It’s that time of year when many of us are looking at our budgets and making plans for the New Year. If a kitchen renovation is part of your planning, finding out how much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Wilmington, DE would be a smart first step. Once you have some idea of the costs and expenses associated with renovating, you can start to set aside the funds you need to create the kitchen of your dreams.
Major Vs. Minor Renovation
To start with, you have to determine if you want to do a major overhaul or a minor renovation. In a major kitchen renovation, layouts or walls might move. It’s likely that plumbing and electrical would need to be re-worked by professionals in order for the new space to be effective as well.
In a more traditional or minor kitchen project, the general footprint of the space remains the same. According to Realtor.com, a minor kitchen remodel returns approximately 81%+ of the costs incurred and a major kitchen remodel may only return around 54% of the investment, based on current averages.
However, for most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home and where much of our daily life happens. Having a space that meets that need and creates memories for years to come is important!
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Kitchen in Wilmington, DE
While pricing for any home renovation project can vary across the country, there are several factors that go into creating the budget and plan.
To get started, you have to look at what is going to be included within your kitchen remodel? The breakout of items to decide include:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Flooring
- Lighting fixtures
- Appliances
- Countertops
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Trim and Finishes
In addition to these items, there are the costs for any wall or home layout changes (including labor and materials), architect or kitchen design expenses, permits and fees.
Kitchen Cabinets
In many kitchen renovations, it’s not the work “behind the walls” that is the most expensive, it’s the finishes that homeowners choose! Kitchen cabinets frequently can be the biggest expense. There are several ways to insure you don’t break the bank when you choose your cabinets and their features. Kitchen manufacturers will say that you need all the add-on items, but carefully look before you decide. In addition, mixing cabinetry is another way to save. Perhaps have some details or colored cabinets on the island or peninsula piece and choose more stock cabinets for other areas.
Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet hardware is not nearly as costly as the cabinets themselves, but it’s important to choose hardware that will match the character of your kitchen as well as the coloring and beauty of it. If you’re not using the default hardware that comes with the cabinets, plan to spend a couple hundred dollars on new hardware to make your cabinets something special.
Flooring
When it comes to flooring, there are many more choices than there were just a few years ago. Today’s homeowners have their choice of laminate, tile, hard wood, bamboo options, concrete and more.
This is another area where many home renovations get off budget. A secret tip is to kitchen budgeting is to get an idea of what you’re looking for and then explore variations that can give you the overall look but at a lesser price. For example, heart of pine flooring is truly lovely, but a laminate or Pergo floor in a similar tone might create the overall effect for a lot less!
Lighting Fixtures
Having the right lighting in the right places is critical in the kitchen. Give yourself permission to splurge on a few lighting pieces that create a “WOW!” effect when you walk in. Consider installing lighting over the island, peninsula or kitchen table if there’s space.
Appliances
Appliances can range from budget model packages that cost around $1000 plus installation to ENERGY STAR or custom appliance packages that can cost between $3,000-$10,000 based on brands, models and features. Choices for appliances should be based on how you use your kitchen as well as the price point of the home. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/kitchens/remodel-a-kitchen/#appliances
Countertops
Like lighting, your countertops can make a statement for anyone that comes into your home. A little splurge here can have a big impact on the overall appearance of your kitchen.
Like flooring, countertop options have widened significantly in the last few years. At the lower price points, there’s laminate and tile. Then moving up to Corian or Silestone quartz countertop options as well as various granites. Granite pricing can vary from affordable to costly, depending on which granite you choose. Other newer options that have become popular are marble and concrete counters.
Trim and Finishes
These details can make a tremendous impact on the overall look, feel and usability of the space. Going through each item carefully to determine those that you need versus those that are simply “nice to have” will help you keep an eye on your costs and budget.
Electrical and Plumbing
Your plumbing and electrical expenses are going to be based on all the other decisions that you make regarding your kitchen and the space available. Current code requirements in your area will also factor into what is being done. Finding quality contractors that can provide you with the features you need as well as the results that you want is critical.
How Much Should I Budget for Kitchen Remodel?
The average cost of remodeling a kitchen in Wilmington DE in 2022 will vary quite a bit depending on what’s being done. A modest kitchen remodel may cost as little as $12,000, while major remodels may cost more than $40,000.
This means that kitchen budgeting can be tough, especially considering how much variation there is between minor and major remodels. Most homeowners need to seek quotes from contractors before they can make a firm budget. When you meet with a kitchen remodeling contractor, you can get a kitchen remodel cost breakdown for the type of remodel that you’re hoping to perform.
Meet with your kitchen remodeling contractor to discuss your goals and kitchen budget breakdown. Know your “must haves” versus your “nice to haves.” Have an approximate total cost in mind when you’re talking to your contractor, but don’t feel a firm commitment to that cost.
For example, you may tell your contractor that you’d like to spend an amount around $25,000, but you could go as much as $5,000 higher. If you have a total not to exceed cost, tell your kitchen remodeling contractor that as well. Your contractor will be able to tell you if your expectations are realistic, and if not, may be able to suggest alternatives that can help you meet your goals.
If you’re simply swapping out fixtures and replacing your flooring, you may be able to keep your kitchen remodel below the cost of $20,000. If you’re redesigning your kitchen, expect to pay more.
Wilmington Kitchen Remodels
“Kitchens Should Be Designed Around What’s Truly Important – Fun, Food and Life.” Daniel Boulud, Chef/Restaurateur
As you can, see there are places where a kitchen remodel can save on costs, such as in selecting kitchen cabinets. And then there are some places where the pricing is going to be based on your design and layout, such as plumbing and electrical, and there’s little that can be done. Kitchen renovations in Wilmington, DE, like many places around the country, have a wide range in pricing. The average cost for most kitchen remodels is approximately $25,046 in the Wilmington area.
For more information on kitchen remodeling and kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid and to get our FREE Kitchen Pricing Guide for 2019, Click Here! We serve homeowners in the communities of Wilmington, North Wilmington, Greenville, Hockessin, Brandywine, Pike Creek, Newark, Bear, New Castle, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Smyrna, Dover, Landenburg PA, Kennett Square PA, and Chadds Ford PA. Call Bromwell Construction Company LLC to get an estimate!