Typical Kitchen Size and Spend

National Averages: National Kitchen and Bath Association

According to the NKBA, the national average for a medium size kitchen remodel is approximately $55,000. The approximate cost of a large kitchen remodel comes in at around $150,000. It is important to note that these averages encompass nationwide data. The NKBA releases this data for homeowners to gain a better understanding of overall spend for home remodeling projects.

Regional Averages: Hanley Wood Partners, Cost vs. Value Reports

Homeowners interested in kitchen remodel estimates are typically referred to the Cost vs. Value Report issued annually by Remodeling Magazine. Costs across the nation and by region are blended to produce generalized numbers offering average costs categorized by region. This provides homeowners with an accurate summary of what expenses they can expect for their kitchen remodel projects. 

While the Cost vs. Value Report is valuable, it excludes one thing: your thought process. It’s all too easy for homeowners to find an estimate on the matrix, and say, “Well, that must be it! Done!” While the report does provide accurate regional data for homeowners, it is best for homeowners to meet with a professional designer to discuss their wants and needs, and price points.

At Drury Design, we use the Cost vs. Value Report to help educate homeowners on recent trends within our region. Each remodel we complete is unique, and there isn’t one price tag that fits all. However, this data helps us to start and guide conversations with homeowners. 

The Cost. vs. Value Report below indicates the average values for the various tiers of kitchen remodels within the Chicago Midwest Region. The lowest small kitchen remodels recorded in this report were around $30,000 while high-end remodels, typical to the high-end kitchens Drury Design crafts, reported an average price tag of $160,000. To view the latest Cost vs. Value Report, click here. 

Homeowners should take a more measured approach to the issue of kitchen remodeling costs rather than insisting on a single concrete number. It’s important to consider and weigh all the cost estimates, and intersect those data points with what is included in each price point. Is it full service? 

Sounds complicated? You bet. Kitchen remodeling is complicated. However, with the right designer, you can feel educated in all your decisions throughout the process.

Often times designers here estimate your custom kitchen remodel cost by using the third, third, third rule of thumb. Designers use this method to begin a rough budget for you. Simply put, it is broken down based on where your money will go! One-third of the total cost will be custom cabinets, the second third will be the costs of appliances, countertops, and plumbing fixtures, and the final third of the costs consist of all necessary labor, which can include:

• Demolition and refuse
• General construction
• Materials installation
• Flooring costs

If you have a list of your preferred appliances, countertops, sinks and faucets, and tile backsplash, you can multiply the costs by three to gauge the price points you could be looking at. Keep in mind that this number is still a rough estimate, but it will give you a general idea of what to expect.

Drury Design Averages: Custom Kitchen Design Data

At Drury Design we complete around seventy remodeling projects a year, ranging in size from small to large kitchen remodels. Below we have provided the cost breakdown of our last twenty-four kitchen remodels. All projects completed by us are full-service, meaning included in the listed price is the design, 3D renderings, demo, framing, drywall, flooring, finish carpentry, electrical, cabinetry, tops, fixtures, mechanicals (i.e., electrical, plumbing, ventilation), and all other materials plus labor.  Of course, these prices vary based on size, scope, type of materials, and the intricacy of design. But, are right in line with the national averages provided above in the Cost vs. Value report with our lowest remodel coming in around $44,000 and highest at $195,000. We invite you to use this as another resource for you better grasp how costs can vary.

What’s Included in a Kitchen Remodel?

Small Kitchen Remodel

A small kitchen remodel will typically involve leaving cabinet boxes in place and replacing the front. While Drury Design doesn’t offer this, another option for some could be refacing the pre-existing cabinets to refresh or modernize their appearance. Typically a new major appliance like a refrigerator is added or replaced in a minor remodel. The project will not include changing the layout of the kitchen in any way. It is a good option for those who are happy with the core structure of their kitchen but want to refresh or revitalize its overall appearance. While the appearance will improve with such a modest improvement, the function does not. 

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel

A mid-range kitchen remodel goes a little further depending on the kitchen size and project scale. For a mid-range remodel, the overall structure and layout of the kitchen will not be altered in any way, but new stock off the shelf cabinets will be added, along with new appliances like an oven and refrigerator. Mid-range flooring and countertops will also be added. This is a good choice for those who want to overhaul the look and feel of their kitchen, without a total renovation.

High-end Kitchen Remodel

For a high-end kitchen remodel, this remodel completely changes the look and feel of the kitchen, along with a new, more functional floor plan and layout,  it incorporates new custom cabinets, high-end appliances like dishwashers and ranges, and luxury countertops and flooring. The overall structure, layout, and appearance of the kitchen will be transformed by this remodel, making it the best option for those who want a totally new, luxury-grade kitchen.

One of the biggest factors that influence the overall cost of a kitchen remodel is the size of the kitchen. If you only have a small kitchen, your project could be completed for less due to the fact there is less labor, materials, etc. But, for larger kitchens, the costs can escalate much higher.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs and Factors

Kitchens are an incredibly popular remodeling choice for homeowners. In fact, the National Association of Homebuilders claimed that major kitchen remodels accounted for 78% of projects last year, making it the second most popular home renovation.

Major kitchen remodels don’t have to be massive to make an impact. Kitchen remodeling costs tend to add up due to the emphasis on style and aesthetics, which typically involves removing walls and reconfiguring the layout. Small kitchen remodels tend to focus more on functionality than those based on aesthetics. When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, it’s important to consider your needs and wants. Ask yourself: What’s the reason you’re remodeling?

