Compared to other rooms in the house, homeowners typically spend the most money on remodeling their kitchen.
The overall cost of your Louisville kitchen remodel will be entirely dependent on the materials you choose and how big the job is.
The typical range is between $30,000 and $75,000 with the average kitchen remodel cost being roughly $40,000.
Cost Breakdown of a Kitchen Remodel
Design: This is the foundation of your kitchen remodel. The remodeling company will work with you to discuss your needs and wants, take exact measurements, and plan out how the space will look and function.
This service is often roughly 5% of your overall kitchen remodel cost and is worth every penny.
If your remodeling company does not have an in-house designer, be sure you work with a design team that will coordinate with contractors and suppliers to provide support through the entire remodel.
Plumbing & Electric: These kitchen remodel costs are usually minimal unless you’re changing the floor plan of your space or you have unexpected problems arise.
On average, you can expect to spend 5% of your budget for plumbing.
For electric, if you are just replacing light fixtures and other small electrical tasks, allow for 2% of the budget to go towards this.
If your remodel requires a complete rewire and/or you require major light packages, you need to allow 10-20% of your budget for this.
Painting: Refreshing the walls by painting can be a great addition to a kitchen remodel.
Although there isn’t always a lot of extra wall space, the fresh look takes up 7% of the kitchen remodel cost and can make a big impact.
Cabinets: This is typically the largest expense in your kitchen remodel costs. As the most substantial feature of the kitchen and the most used, it makes sense that the cabinetry will account for nearly 30% of your overall budget.
Cabinet costs vary between lower-end stock cabinets or more expensive custom cabinetry. This is one of the first decisions to make because it will often determine the style, color, and level of detail the rest of the kitchen requires.
Countertops: The national average for a countertop is around $3,000, but of course, this changes with the size and material of your countertop.
Plan on around 10-15% of your overall budget to be spent here.
This may be an area you’re comfortable splurging on because the countertops are such a focal point of the kitchen.
However, you can ask your remodeling contractor in Louisville, KY what materials may be available to provide the look you want but may save on overall kitchen remodel costs.
Backsplash: A simple backsplash may be added for just a few hundred dollars while others can add thousands to your project, depending on complexity and materials.
5% is a good amount to set aside for a backsplash.
Flooring: The flooring usually accounts for just 7% of your total kitchen remodel cost. This doesn’t seem like much, but that’s because kitchens don’t typically have a lot of flooring space.
Still, the material you choose is important because it must be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
If you opt for a more luxurious floor, like porcelain or ceramic tile, you need to increase your allowance to 10% of your budget.
Installation & Labor: This will account for about 30-40% of your total budget.
Your remodeling contractor should be able to tell you how much of the remodel budget is going towards labor.
Appliances: Replacing your old appliances for new ones generally make up about 15% of your total budget.
However, today’s luxury appliance options have increased that price significantly.
You can easily spend $10,000 or more on a high-end built-in fridge. This is an area where you’ll have to balance your priorities and choose what is most important to you.
How Much Does It Cost To Remodel a Kitchen in Louisville, KY?
The cost of labor, supplies, and materials can vary greatly depending on just your geographical location.
In Louisville, KY the average kitchen remodel cost is $40,000.
Here are the average ranges based on the level of renovation:
How Much To Spend on Remodeling Your Kitchen
There is a standard rule when it comes to how much you should spend on a kitchen remodel.
The kitchen should represent between 5% and 15% of the home’s value.
This means you should spend no less than 5% of your home’s value and no more than 15%.
So, if your home is worth $300,000 – a modest remodeling budget would be between $15,000 and $45,000.
Sticking in this range will ensure you get the maximum return on investment.
It’s also a good idea to set aside 10-20% for incidentals, changes in preferences, and unforeseen issues. That way you don’t go too much over your budget.
8 Ways To Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel
With a few strategic choices, you can achieve a stylish, high-quality remodel without breaking the bank.
1. Make a Plan: Too many homeowners rush through this step and head straight to the showroom. Start by making a detailed plan before you start shopping. This can prevent overspending and adding unnecessary add-ons.
2. Use Existing Kitchen Layout: Any kitchen layout can be remodeled to increase efficiency and functionality. Keeping your existing layout will save a lot of money. Work with a designer to make the best of what you have rather than knocking down walls and moving electrical or plumbing.
3. Do Some of the Work Yourself: Always leave the complicated work to the professionals, but there’s still plenty of work you can do yourself. Consider doing your painting, installing light fixtures, doing a backsplash, or completing other simple projects yourself.
4. Keep Your Existing Cabinets: New cabinets could bring a whole new look to your kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you have to rip out your old ones. Consider refacing your current cabinets or painting and replacing hardware to create the look you want without overspending on brand-new custom cabinets.
5. Add Open Shelving: This is a great way to make your kitchen look bigger, add more storage, and save money on cabinetry.
6. Buy Floor Model Appliances: When you’re shopping for appliances, be sure to check the scratch-and-dent aisle. Here you can find floor models of appliances that work perfectly well but have minor imperfections. Sometimes these scratches are barely noticeable or will be hidden by surrounding cabinets.
7. Be Realistic with Your Countertops: Everyone wants a beautiful white marble fancy countertop. But marble is expensive and damages easily. Granite and quartz countertops are also pricey. Luckily, there are less expensive options that will give you the look & functionality you want and not break your budget.
8. Be Creative with the Backsplash: While tile is a traditional backsplash material, this can be expensive to purchase and install. Instead, consider less expensive materials that still create a beautiful design like shiplap, beadboard, or even water-resistant wallpaper.
Turn Your Kitchen Into Something Beautiful
A kitchen remodel is a major undertaking. Making endless decisions and choosing dozens of products can be overwhelming. If you’re not careful, these choices can blow up your kitchen remodel costs quickly.
However, a thoughtful remodel can pay off every day as you enjoy your brand-new kitchen.
