Update Kitchen
Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Kitchen Makeover project
December 2021
Homeowners have many important questions about their Kitchen Makeover 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 Makeover 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 Makeover project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.
Kitchen Makeover - Project Overview
The approximate costs and value of a typical Kitchen Makeover 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 cabinet doors and refinish cabinet frames. Update countertops, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. Use average, "contractor" grade materials and average finishing detail. |
| Project size | 165 square feet |
| Material and labor cost | $5,166 - $6,027 |
| Material cost | $2,921 - $3,407 |
| Do-it-yourself assessment | The typical Kitchen Makeover project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Kitchen Makeover requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| First year Return on Investment - ROI | 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 high quality Kitchen Makeover project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost. |
| First year Return on Investment - ROI | Results vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and prudent design choices. A typical Kitchen Makeover project completed with good or better quality will return less than 60% of its initial cost. |
| Green rating | Kitchen Makeover projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials. |
Kitchen Makeover - Project Plan and Details
The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Kitchen Makeover. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Kitchen Makeover 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 Makeover project cost and quality.
Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Kitchen Makeover project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.
Kitchen Makeover - Proven Ideas and Project Tips
Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Kitchen Makeover project plan.
- To maximize return on the Kitchen Makeover project, limit cost to no more than 3% of home's total, post project value
- For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Kitchen Makeover
- To keep Kitchen Makeover costs low, do not move walls or relocate plumbing fixtures or electrical boxes
- Install an ABC type fire extinguisher in a location that can be easily accessed
- To minimize risk of electrical shock, have all circuits protected by GFCI
- Mount low profile fixtures underneath wall cabinets for inconspicuous, countertop task lighting
- Use low voltage interior lighting to illuminate pathways used at night
Hiring Local Professionals
Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project.
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