Cost Information- Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a kitchen remodel?
Your goals for the project will help determine your budget. You’ll want to spend less, for example, if you’re just refreshing your kitchen before selling your home. But if you want a dream kitchen in a house where you plan to live for a while, you’ll want to invest more.
Many experts suggest that your kitchen should represent 10 to 20 percent of the fair-market value of your home. So if your home would sell for about $300,000, then spend between $30,000 and $60,000 on your kitchen improvements. If you spend less than 10 percent, the kitchen may not meet potential buyers’ expectations. If you spend more than 20 percent, you’re less likely to make your money back at resale.
How much can I expect to pay for a kitchen remodel?
The products and materials you choose will have the greatest impact on your new kitchen’s price tag. Some people may choose to spend more on appliances, while others want to put more money into cabinetry. It all depends on what's important to you and what your remodeling goals are.
According to the Cost Vs. Value Study, a joint study done by the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine, a major kitchen remodel at a mid-range price in Sacramento will run an average of $64,931. A year later, you can expect to recoup 78.9 percent of that. This 200-square-foot kitchen features a 3-by-5-foot island, 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, laminate countertops, and a double-bowl stainless-steel sink with single-lever faucet. Add new energy-efficient appliances: wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Finish up with new vinyl flooring and paint for the walls, trim and ceiling.
A major upscale kitchen remodel in Sacramento has an average price tag of $122,287 according to the report, with an ROI of 69.2 percent. It's an easy bill to run up in a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of custom cherry cabinets with interior accessories, natural stone countertops, and an imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash. Appliances include a built-in refrigerator, cooktop, 36-inch commercial-grade range and vent hood, built-in warming drawer, trash compactor and built-in microwave/convection oven. Then add a high-end undermount sink; designer faucets; built-in water filtration system; general, task and under-cabinet lighting; cork flooring; and cherry trim.
How much do I budget for my bath project and other remodeling projects for my home?
For information on costs for different types of remodeling projects in the Sacramento region, as well as other parts of the country, the 2009-2010 Cost Vs. Value report is available for download on the Hanley Wood website.
According to the report, the average cost of a midrange bath remodel in Sacramento is $19,456 and recoups 72.1% of value. The average cost of an upscale bath remodel in Sacramento is $60,497 and recoups 68.4% of value.
Do I need to work with a designer?
A designer takes the guesswork out of the design process without taking you out of the equation. The designer will keep you from getting bogged down in details that can throw your planning off track. You’ll be free to dream, while the designer thinks through all the measurements, material coordination, and construction logistics.
When it comes to cabinetry, an incorrect measurement as nominal as 1/2" can cause major problems—and a major gap. A designer is not only trained to professionally execute the technical aspects, but has practical experience that may be outside your sphere—for instance, knowing that the walls in vintage homes are often slanted, a crucial detail if you want your cabinetry to lay flush to the wall.
You might want a food pantry, for example, but you can’t quite figure out where it would fit so you decide to go without it. A designer, based on her experience with similar kitchens and her specialized training, might know exactly how to create a specialized cabinet, or might be aware of a manufacturer that fabricates extra narrow pullout models.
How much do designers charge?
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, designers may charge a fee of $50 to $150 per hour or a retainer of $300 to $5,000 per job. Sometimes the designer’s payment will be taken off the total cost of the job if you end up buying your kitchen from him or her. This could occur if your designer is part of a kitchen and bath dealership or design-build firm that sells products and provides remodeling services.
Dream Builders Home Remodeling, Design, Kitchens, Baths, Cabinetry, El Dorado Hills, Sacramento
893 Embarcadero Drive, Ste. 103, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
