Remodeling your kitchen is a surefire way to add value to your home and create a fresh and enjoyable family space. However, this kind of project is generally a pricey one, so your best bet
when it comes to a budget is to pick one and stick to it. The average cost to remodel a kitchen in NJ can vary widely depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the kitchen, the materials used, the cabinet line you choose, whether or not you replace all of your appliances or change the footprint of the room, and the general extent of the renovations. However, here is a general estimated range of costs that you can expect:
Minor Kitchen Remodel: $15,000 – $30,000
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel: $30,000 – $70,000
Upscale Custom Kitchen Remodel: $75,000+
There are plenty of resources and material options available to fit into any price range, so with the right kitchen experts, in most cases you can work together to create a kitchen design within a predetermined budget range.
Type of Remodel
The biggest decision that will affect your budget is simply how in depth you want to go with your kitchen remodel. A kitchen remodel can mean many things, from simply painting, refreshing and replacing cabinet doors or countertops and hardware, to gutting the entire room and starting from scratch. It’s best to decide on your budget and work backwards from there to determine the amount of work you’re able to afford in the space you have. From there you can determine what changes are most important to you and what you are flexible on and allocate funds accordingly.
Determining your Budget
When determining your budget for a new kitchen, it’s important to keep in mind the value of the home as a whole. Building a kitchen that far exceeds the value of the rest of the home may not give you the return on your investment when it is time to sell, and building a kitchen that does not meet the value of the rest of the home could bring the selling price down. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, a good rule of thumb is to make your kitchen budget about 15-20% of your home’s total value. You may then want to decrease that budget and give yourself a cushion to work with for any unexpected costs during or after construction. However, we know that you can remodel a kitchen for less than that percentage of the home’s value.
Material Costs
Once you’ve decided on your budget, it’s time to allocate how much of it goes to which materials. Those working with a large budget will likely want to use custom cabinetry and hardware, marble countertops, and luxury appliances. For those with a more conservative budget, a beautiful and functional kitchen is still within reach. Generally speaking, cabinetry will account for the largest chunk of your budget, so it’s best to start there. Some homeowners choose to work with budget-friendly stock cabinetry to save costs, and thereby have more money to spend on other appliances and accessories. It’s not necessary to have all top-of-the-line appliances to have a great looking kitchen, so consider purchasing mid–level appliances if that will help you maintain your original budget. Keep in mind that beyond the cost of materials, there are also labor costs, which is why it’s best to work with a contractor all the way from the design stage to the building stage to ensure all aspects of your build from start to finish are accounted for.
Something Important to Keep in Mind
When budgeting and planning for your new kitchen, always keep in mind that nothing ever goes quite according to plan down to the penny…or even the dollar! We recommend that you include a contingency fund of 10-20% of your total budget to cover unexpected expenses or changes to the plan along the way. No matter how smoothly you think your remodel will go, unforeseen surprises often appear that can throw the entire project into a tailspin unless you have money set aside for those possibilities.
When you are ready to start planning for your new kitchen, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at US Kitchens and Baths. Or stop by our spacious showroom on Route 10 E. in East Hanover, NJ, with over a dozen different kitchen displays and speak to one of our experienced kitchen designers. We carry nine different cabinet manufacturers in every style, color and budget range, as well as six countertop and various hardware brands. Our highly skilled team of designers is here to help with determining your budget and using it efficiently while bringing your dream kitchen to life.
