How much will my kitchen remodel cost?

How much will my kitchen remodel cost?

The kitchen has become the center of activity in the home. No wonder it is one of the most popular rooms to remodel. When embarking on a kitchen remodel it is important to have a realistic idea of the cost. Kitchens are often the largest investment you will make in your home. With so many elements involved; cabinets, appliances, flooring, countertops, lighting, ventilation, etc., the kitchen is much more complicated than a bedroom or living room to remodel. Determining an exact cost without site visits, design, and selections is difficult at best. Below we will try and give you a guide to help determine a budget for your kitchen remodel. At Jim Keller Kitchen, Bath & Home, we’ve been guiding our clients through the process of remodeling their kitchens for decades! 

Kitchen Remodel Budget Ranges Around Chicago

Here is a basic description of what is included in different levels of a kitchen remodel and how that applies to different sized kitchens. Design, labor, materials are included. Appliances, permit fees, decorative light fixtures are not included.

Basic Kitchen Remodel:                                                                                                                                        

This will freshen up your kitchen without making any major changes in the physical space. 

A basic remodel uses the existing cabinet and appliance layout. Existing or entry level flooring, stock cabinetry, keep existing soffits, in stock standard granite countertops, entry level sink faucet & hardware. No electric or plumbing relocation.

Mid-level Kitchen Remodel:                                                                                                                                      

A mid-level kitchen remodel is a step up in both price and quality. Upgrading the look and function of your space while keeping an eye on the budget. 

It can include layout changes within the existing space, refinish or new hardwood flooring, semi-custom cabinetry with more drawers and interior storage features, expanded stone countertop options, removal of soffits, undercabinet LED lighting, addition or relocation of recessed ceiling lighting, ceramic or porcelain tile backsplash.  

Luxury or Dream Kitchen Remodel:                                                                                                                                   

Luxury is just like it sounds, where you are after that truly special place. Form and function rule the day.

A luxury remodel includes wall removal to expand or relocate the kitchen space, new hardwood or tile flooring, custom cabinetry, upscale finishes, door styles, and moldings, exotic granite or quartz countertops, undercabinet, above cabinet, and in cabinet LED lighting with programmable remote, extensive ceiling lighting, porcelain or stone backsplash.   

Courtney Burnett with Dave Fox design build remodelers

Appliances for Kitchen Remodel

You will notice that appliances were not included on the budget examples. The range of appliance type costs can skew the budget of any size or level of kitchen. Below are some appliance packages that you can plug into your budget of choice above.

Kitchen Remodel Considerations

Understanding your budget

The above estimates are just averages and can vary on many factors such as the age of the home, what you find when opening the walls, discovering that wiring isn’t up to code or finding rot or mold from a leaking dishwasher or plumbing from an upstairs bath. Be sure to allow for the unexpected, especially if you are remodeling an older home.

Everyone has a budget, large or small. When we ask the question, “What is your budget?” the overwhelming answer is, “We don’t know”. Hopefully, the above examples will help you start to answer that question. Understanding what is most important to you and what you want to spend will make the process move along much more comfortably.

Other kitchen remodeling resources

A fantastic resource to help start establishing a budget is remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value report. https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2020/.  It provides a good look at what costs are averaging nationally and in your area for kitchens or any other home improvement project.

A lot of other factors can influence what you spend on a kitchen remodel. The size of the space, the value of the home, and your neighborhood are just a few. The internet is littered with cost estimates and calculators. Many have “too good to be true” estimates with little to no information. Be wary of ones linked to services asking you to sign up at the end.

Know what your priorities are

Decide what is most important to accomplish with your remodel. Bring your list when you meet your kitchen designer. Tell them what you are looking for and what you think your budget is. We help clients understand how all these items impact the budget and help them understand their tradeoffs and their options.

The kitchen really is the heart of the home. We provide our clients with the highest level of service to help them get the very most out of their kitchen remodel. From up front planning and consultation, through design and construction, to the day you are able to begin using your new kitchen, you can rely on Jim Keller Kitchen, Bath & Home to guide you every step of the way. Call us today at 847.844.1900 if you live in the Barrington, Elgin, or Crystal Lake areas, and you can begin creating the perfect kitchen or bath for your home!

Tips For Surviving Your Kitchen Remodel

Tips For Surviving Your Kitchen Remodel

Any remodeling project in your home requires patience and preparation. But when remodeling a kitchen, that can reach a whole new level – after all, we have to eat! Our decades of experience have taught us many ways to minimize your inconvenience.  In fact, we invite you to take advantage of the great tips we’ve put together for you whether you’re located in Barrington, Lake In The Hills, Algonquin, Elgin, East Dundee or West Dundee.

Your journey starts well before the remodeling begins. Getting ready for your kitchen remodel project is a great time to clean out all those crowded cabinets and get rid of unnecessary items.  Pack up your kitchen – and remember to label boxes clearly to make unpacking a lot easier. Make sure to mark fragile items accordingly to avoid breakage. Find a place to store everything away from the construction area. It’s also a good idea to remove items such as painting or pictures from the walls leading to and from the work area. Other items need special attention too. Construction creates dust, while hepa construction fans and cordoning off the work area make a big difference,here simply isn’t any way to completely avoid it. If you have a fish tank or delicate electrical equipment in close proximity to the work, it is important to keep them well covered and protected. 

Choose a safe enclosed area to store your new kitchen cabinets and appliances when they arrive. It’s a good idea to have space cleared out and ready for delivery. The garage is often the ideal spot. You’ll also want to designate a safe spot for workers to store their tools. 

Next, plan a location for your temporary kitchen outside the remodeling area. If you have a hot plate, microwave, and a toaster or  toaster oven, these can really come in handy. Here are a few other key items to keep in mind for your temporary kitchen:

  • Plan a space for the refrigerator. 
  • Consider where your water source will be in relation to your temporary kitchen.
  • Keep cleaning supplies and dish towels handy. 
  • Stock your freezer with microwavable meals.
  • Make sure you have your coffee maker and electric kettle for tea handy, including filers, coffee, and tea bags. 
  • Gather your everyday utensils that you use most often, such as can openers, bottle and wine openers, your favorite knives, large spoons and spatulas.
  • Remember your cooking basics, like butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and favorite spices.
  • Minimize washing up by using paper plates & napkins, as well as disposable silverware.
  • Coffee Maker (don’t forget to put the filters and coffee close at hand too!)
  • Designate a table and chairs to use for eating – use tv trays in your living room

No matter how much you prepare, the limitations imposed by a temporary kitchen can get old! That’s why we advise many of our clients to think of your remodel as a fantastic time to try all the new restaurants you’ve wanted to go to. Make a list before it starts and see how many you can check off. Eating out is a nice diversion when you just can’t stand another microwave meal.

If you have pets, you’ll want to have a place where you can safely keep them away from the construction. If you can’t find a safe area in your home, investigate pet daycare options or make play dates for them to visit their furry friends. You can even board them at a kennel for short periods.

At Jim Keller Kitchen, Bath and Home, we take our commitment to our clients seriously. We’ll go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure your remodeling experience is as smooth and easy as possible. We’ll guide and advise you every step of the way.

Your first step to the kitchen of your dreams is just a phone call away. Call us today at 847.844.1900 if you live in the Barrington, East Dundee, Algonquin or Lake Of The Hills IL, and you can begin creating the perfect kitchen or bath for your home!