged! You certainly can find quality stainless steel appliances for $3,000-$5,000.
Kitchen Flooring Costs
The good news about kitchen flooring is there are plenty of options. If you have an open-concept home, the easiest choice is to carry the flooring throughout the entire space, including the kitchen.
Laminate Kitchen Flooring
The most budget-friendly option is laminate flooring which runs about $3 per square foot. But although this is the most affordable option, be careful when considering this because water damages this floor pretty quickly.
Harwood Flooring in a Kitchen
The same goes for hardwood flooring. Water damage happens with this floor style if you don’t quickly address water on the floor. Hardwood floors add a touch of elegance and are always popular with re-sale, and they run between $5-$12 per square foot.
Vinyl Kitchen Flooring
Vinyl flooring and tile flooring are good options for a kitchen because they are durable and water-resistant. You can expect to pay $2-$10 for luxury vinyl tile flooring. And ceramic tile flooring price ranges widely from a few dollars to twenty-plus dollars per square foot.
Additional Kitchen Remodel Costs
Additional expenses to consider during a kitchen remodel include a new sink, faucet, cabinet hardware, and fixtures. Also, don’t forget about extra costs such as debris disposal fees (like a dumpster), unexpected repairs, and permit fees.
Budgeting for a New Kitchen Sink and Faucet
The cost of a new kitchen sink and faucet are two other costs you’ll need to factor into your remodel budget. A less durable material, such as plastic, and a smaller-sized basin is the most affordable option. Larger stainless steel sinks are more expensive and, on average, will cost more like to $200-$500.
The same goes for the cost of new faucets. Amazon has some really great kitchen faucet options for under $100. I used this choice in my kitchen remodel and have used them in my bathroom remodels and have been happy with them, especially for the low cost.
While more high-end options with advanced features like touchless technology or multiple spray settings, or if you want a top-of-the-line brand like Kohler, you can expect to pay upwards of $500 or more. It’s important to consider the initial cost, long-term durability, and functionality when picking a new faucet for your kitchen sink.
Cabinet Hardware
Additional costs during kitchen renovations are your cabinet hardware. While it may seem like a small detail, the right hardware can significantly impact your cabinets’ overall look and functionality. The average cost for hardware is a couple of dollars per piece. When budgeting for your renovation project, consider the cost of knobs, handles, hinges, and other hardware.
Light Fixtures
Light fixtures range from simple and functional to decorative and statement-making. They are another detail to factor into your kitchen remodel budget. The cost of light fixtures will depend on the style, size, and quality you choose. Amazon came through once again with this farmhouse pendant light fixture that fits perfectly over my sink and only costs $30. On average, you can expect to pay $30-$100 for an updated kitchen light fixture.
Kitchen Remodel Material Costs
When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, one important factor you’ll have to consider is the cost of your materials. While high-end materials may be tempting, the quality is more important than what you pay. Also, sometimes you just really like something, and regardless of the quality or cost, it’s ok to splurge and go for it.
Your material cost is essentially the majority of your kitchen renovation budget. So, take the time to search and check out all of your options. Weigh the pros and cons of each, and in the end, make sure you really love what you select.
Navigating a Budget Kitchen Remodel
An example I’ll give you from my kitchen remodel is the countertops. I love marble, but marble made absolutely no sense with kids and my total kitchen reno budget. The splurge was not worth it because they were so impractical with my lifestyle.
So, my next option was quartz. But honestly, I didn’t love any of the options for how much it cost. What I really liked was some of the laminate options. And the price was right, coming in at thousands less than my other options.
Yes, you have to be more careful with how you use Laminate. But the minor inconvenience of being unable to put a pot down directly on the countertop was worth the money I saved. And remember, I loved the look. So, despite the negative reactions laminate gets, I went with it. And did not regret it!
Kitchen Remodel Labor Costs
Although I know you want to DIY as much as possible, if you’re reworking your kitchen layout or removing walls or soffits, there are likely plumbing, electrical, and gas lines to move. Hiring a professional may be the best way to save time and frustration.
You’re savvy enough to avoid having to go as far as hiring a general contractor or interior designer. So, asking for some help with plumbing, electrical, and gas line work is ok. And it won’t totally destroy your budget.
There are a few other labor costs you may or may not need to factor into your budget. These are installation costs for appliances, cabinets, and other fixtures like your faucet.
Planning a kitchen remodel can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting. If you’re wondering how much should a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost in 2023, look no further. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to help you estimate the cost of your project. By using a helpful guide, you can get all the information you need to plan and budget for your kitchen remodel.
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