I think this might actually be a hard range to hit. I'm installing an L shaped kitchen and the initial cabinet bids were $10K from Martha Stewart's HD line and $16k from a cabinet shop/CKD. If I go with the kitchen shop, I'm going to be pressed up against $30k in the blink of an eye - even with what settles in as the midrange in appliances around here (GW, not my town).

While the MS and the cabinet shop bids are not exactly apples to apples construction and inserts wise, it seems that construction costs are what are going to get me. If I go with MS, I can probably bounce in at $20-30K with a little breathing room.

Right now I am reworking my plan to reduce the construction costs and get the job re-bid.

Where you live and whether you are DIY or not will greatly affect the cost. In a lower cost area done all DIY might have all the same features as a kitchen is a higher cost area not done DIY. The difference is one will be alot less than the other but they are basically the same kitchen.

We are planning a renovation that will fall in that range (probably closer to 30k). No pictures to show as we haven't started demo yet. It's a small kitchen (about 100 sq. ft.) and the project will be primarily DIY. We will have mid-range appliances, Dutch Wood custom cabinets (thanks to GW), mid-range granite, and new hardwood floors on the whole 1st floor (about 450 sq. ft.). We will also be removing a non-load bearing wall, but plumbing won't be moving. Floor plan, elevations, and appliance selections can be seen on my blog. If it wasn't DIY, the cost would be at least 40k.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sherri's Kitchen Blog

It depends too if you are looking for a totally new kitchen - floor, appliances etc or just replacing the cabinets and maybe new lighting and backsplash.

Ours was a little over 30,000- removed and moved a window was the extent of the construction, we kept the original floor, and got an excellent deal on our appliances.

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Ours was done for around 22k. It was a DIY project, shopped for great deals on appliances, flooring.

Here's a link from when it was on Cote de Texas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas article w/ my kitchen-before & after photos

CKGM, I have the exact same floor as you. Its neutral enough that it will go with most styles, so I am keeping the flooring to save some money.

No hijack intended but how in the 'H' did you do that for 22K, Bee?
Wow. I thought I was impressed before!

What do you want your $20- 30k to include? Cabinets, counters, appliances, floor, lights, sinks, faucets, etc.? Materials only or installed?

Sometimes doing the math is just sickening.

I guess I am looking for kitchens to include new cabinets, new countertop, new sink and faucets, mid level appliances, keeping the existing floor and lights with only a few DIY.

Sixtyohno - I love your kitchen and referred to it often in my planning as it was one of only a handful that I could find with a similar color palate! Beautiful!

My kitchen is small, but came in definitely shy of $30K. We got everything we wanted (even higher-end appliances and quartz countertops) and honestly, the only DIY was the painting done by my husband and the design/purchasing/budgeting done by me (with the help of GW, of course). We didn't do major structural changes which helped, and we also worked with an amazing (and affordable and highly recommended) contractor who was fair and flexible. We live in Brooklyn - one of the most expensive areas in the states - and it was totally possible.

GW has tons of great advice (like plan, plan, plan, wait for sales on cabinets, bundle appliances, etc. - all of which we did) and sources (like Horton Brasses, Artwalk Tile, AJ Madison - all of which we used) so this is the right place to help you stay on budget!

Here is a link that might be useful: My Galley Kitchen

Mine is a new build and I haven't taken any real pictures of it yet - just a few with my phone. My cabinets were around $11,500 (not including labor), my granite was $4500 (installed), my sinks and faucets were $1500 or so, and my appliances were $5500-$6000. Here are a couple of pictures:

I like all the backsplash. That's gonna be impossible for me to pick. mpagmom, what brand of cabinet did you use?

Lilymila, my cabinets are Amish, and they are extremely well-made for the price.

Oh wow, that's an excellent deal.

Ours was right around 22, 000 for everything minus the electricity and plumbing. It was a brand new home so we just got one price for each of those services. The rest of the kitchen was done by my husband.

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY kitchen in MD

Ours was right around 22, 000 for everything minus the electricity and plumbing. It was a brand new home so we just got one price for each of those services. The rest of the kitchen was done by my husband.

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY kitchen in MD

We ended up somewhere around $26,000. This included the DIY removal of a bank of cabinets over the peninsula and a stub wall where the new pantry is now, the removal of old cabs and installation of new, and backsplash. We hired out the counter tops, extensive new wiring, moving a gas line for the stove, minor plumbing, and installation of flooring (an unexpected expense). It includes the purchase of the new sink and faucet, all new lights, switches, and outlets (plus additions and relocations), and the refrigerator. We kept the old stove, MW, and dishwasher. The dining room cabs are included in the cost as is the continued flooring. (I'm standing in the dining room to take the kitchen photos.)

We are in suburban Baltimore area and spent around $26K. This included new cherry cabinets (DIY RTA) and moldings; Bruce wood flooring (to match existing in house); cherry wood island top (DIY finishing); granite counters; sinks and faucets (main and bar); backsplash (DIY labor); some appliances (Advantium, range, bar fridge, and vent hood (already had the fridge and DW); labor for cabinet install/other carpentry, soffit removal and rebuild (creative pipe work-around), flooring install, and painting (we got lazy); electrical; and plumbing.

We saved the most by buying RTA cabinets (Conestoga) -- assembly DIY. Those were @ 9K for all you see here. Backsplash used just a few homemade and marble tiles and mostly inexpensive field tiles. Advantium was scratch and dent (no scratches or dents!). Bar fridge is $300 model from Lowes -- not the $$$ built-in kind. Plumbing and electrical pretty much stayed in place -- except for addition of much-needed pot lights throughout.

Wet bar:

lilymila & beeskeeper:
What kind of cork flooring is that? Can you please share mfg/color?

Its gorgeous! Do you like it?

Bees - thanks so much for the link you posted. Your kitchen is amazing!!

Sherriode - I saw that you mention Bray & Scarf and Frederick in your blog. We are in MD, Montgomery County. Any chance you are nearby and have any recommendation for us as we start planning out our reno.

Thanks!
Roberta

Lilymila- those floors go through my whole house so we had no choice! But they are very neutral and go with anything:)

Ours will end up being around $25K. We did a LOT of stuff ourselves, including demo, installing cabinets, & paint. What saved us a TON was using Ikea cabinets. Only cost about $4k...our counters were more than that. We purchased a floor model Bertazzoni range (LOVE), Drawer MW and Warming Drawer, and kept our old DW and Fridge which still work great.

We just purchased the Beveled Arabesque to do our backsplash, and will be installing crown ourselves in a couple weeks.

Before:

We ended up tearing everything down to the studs and basically starting fresh, including closing off an opening:

And almost completed:

My baking drawer:

My goal but failed but DH thinks we are in the ball park - but pointed out the pull out pantry and the pocket door and said - yup, over budget....
Now, the cabs cost too much, I went higher on the appliances, etc...
Good luck
PS - Slush -love those dividers!! Who makes the dividers...

They are all IKEA except for the spice rack which is Rev-a-Shelf with an Ikea oven drawer piece in front.