Planning a kitchen renovation can be a challenging task, and the kitchen design phase may feel like a rollercoaster of excitement and stress. An ideal kitchen design will be beautiful, and also be custom made to work well for you and your family. “How much will my kitchen remodel cost?” is probably top of mind after you’ve been considering your dream kitchen remodel. We’re here to help you navigate that question! Keep reading to learn more about what to expect when planning a kitchen remodel.
Kitchen Renovation Budget
When taking one of the first steps of determining the budget for your new kitchen, understanding the average costs is a great starting point. On average for a Washington DC kitchen remodel cost without changing the floor plan can range $50k-80k* for a mid-range remodel cost. A high end kitchen remodel cost is more likely to run between $80k-$120k*. The difference in these always falls on quality and longevity; a high-end material and finish always upholds the best and usually the longest. Your personal design selections will greatly impact the cost. When it comes to remodeling there is no one size fits all. When beginning the process of understanding your DC kitchen remodel budget, factoring in the industry average cost of ~15% of a home’s value is a great starting point. When furthering a budget breakdown for your new kitchen remodel, the following are the estimated percentages recommended by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).
- Cabinetry & Hardware: 29%
- Installation/Labor: 17%
- Appliances & Ventilation: 14%
- Countertops: 10%
- Flooring: 7%
- Walls & Ceilings: 5%
- Lighting: 5%
- Design Fees: 4%
- Doors & Windows: 4%
- Faucets & Plumbing: 4%
- Other: 1%
Kitchen Design & Remodel Inspiration Board
When in your kitchen design phase, we encourage our clients to start off with an inspiration board for what their dream materials and finishes are. Once light is shed upon this, we like to focus on reverse engineering the process by starting with a budget in mind and selecting materials that fit within the budget parameters. It is always a good idea to have a Plan A and Plan B options for appliances, countertops, tile—just about everything. If you keep a running list of alternatives, a designer can add or delete items to meet your budget.
Kitchen Cabinets
When it comes to choosing kitchen cabinets there are lots of options on the market. With a little research, you can find a wide range of designs that meet the needs of every style and budget. Any quality Washington DC design build firm will stress to add kitchen cabinets of good quality in order to stand the test of time. As a pro tip: use smart storage solutions for items you don’t use every day (e.g. fine china in a hidden, strategically placed cabinet underneath the seating area at your island).
Kitchen Backsplash
A kitchen backsplash’s primary purpose is to protect the wall from liquids. But it also serves as the decor focal point of your kitchen remodel. It defines the style of your kitchen, radiating your personality and reflecting the mood and feel of your cooking area. Unlike your kitchen cabinets, your kitchen’s backsplash can be something trendy; due to its versatility. It can easily be changed in the future and is not something that would break the bank.
Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops are one of the most important decisions of a kitchen remodeling budget. When choosing the material for the kitchen countertop, the largest factors to consider are cost and the impact from the aesthetics and practical function of your kitchen. Keep in mind that the chosen material can also serve as an important, focal design element for your kitchen remodel; a quality, fitting countertop also makes your kitchen more useful and easier to maintain. Bottom line: every inch counts in your kitchen remodel budget, so always pursue quality when and where it’s needed.
Kitchen Flooring
From hardwood to porcelain and vinyl to cork flooring, choosing material for the kitchen floors may seem like a daunting task. As the social hub of the home, the flooring in your kitchen should be highly resilient, easy to clean, and durable enough to withstand constant foot traffic. When choosing your flooring material, remember that not every material is well suited for this particular location; some materials will last longer and some will require less maintenance than others. In order to make the right decision for your kitchen remodel, make sure that your choice is a solid balance of style, function and comfort. The floor you choose affects every other element of your design and with the variety of materials, colors and textures available today, your choices are nearly endless.
Kitchen Lighting
Like every other element of the kitchen remodel process, lighting serves a large purpose in its own regard. The way we light our home environment, and specifically our kitchen, affects the functionality of the space and how we feel when we’re spending time there. Unfortunately, lighting tends to be the last critical line item/sliver of the kitchen remodel budget leftover that is to be addressed. To improve the quality and depth of your kitchen space, lighting is the “x-factor” that people tend to overlook during a kitchen remodel; instead many people simply accept the existing lighting and don’t think about changing it to improve their kitchen. Nowadays, with more people entertaining at home than before, the kitchen tends to be the main entertainment area. To ensure the lighting’s proper functionality as well as creating the right ambiance, a kitchen remodel must have the right amount of layered lighting that’s strategically placed by your Washington DC design build firm.
Home Remodeling Washington DC
Your home is your sanctuary, and every room in your home should fit your needs in particular, and decorated to your taste. From an easy meal prep after a long day at work to boasting over your new design to friends while entertaining, your kitchen should embody every detail that you’ve been dreaming of. Are you ready to take your first step in bringing your dream kitchen to life? Contact our team of DC kitchen remodel experts to get started on your home renovation project! From whole home renovations to home additions, and kitchen and bathroom remodels, our team is in your corner and ready to serve you! Send us an email at consultation@hammerbygb.com to get started, or call us at (202) 559-3990. *These figures are presented without appliances factored in and does not indicate the cost of your individual remodel.