A new kitchen is a fun thing to think about, but you must be creative about how to update your kitchen without spending a lot of money. Though you might have great ideas for your kitchen, they are unlikely to be put into action if they are too expensive. Setting a realistic kitchen remodeling budget doesn’t mean giving up on your vision. It means getting smart about where to spend and where to save.
It’s not easy to remodel a kitchen on a budget, but you need to do it if you want to get a new kitchen and enjoy it without going totally broke. With the right approach and guidance from an experienced kitchen and bath remodeling company, you can create the space you want while keeping your finances intact. There are many ideas for how to do it and ways to make sure the job stays within budget.
You can use these 12 tips to help you stick to your kitchen remodeling budget, whether you want to do a budget kitchen remodel or just need some help. You can update your kitchen without spending a lot of money if you follow these 12 tips.
1. Understand the Different Types of Kitchen Remodels
Your kitchen remodel costs depend a lot on what type of project you’re planning:
Minor Kitchen Remodel
This usually means keeping your existing cabinets but maybe painting them, adding new countertops, updating fixtures, and maybe installing a new sink. The kitchen layout stays the same, and you’re mostly giving everything a fresh look.
Average Remodel
This middle-ground approach might include new stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinets, new countertops, fresh flooring, updated lighting fixtures, and maybe new appliances. You’re not moving walls, but you’re making significant upgrades.
Major Remodel
This involves completely changing your kitchen with custom cabinetry, premium materials, high-end appliances, and possibly major structural changes like removing walls, moving plumbing, or changing the layout. Complete remodels often include a kitchen island or expanding into nearby rooms.
Knowing which type of remodel you want helps set realistic budget expectations from the start. A minor remodel might be perfect if you like your kitchen’s layout but need updates, while only a major remodel will transform a tiny galley kitchen into an open-concept dream kitchen.
2. Break Down Your Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Percentage
Smart homeowners divide their kitchen remodel budget into categories. Here’s a typical breakdown of where your money goes:
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Cabinets and Hardware: 30-40% of total budget
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Countertops: 10-15% of total budget
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Appliances: 10-15% of total budget
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Installation Labor: 15-25% of total budget
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Flooring: 5-10% of total budget
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Lighting Fixtures: 5% of total budget
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Plumbing Fixtures: 5% of total budget
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Unexpected Issues/Contingency: 15-20% of total budget
This means if your overall budget is $30,000, you might spend $9,000-$12,000 on cabinets alone. Looking at these percentages helps you understand where your money goes and makes planning easier.
3. Calculate Your Costs Per Square Foot
Kitchen remodel costs are often measured per square foot. This helps compare prices between contractors and understand total project costs based on your kitchen size.
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Minor remodels: $100-$200 per square foot
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Average remodels: $200-$300 per square foot
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Major remodels: $300-$500+ per square foot
The average kitchen in America is about 160 square feet. So a middle-range remodel might cost around $40,000 (160 square feet × $250 per square foot).
Your square footage matters a lot! Smaller kitchens often cost less overall but more per square foot because certain fixed costs (like labor fees) don’t decrease much with size. Larger kitchens provide more ample room for features like islands but increase overall costs.
4. Plan Your Cabinet Budget Carefully
Cabinets usually eat up the biggest chunk of your kitchen remodeling budget. You have several options depending on what you can spend:
Refresh Existing Cabinets
The most budget-friendly option keeps your existing cabinetry but updates them. This might include painting, adding new hardware, or replacing doors while keeping the cabinet boxes. This works great when your cabinets are structurally sound but look dated.
Stock Cabinets
These come pre-made in standard sizes from home improvement stores. They arrive quickly (often within 1-2 weeks) and offer good quality at lower prices. The downside? Limited styles and sizes mean they might not fit perfectly in your space.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinetry offers a middle ground with more size options, better materials, and more style choices than stock cabinets. You’ll wait longer (usually 4-8 weeks), but get a more tailored look.
Custom Cabinetry
These made-to-order cabinets fit your space perfectly with exactly the features, materials, and look you want. Bespoke cabinetry takes longest to make (8-12 weeks) but offers unlimited options. They’re perfect for unusually shaped kitchens or when you want something truly unique.
Remember that cabinet costs are usually calculated per linear foot rather than per square foot. Most kitchens have 25-30 linear feet of cabinet space.
