The Five-Star Drive Thru: Keeping Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Check

Asking what it costs to remodel your kitchen is a lot like asking how much it costs to buy a meal. There’s a big range. Are we talking fast food drive thru or five-star haute cuisine? So, same as when you decide on dinner, you need to consider the specifics. Ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend and what exactly it is that you’re hungriest for.

First off, figure out if you’re looking to do a simple upgrade, or a full remodel. The pricing difference here is equivalent to the kids’ menu vs. the wine list. And that’s not to turn our noses up at chicken nuggets and fries here; it’s just that there’s a time and place for each. A simple kitchen upgrade includes things like:

·      new cabinets

·      new appliances

·      new flooring

·      paint

Any of these—or any combination of them—can make a dated kitchen look modern, give the illusion of more space, or just make your kitchen a little easier to work in. And, while these are individually reasonable expenses, these updates are nothing to sneeze at either. New appliances, for example, can really add up; like our aforementioned wine list, they have prices that range all over the place. Ask yourself: is the old dishwasher that bad? Would a fresh coat of paint and some new flooring be enough to breathe new life into your old kitchen?

If not, then you might be looking at a full remodel. We’re talking about:

·      reconfiguring the layout of your kitchen

·      moving or adding windows or doors

·      alterations to wiring, plumbing, or gas lines

·      blending surrounding areas into your remodeled kitchen

·      lighting upgrades

·      custom islands

·      upscale or custom appliances

·      removal of walls or soffits

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a mid-level kitchen remodeling project in Northern Virginia runs in the ballpark of $50,000 - $55,000. This is a good starting point, but with wide variations in appliance quality, lots of choice in flooring and countertop materials—just to name a pair of pricing factors—project pricing can easily drift higher. Consider, too, that homeowners and buyers in the Northern VA area have come to expect a great many upgrades and upscale products in their kitchens—things like layered lighting, granite countertops, tile backsplashes and so forth. Really, for a mid-level remodel in this area, with multiple upgrades and some significant structural modifications, a price range of $65,000 - $90,000 is more likely.

And, of course, there’s scope creep. This is when homeowners, as they plan out their kitchen project, look at the areas adjacent to the kitchen and find them lacking—or begin seeing ways to match or blend the areas. And then they look at the areas adjacent to those areas… and so on. Scope creep, if not carefully managed, can turn your remodel into a total home refit. It’s better to find ways to make your remodeled kitchen stylistically fit, updates and all, into the spaces around it as seamlessly as possible.

Keep in mind that we’re talking mid-level remodeling here. For an upscale project—things like commercial grade appliances, major structural changes, and some degree of scope creep into adjacent areas—you’re likely looking at a price tag of anywhere from $100,000 all the way up to $200,000.

Items that generally drive costs up include:

·      relocating exterior windows and doors

·      removing soffits

·      removing walls/creating openings

·      major electrical or HVAC changes

·      relocating plumbing

·      luxury items or finishes

and, of course:

·      scope creep into adjacent areas

Suffice it to say that it can often be in your best interest to find a contractor or someone who specializes in these kinds of projects to help you think about your needs and your space in ways that maximize the value and impact of your remodel, while managing the costs and potential scope creep. You might know that you prefer the wine list to the kids’ menu, but it never hurts to have an expert suggest what goes best with your meal… or, in the case of your kitchen, what goes best with your home, your needs, and your lifestyle.

Want to learn more about the costs of remodeling your home in northern virginia, download our free guide here: http://www.northwoodconstruction.com/remodel-cost-guide