If you’re looking for precise estimates on kitchen remodeling costs, you can end up hitting a brick wall. The primary reason is that kitchen remodeling professionals cannot issue kitchen remodeling estimates from afar. It’s hard enough giving cost estimates when you’re on-site and familiar with the client and the kitchen. However, when a designer provides an estimate, he or she is dealing with a blend of competing factors, such as selected materials, the cost of those materials, when those materials are needed, labor costs, size of the space, and so on. Once you have locked down a rough estimate, other factors get introduced (season, locale, drywall, lumber prices are up—you name it) and everything changes once again.

Since there are so many smaller projects included in a complete kitchen renovation, it’s important to know which ones are the most expensive. This can help you budget accordingly and decide where it’s worth saving some money.

Cabinetry

The most expensive remodel item in a kitchen is new cabinetry. It makes up 27-30% of the entire kitchen cost. At Drury Design all our cabinetry is custom made for your project for perfect fit and finish. We carry three luxury brands: Rutt, Grabill, and Mouser. 

Labor & Appliances

Next is the overall cost of labor/installation. When you hire a kitchen remodeling professional, you can expect to spend 17-25% of the entire budget on installation services. This is the one area where we recommend erring on the side of caution if your urge is to save and hire cheap labor and unskilled tradesmen. This usually ends producing disastrous results, forcing homeowners to spend thousands of dollars to redo a poorly-done job. Make sure you hire an experienced kitchen design professional. Professional craftsmen typically factor into the total in a range from 15% to 25%. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) suggests 17% as the median. However, this percentage will vary depending on the size of the space and the features you install. All in all, hiring a kitchen remodeling professional is the best way to get a beautifully-redesigned kitchen and for the most bang for your buck.

Countertops

As you may have guessed countertops are another expensive item, accounting for about 10% of the total remodel cost. In 2020, quartz countertops have definitively won over granite in the hearts and minds of homeowners. Other popular choices include natural wood butcher block counters, concrete, laminate, glass, tile, and Corian. 

Flooring

Next up is flooring, which accounts for approximately 7-9% of the total budget. Porcelain and ceramic tile is a popular kitchen flooring choice that is reasonably priced. Installing hardwood or natural stone tile runs on the expensive side. Materials such as engineered wood, vinyl plank, and linoleum flooring are more budget-friendly options.

Usually, all the other items that are included in a kitchen remodel such as new paint, backsplash, lighting, are 3-4% of the total budget each. 

If you’re just starting your kitchen remodeling journey, things can often feel overwhelming. After all, there are a lot of details and costs to keep track of, and it’s often unclear where to start. No matter where you are in the remodeling process, we recommend bringing a professional design expert into the mix.

Our team at Drury Design lives and breathes kitchen remodeling. Our professionals not only have an eye for great design, but they can advise you on what other homeowners have been doing, what’s trending, and what tends to deliver the best value.

Getting started is easy! To have one of our design professionals come to your home to take measurements and talk about your kitchen remodeling cost estimates and options, drop us a line at 630-469.4980

Alternatively, stop by our conveniently located Glen Ellyn showroom, meet with our on-site designers, and check out our selection of new counters, cabinets, flooring, and more.

How to Budget a Kitchen Remodel

With so many options and decisions for a kitchen remodel, you have to create a budget and stick to it as much as possible. Before writing out a budget, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:

What do I want in a kitchen?
What can I afford?
How will I use the kitchen (cooking, entertaining, studying, working, etc.)
How long can I go without a kitchen?
Are we planning to sell in the near future?

In an ideal situation, you can allocate your budget as follows: cabinets (25%), appliances (20%), countertop (15%), lighting (10%), plumbing (10%), flooring (5%), and an additional 10% for installation. What you spend on your remodel may not, of course, be quite the same in terms of distribution. For example, if you’re only refinishing your countertop instead of replacing it, you may be able to allocate more of your budget for lighting.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Factors

When estimating the cost of a kitchen remodel, there are various factors to keep in mind. The most important include budget, longevity, and what other homeowners in the neighborhood are doing with their spaces. By planning around these factors, it’s possible to come out with results that meet expectations, last for a long time, and recoup most of their original cost in the resale.

Longevity

When planning for this project, ask yourself how long you plan to live in your house from the time of the remodel. If you plan to sell shortly after, you shouldn’t spend too much money on it. The rule of thumb is that you should spend between 15% and 20% of your property’s total value. This is the optimum range for homeowners to spend and expect to recoup.

However, what we see more of in our line of work is homeowners creating a space for themselves. A space that will optimize and enhance their lifestyle, thus they are willing to spend a little extra to get the results they have dreamed of. If you plan to remain in your house for years, then you should consider splurging on items like new countertops, appliances, cabinets, and flooring. The fact you’ll be living in the house for years to come means that you could save money on repair or replacement because they last longer. It also means that you continue to find value in their repeated use. If you plan to live in your house for years or decades after the renovation, there’s no point in spending money and only making small changes! 

Neighborhood

While this applies more to sellers than to lifetime homeowners, the neighborhood you live in should reflect the kind of changes you make. Typically your kitchen should not be significantly more understated or overstated than others in the neighborhood. This could reflect poorly when potential buyers are perusing and comparing properties in the area.

Ideally, you want a renovation that brings out the best qualities of the room and complements your house. Avoid any colors, styles, and other design qualities that will disrupt the overall scheme of your house. Again, we see most people remodeling for reasons other than resale in which case you need not worry about the status quo of your neighbors, create a space you will truly love!