5. Choose Countertop Materials That Fit Your Budget
Countertop materials range dramatically in price and significantly impact both appearance and functionality:
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Laminate ($15-$40 per square foot installed): These budget-friendly countertops come in countless colors and patterns, including some that mimic stone. They’re easy to clean but can scratch and don’t handle high heat well.
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Solid Surface ($45-$75 per square foot installed): Materials like Corian offer a seamless look with good durability. They resist stains better than laminate but can still scratch and don’t handle high heat.
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Natural Stone ($50-$100+ per square foot installed): Materials like granite offer beautiful unique patterns and excellent durability. They handle heat well but require periodic sealing to prevent stains.
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Engineered Stone ($65-$130+ per square foot installed): Quartz countertops offer premium materials benefits without maintenance. They resist stains and scratches exceptionally well but come at higher price points.
The average kitchen has 30-40 square feet of countertop space. This means even changing from laminate to quartz could add $3,000+ to your project costs. New countertops make a huge visual impact, so many homeowners prioritize this upgrade.
6. Budget Realistically for Appliances
Kitchen appliances range from basic to professional-grade, with prices to match:
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Budget Package ($2,000-$4,000): Basic but functional appliances including a standard refrigerator, electric range, dishwasher, and microwave oven. These handle everyday cooking needs without special features.
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Mid-Range Package ($4,000-$8,000): Better quality appliances with more features, often including energy-efficient appliances that save money long-term. Might include a four-burner range with convection, French-door refrigerator, and quieter dishwasher.
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Luxury Package ($8,000-$20,000+): Professional-grade or smart appliances with premium finishes and advanced features. Might include induction cooking, built-in refrigeration, and specialized cooking appliances.
Remember that appliance costs include both purchase price and installation labor. Installing specific appliances like built-in refrigerators or professional ranges might require additional electrical or plumbing work, increasing costs further.
Energy efficient appliances often cost more upfront but save money over time. Look for ENERGY STAR ratings to compare expected savings.
7. Don’t Forget About Flooring Costs
Kitchen floor options vary widely in price and durability:
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Vinyl Flooring ($2-$7 per square foot + installation): Vinyl comes in sheets, tiles, or luxury vinyl planks. It’s water-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and very budget-friendly. Modern vinyl can convincingly mimic wood or tile.
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Laminate Flooring ($3-$7 per square foot + installation): Laminate offers good durability and easy installation. It looks more realistic than older vinyl but isn’t as water-resistant, making it tricky for kitchens.
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Ceramic Tile ($5-$15 per square foot + installation): Ceramic tile offers excellent durability and moisture resistance. It comes in endless styles but feels hard underfoot and installation costs more due to complexity.
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Hardwood/Engineered Wood ($8-$25 per square foot + installation): Wood floors add warmth and character but require more maintenance in kitchens. Engineered wood handles moisture better than solid hardwood.
New flooring transforms the entire kitchen, but installation adds significantly to material costs. Most installers charge $4-$8 per square foot for labor, depending on the flooring type. The layout of your kitchen affects costs too – galley kitchens with simple rectangular shapes cost less than kitchens with islands and complex angles.
8. Plan for Quality Lighting and Fixtures
Good lighting transforms how your kitchen looks and functions but often gets overlooked in budgeting:
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Task Lighting ($500-$1,500): Under-cabinet lights make food prep safer and easier. LED strips or puck lights are energy-efficient options that don’t generate much heat.
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Ambient Lighting ($300-$1,000): Overhead lights provide general illumination. Recessed lights cost $100-$200 each installed and most kitchens need 4-8 of them.
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Accent Lighting ($200-$800): Pendant lights over islands or decorative elements add style and focused light. These key fixtures often become design focal points.
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Plumbing Fixtures ($250-$1,200): A new sink and faucet impact both functionality and appearance. Basic stainless steel kitchen sinks start around $250, while farmhouse styles or specialty materials can exceed $1,000.
Don’t cut corners on lighting during a remodel – it significantly affects how your finished kitchen looks and feels. Planning for proper lighting during renovation costs much less than adding it later.
9. Factor in Labor Costs Realistically
Installation labor typically accounts for 15-25% of total kitchen remodeling costs. Labor fees vary based on your location and project complexity:
General Contractor (15-25% of total project): Managing all aspects of larger remodels, hiring and scheduling subcontractors, pulling permits, and ensuring work quality. Using a general contractor costs more but reduces stress and helps avoid mistakes.
