How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost?

Renovating a kitchen can add a lot of value to your home, which is great news if you’re planning on selling your property in the near future. Before you grab the hammer and start demoing those old cabinets though, it’s important that you know the basics—including what you can expect in terms of a total kitchen renovation cost. Because all of that reward doesn’t come without risk, and as you might expect, renovating a kitchen isn’t always a budget-friendly endeavor.

An outdated kitchen can be a major detraction for home buyers—and even a potential deal breaker. It might also make all of the difference between living in a home that you love and a home that you simply like. But when considering a kitchen renovation—cost, design, and so on—it’s crucial that you take into consideration some kitchen remodel basics, including what the most valuable route is for you to take.

Not all kitchen renovations are valued equally. And you may be surprised to learn that a modest remodel (such as painting the cabinets and swapping out that old sink for something a little bit more modern) actually has a higher potential return than going big and completely upgrading the space. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, you can expect an 80.5% return on investment for a minor, mid-range kitchen renovation. A major mid-range kitchen reno will garner you a return of 62.1%, and a major upscale kitchen reno a return of just 59.7%. So when you’re considering kitchen renovation cost, keep in mind that spending more doesn’t always equate to earning more back.

Regardless of how big of a renovation you take on, you’ll need to break it down into its component parts in terms of pricing. Follow the kitchen renovation cost breakdown below to figure out how to best budget for your project.

The Average Kitchen Renovation Cost

We’ll break down the specifics, but let’s start big picture. The average kitchen renovation cost in the United States is $25,047—or $150 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor, with most renovators spending between $13,160 and $37,011 to get the job done.

Your own kitchen renovation cost will depend largely on what upgrades you include. A mid-range kitchen remodel includes things like painting walls and cabinets, adding a backsplash, and installing new fixtures and cabinet hardware. An upscale kitchen remodel includes new high-end appliances, new flooring, new countertops, and other more costly upgrades.

Figure out your budget and then work backwards, determining what you’re trying to achieve, which upgrades you can afford, and what kind of return you’re hoping to get.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown

There are lots of different expenses included in a final kitchen renovation cost, as outlined below. Here’s how the breakdown looks, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Prices are based on the average noted above of $25,047, though keep in mind that your specific breakdown may vary slightly.

Design Fees – 4% / $920

A kitchen renovation starts with a vision, and many homeowners need some help putting that vision together. Working with a professional designer to draw up a plan for your renovation can help you create the most stylish, functional, and cost-effective space, but it’ll cost a small percentage of your total budget.

Installation Fees – 17% / $3,910

Labor is a major factor to consider in any home renovation. If you’re not doing the job yourself, about 17% of your total budget will go toward hiring others to do it.

Appliances and Ventilation – 14% / $3,220

Appliances and ventilation are another big cost with any kitchen renovation, but can make a big difference when it comes to your final return.

Cabinetry and Hardware – 29% / $6,670

The biggest chunk of your kitchen renovation budget is almost always going to go to cabinetry and hardware. Fortunately, you can cut this cost by choosing to refinish the existing cabinets in the space instead of completely replacing them.

Countertops – 10% / $2,300

New countertops can completely change the look of a kitchen, and are definitely something to keep high on the priority list when you’re doing a renovation—just be sure you allot enough of the budget toward it.

Lighting – 5% / $1,150

Swapping out lighting is another update that makes a big impact in the final appearance of the space. Add on more if you want to install recessed lighting or under-cabinet lighting.

Flooring – 7% / $1,610

How much of your kitchen renovation goes toward flooring depends on how big the space is and what kind of flooring material you choose to upgrade with. If your budget is tight, price out different flooring materials to see what gets you the best bang for your buck.

Doors and Windows – 4% / $920

If you want to update the doors and windows in your kitchen it will cost you about 4% of the total kitchen renovation cost. However, if you’re not updating these features in the rest of your home then it might be one expense to skip.

Walls and Ceilings – 5% / $1,150

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. Set aside about 5% of your total budget for wall and ceiling repairs and refreshes.

Faucets and Plumbing – 4% / $920

A new sink and faucet are one of the minor kitchen upgrades that offer a big return, so it’s a good idea to keep this cost on the budget list.

Other – 1% / $230

It’s always smart to leave room for incidental costs. While the average according to the NKBA is just 1% of your total budget, set aside a bit more just in case.

Size Matters

The size of your kitchen space is one of the most important determining factors when figuring out your total kitchen renovation cost. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for a kitchen that’s 70 square feet or smaller is $5,000 to $20,000. A medium-sized kitchen renovation (71-150 square feet) will run closer to the range of $15,000 to $40,000, and a large kitchen (151+ square feet) will be the most costly with an average range of $30,000 to $60,000 and up.

If you were planning on knocking down walls to create a bigger space, consider instead putting that money toward making the existing space as well designed and functional as possible. You’ll probably be able to get away with spending a lot less for a kitchen that looks just as great, even if there’s not quite so much room to move around.

How to Cut Costs in a Kitchen Renovation

1. Do as much of the work yourself as you can. The more labor and installation you can do yourself, the less you’ll have to set aside for paying others. Some things like plumbing and electrical work should always be done by professionals since they need to be up to specific codes, but consider tackling pricey work like flooring and countertop installation yourself and cut down your total kitchen renovation cost.

2. Work with what you’ve already got. An impressive kitchen remodel doesn’t necessarily require completely scrapping all of the original materials. Always save cabinets if you can (or at least save the casings and only replace the facing and hardware), and save any wood you rip out during demo, too—you may be able to use it to build a kitchen island or a bench for a breakfast nook.

3. Swap upper cabinets for shelving. So long as there will still be sufficient storage, why not opt for open shelving instead of upper cabinets? This rustic look is on trend, and a lot more affordable to implement.

4. Find more affordable alternatives to high end upgrades. Get the same look for less by choosing cheaper alternatives to upscale upgrades. For example, choosing to go for wood-appearing vinyl or laminate for the floors instead of true hardwood will save you a ton of money, and is more durable too. And why pay big money for marble countertops when you can get a similar look with formica designed to look like marble? Not only is it cheaper, it’s also a lot less porous.

5. Maximize storage without adding space. Make the most of the space without expanding it by adding as much storage potential as possible to what you’re already working with. Things like in-cabinet dividers and double pull out shelves make what you’ve already got a whole lot more functional and don’t cost a ton to put into place.

Your total kitchen renovation cost depends on a lot of factors, but there are always way to do it on more of a budget. Break down your individual project using the averages outlined above, and then see where you can pinch your pennies for an upgraded space that only looks like it cost a million bucks.