Creating Realistic Kitchen Remodeling Budgets in a Time of Rising Prices

A good rule of thumb for a kitchen renovation is that the cost will be between 10 and 20% of the value of your home and sometimes even more based on the variance determined by the following:

Relate your goals to your designer. Are you looking to increase the value of your home, because you intend to sell it within the next year or two? Is your kitchen showing its age? Is your kitchen inefficient? Do you want to improve your family’s quality of life? Are you interested in making modifications that will allow you to age in place gracefully? Perhaps you have a passion for cooking, and your existing kitchen is not meeting your needs, wants and desires. 

Fill in the blank: I want to remodel my kitchen because _____________________________.

If increasing home value for a near-term sale is your primary goal, it may be practical to simply replace what exists in the same location. A professional designer can point you to products and looks that create the most value while recommending styles that appeal to a broad spectrum of potential buyers in Pittsburgh, PA and can stand the test of time.

Make a complete plan and budget and stick to it. Don’t start demolition until you’ve specified all of the products and finishes you need, and an order schedule is established. When you change your mind, you delay the project’s completion and increase your cost. Recent industry surveys found changing scope during the course of a renovation is the reason why 33 percent of kitchen renovation projects go over budget.

If you have a place to store materials prior to demolition such as a basement, garage or empty bedroom, you can lock in the price of kitchen cabinets, countertops and other materials. With many appliances taking a year or longer for delivery, having storage space can create substantial savings and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Invest wisely. If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, invest in the materials that will be used most often and are difficult and expensive to replace.  These include countertops, cabinets, sinks and faucets. It’s a lot easier to replace a refrigerator than the top of your island. 

Ask your designer to offer plan B suggestions if your original wish list is beyond your budget. Great design can reduce costs by using alterative materials and different design solutions that can reduce structural alterations that result in lower construction costs. 

Finally, prepare for the unexpected. We generally recommend 10 - 20 percent contingency to cover surprises and rely on your showroom professional to develop a realistic timetable for the renovation.

Give us a call at 412-922-1200 to learn more about Jacob Evans Kitchen and Bath.