The number one question we get asked is how much will it cost? That’s an incredibly valid, yet difficult, question to answer because of the many factors to consider. This is one of the main reasons many homeowners in the DC Metro area have a difficult time determining their goals and setting a realistic budget for their kitchen remodel without the help of a professional. Sure, you could search the Internet or watch home improvement television for estimates and ideas, but those sources are often unreliable with misinformation and misrepresentations. Home improvement television often does not include the cost of appliances, custom features, design fees, or infrastructure expenses, e.g. the movement of electrical lines, plumbing lines, structural changes, ventilation and so on.  Additionally, their timetables often don’t include time for design, code approval, scheduling, product ordering, and other factors, giving homeowners unrealistic and unachievable expectations.

Online resources also do not account for the myriad of variables and decisions that can influence the cost of your kitchen. Imagine trying to estimate the cost of buying a new car without knowing the make, model, or special features that you want. That’s what online resources attempt to do when offering budgeting guidance for new kitchens.   

The major factors that influence the cost of your new kitchen include:

• Goals of the remodel
• Size of the kitchen
• Scope of the renovation
• Quality and type of selected materials and finishes 
• Quality of the renovation plan 
• Quality of plan implementation

Cabinets are the most influential product in the aesthetic design of a kitchen. The cost of cabinets is driven by door style, material and finish. Simply changing the style or finish of a cabinet can increase cost by 10 to 30 percent. Furthermore, cabinets are also key to the longevity of your kitchen. That’s why they are often considered the backbone of the kitchen. It’s much easier to replace an appliance or two than to completely change your cabinetry. This is why you should invest in cabinets that can withstand the test of time.

Keys to controlling costs include:

• Depend on a single source to coordinate and manage the entire project. Working with multiple suppliers for appliances, cabinets, countertops, lighting, etc. takes more time, is almost impossible to coordinate and will almost always cost more than working with a single source that can put all the pieces of the puzzle together and maintain an agreed-to budget.
• Make a complete plan and budget and make sure you stick to it. Don’t start demolition until you’ve specified all of the products and finishes you need and an order schedule is established. When you change your mind, you delay the project’s completion and increase your cost. Recent industry surveys found changing scope during the course of a renovation is the reason why 33 percent of kitchen renovation projects go over budget.

The best way to establish a realistic and achievable budget for your new kitchen is to give us a call at 240-821-5257 or make an appointment to visit us at one of our showrooms located in Kensington, Beltsville, and Cumberland, MD. Let us expertly guide you through all the variables that influence cost and provide recommendations to help ensure your dreams are realized!