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Cabinet Installation ($70-$130 per cabinet): Professional installation ensures cabinets are level, secure, and properly aligned. Most kitchens have 15-20 cabinets.
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Countertop Installation ($10-$30 per square foot): Professional installation prevents seam issues and ensures proper support. This often includes sink cutouts and installation.
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Flooring Installation ($4-$8 per square foot): Professional installation ensures proper subflooring, waterproofing, and finishing details.
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Electrical Work ($50-$100 per hour): Licensed electricians make sure new lighting fixtures and appliances have proper power and meet code requirements.
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Plumbing ($75-$130 per hour): Professional plumbers ensure proper connections for sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerator water lines. Moving plumbing significantly increases costs.
Labor costs vary widely depending on your location. The same work might cost 30-40% more in expensive urban areas compared to rural regions. Getting multiple quotes helps understand fair pricing in your specific area.
10. Include Permit Costs in Your Budget
Permit costs vary by location but typically run $500-$2,000 for kitchen renovations. Most locations require permits for:
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Changing electrical systems
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Moving or adding plumbing fixtures
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Removing or adding walls
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Major structural changes to the home
Permit fees protect you by ensuring work meets safety codes. Skipping permits might save money initially but can cause problems when selling your home or if insurance claims arise. Many contractors handle permit applications as part of their service.
11. Consider Professional Design Help
Professional design assistance can be worth every penny during your kitchen remodeling project, even if you’re trying to save money. Many homeowners skip this step thinking it’s an unnecessary expense, but a kitchen designer or interior designer often helps avoid costly mistakes that end up saving you more than their fees. Kitchen designers typically charge $100-$200 per hour, while interior designers range from $75-$250 per hour depending on experience and location. The good news? You don’t always need to hire someone full-time. Even a few hours of professional guidance can dramatically improve your results by helping plan efficient layouts, choosing complementary materials, and prioritizing where to splurge versus save.
Many kitchen specialists offer package deals that include design services, material selection, and project coordination. Don’t overlook free or low-cost design services from retailers either. Many home improvement stores and cabinet shops offer basic design help when you purchase cabinets or other major components from them. These services might not be as comprehensive as hiring an independent designer, but they can provide valuable guidance for budget-friendly projects.
Professional designers also often have access to trade discounts on materials and custom designs that you couldn’t get yourself, sometimes offsetting a portion of their fees through these savings. Think of design help as an investment that ensures your kitchen remodel budget gets spent wisely rather than an extra expense.
12. Save Room in Your Budget for Surprises
Every kitchen remodel encounters unexpected issues. Smart homeowners set aside 15-20% of their total budget as contingency funds. Common surprises include:
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Finding water damage under existing cabinetry
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Discovering outdated wiring that needs upgrading
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Finding uneven floors that need leveling
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Supply chain delays that affect timeline or prices
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Realizing additional finishing touches are needed
This contingency fund provides peace of mind and prevents project delays when surprises inevitably appear. If you don’t need it (rare but possible!), you can either save it or upgrade certain elements at the end of your project.
Ways to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel
Looking to cut costs without sacrificing quality? Try these proven strategies:
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Keep your kitchen layout: Avoiding moving plumbing and walls saves thousands.
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Refresh rather than replace: Painting existing cabinets and adding new hardware gives a fresh look for a fraction of the cost of new cabinets.
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Mix high and low materials: Splurge on showpiece countertops but save with standard subway tile backsplashes.
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Consider open shelving: Replacing some upper cabinets with shelving costs less and creates a more open feel.
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Shop floor models and closeouts: Display models and end-of-line appliances often sell at steep discounts.
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Do selective DIY: Handle simple tasks like painting or cabinet hardware installation yourself, but leave plumbing, electrical, and structural work to professionals.
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Phase your project: Complete your remodel in stages over time if budget is tight.
Achieve Your Dream Kitchen on a Budget
A minor kitchen remodel recoups about 96% of its cost in increased home value while major renovations return approximately 50-60%. Focus improvements on broad appeal rather than personal preferences when considering resale value. Kitchen remodeling success requires careful planning, realistic budgeting, and smart material choices.
The company OneStop Kitchen and Bath helps DMV area homeowners transform kitchens while staying within budget through expert design guidance and quality materials. Contact our licensed professionals to start planning your kitchen renovation today. Begin by deciding which type of remodel fits your needs and budget, then work through each category to build a realistic budget. Happy remodeling!
