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!