Home Project Summary

Remodel Kitchen

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Kitchen Remodeling project

February 2011

Homeowners have many important questions about their Kitchen Remodeling Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Kitchen Remodeling investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?

Costs, materials and best practices for the example Kitchen Remodeling project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Use the following information to understand your options, make good decisions and get quality work at a fair price.

Kitchen Remodeling - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Kitchen Remodeling project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project description	Replace cabinets, flooring, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting and appliances. Use above average, quality grade materials, fabrication and finishing detail.
Project size	165 square foot kitchen
Material and labor cost	$35,865 - $41,843
Material cost	$19,125 - $22,313
Do-it-yourself assessment	The typical Kitchen Remodeling project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Kitchen Remodeling requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home.
First year Return on Investment - ROI	Results vary widely and can be affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Kitchen Remodeling project in an appropriate neighborhood can return 93% or more of its initial cost.
Long term Return on Investment - ROI	Actual returns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A good quality Kitchen Remodeling project in the right neighborhoods can return 61% - 72% of its initial cost.
Green rating	Kitchen Remodeling projects can employ renewable resources and environmentally friendly materials. Existing components can often be recycled or reused. Efficient lighting, insulation and appliances can create a substantial reduction in energy utilization.

Kitchen Remodeling - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Kitchen Remodeling project plan.

To maximize return on the Kitchen Remodeling project, limit cost to no more than 18% of home's total, post project value
Match appliances and fixtures to electrical circuit, hot water and gas capacities
To keep Kitchen Remodeling costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
To reduce Kitchen Remodeling costs, do not install flooring under base cabinets or permanent appliances
Perform major Kitchen Remodeling work with permits to help protect value at resale time
Mount low profile fixtures underneath wall cabinets for inconspicuous, countertop task lighting
Use low voltage interior lighting to illuminate pathways used at night
Hide HVAC vents in cabinet kickspace for a cleaner, more streamlined look
Install a built-in media hub to centralize storage and access of audio, video, media, internet
Install built-in cabinet storage for trash and recycling

Kitchen Remodeling - Project Plan and Details

The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Kitchen Remodeling. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Kitchen Remodeling project. Click any Task name for a complete written specifications, FAQs and quality checklist for the task - this essential information will help you control Kitchen Remodeling project cost and quality.

Task

Service Provider

Duration

Do-it-yourself difficulty

Target cost

Produce Kitchen Remodeling Plans

Kitchen Designer

5 to 15 d

Level 3 - Complex, Difficult

$560 - $935

Prepare Kitchen Remodeling Budget

General Contractor