That question is asked here quite a bit. A few other details are necessary...do you have a layout to share? And what part of the country are you in?

Personally I'd love it if I could do my kitchen for that LOL

I will have to post some photo's. I am not home right now. I live in Miami Beach, Florida.

It doesn't seem unreasonable, but it depends on what type of cabinets, countertops and the specifics. For a total reno, that seems pretty reasonable but given you don't include the scope of the project, it's hard to guess. Why not get a few estimates to compare them against?

it doesnt seem too bad to me.. what kind of cabinets? what kind of countertop?

You'll also want to consider the reputation of your contractor for quality and timeliness. I was willing to pay more for my contractor because of his professionalism. The carpentry was impeccable and the job was finished on schedule.

$23,500 actually seems a little low to me... However, as others have mentioned, there are so many variables that we really can't make give you a good answer. For example:

• What cabinet manufacturer are you using?

• What wood species are the cabinets? Finish?

• What sizes/configurations of cabinets?

• What cabinet hardware are you getting? (material/finish)

• Crown molding? Light rail? Furniture molding?

• Finished end panels or decorative (fake) doors for end of cabinet runs & around refrigerator?

• What wood species for the floor? Finish? Pre-finished or on-site finished?

• Is the wall w/the arch a load-bearing wall? Is it just changing the shape of the opening or changing the location or size as well?

• Ceiling work? (for lights, etc.)

• What kind of ceiling lights? Recessed? Track? How many & sizes?

• Other lights? (pendants, under-cabinet, over-cabinet, inside cabinet, etc.)

• Countertop...material, fabrication, installation? (you don't mention whether this is included)

• Plumbing or gas lines moved?

• Electrical need upgrading?

• Adding appliances you didn't have before?

• Sink(s)?

• Faucet(s), soap dispenser, instant hot, air switch, etc.?

• Garbage disposal (may require extra electrical work)?

• Is all the labor included? What about installing the appliances?

Lastly, why a "downdraft"??? Can you not put in a more useful/effective range/vent hood?

I'm in suburban Philadelphia and also doing a small kitchen. But I'm acting as my own GC and KD. I designed the layout, hired a custom cabinet maker (solid maple and oak construction), electrician, plumber, window company. Plus I've done most of the buying of my own supplies (faucet, backsplash tile, lights, even switches and outlets, hood, range). Some online and some locally.

Custom Cabinets
Quartz Countertop
One Window
(keeping floor - it's slate)
GE Profile Range
Hood (new install)
sink and faucet
electrical work
plumbing - just new under sink (old corroded)
carrera marble subway backsplash

I'm up to ~$22-23K at this point (they are down there drywalling as I write!)

I think I saved a LOT of money doing it this way but it's been very time consuming for me to keep track of all the details and make every decision.

I also have really good contractors. Lived in this area many years so the plumber and window people are our 'regulars', the electrician works with my DH and does this as a side job.

The cabinet maker is a funny story. Recommended by a colleague whose wife works with BOTH of the wives of the carpenters! I'm in research and colleagues wife is at another local research institute. It's a brother/brother-in-law operation and they've done quite a few kitchens for the local scientific community and everyone raves about them.

OH, and I'm having a rather large pantry (8 doors) in a hall off the kitchen reframed and hung with matching doors.

So it seems I've about spent your quote without the floor, design work or arch, but including one appliance. Hope this helps you somewhat. Good luck!

DH and I just sat down to add things up yesterday. Sadly, we never really put together a budget. We had an idea of where we wanted to end up. Now that we have quotes on nearly everything we are looking at putting off a few little things until a later date (backsplash, fancy circa light fixture, etc...)

Our house is in a Chicago suburb and was built in 1922. It's a complete remodel of the kitchen and powder room with removal of a load bearing wall. Our kitchen is about the size of yours. 9'x11'.
We are at about $38k with everything. We are acting as our own designer and GC. We will also be handling the install. Only hiring out some plumbing, window/patio door install, wood floor refinisher. Cabinets are painted maple shaker style by Decora. Decora comes standard with full extension and soft close drawers. Appliances- Bertazzoni range, Miele dishwasher, fisher&paykel fridge, custom hood(DH building it). marble countertops, ticor sink, rohl faucet. Refinishing wood floors.
The window and patio door are a huge part of the overall cost $7000! I guess installing into brick is expensive? If I would have known... LOL We may just hold off on these for now too. Our space is completely gutted... been that way since May 08. So, at this point if I can just get a kitchen, I can deal with the rest later.

I hope this helps you determine where your quote falls. It's a lot harder of a project that it looks like. Good luck!

Your estimate does not sound unreasonable.

The kitchen in our 1930s house is 10 x 12 but has three doorways. We plan on spending about 30k for a total rehab. Involves new cabinets, new ceiling, electrical, plumbing, soapstone counters, asbestos removal on basement heating pipes, new wall section to enclose pipes, range hood, refinished original pine floors, window modification, and some heating that we haven't figured out yet. Only the appliances will stay. We are using a GC we trust, with a very transparent billing process - he charges us his exact cost for all materials, subs, workers, etc, and then adds a 25% profit. That percentage may be high, but I am comfortable with it as he is saving us money where he can.

I am in Miami... in the midst of a kitchen.. hmm...mid-do (not a total redo or reno -- but: moving a doorway, 2 custom built cabinets, lots of custom built shelves, installing a canopy hood, painting, moving some appliances, installing a glass tile backsplash behind the stove and up the wall, etc).. I'm dealing directly with my installer/carpenter... my labor charges are well under $2000. Carpenters and installers are desperate for work here because of the huge slow-down in new building and all the foreclosures.

Apologies for not including size. That is very relevant. I don't mind sharing this because we've always been DIY and rarely hired contractors, let alone a slew of them at once. :)

My kitchen is 11.5 x 19, but the cabinet/appliance section is an 11 x 11.5 "U". So very close in size to the others mentioned above.

The other 8 x 11.5 is the breakfast area, which has a large doorway at the end to the den. Could have opened it up, (island, etc.) but I actually like my "U"! It's not a claustrophobic space by any means. :)

Should also point out that I removed 2 double cabinets and the soffit above the peninsula. We rarely prepare big meals (3 professional adults - and my son may move out any year now...). So my new kitchen will have LESS cabinets than the old one.

There is the hall of pantry cabinets off the other end which helps. Funny thing is people keep saying to me, "so you must have so much more space now." Ummm...not quite! LOL! You might call mine a "kitchen downsize". :D

Here's to eating out!

Biochem101 -

I'm in suburban philly too and about to embark on a kitchen reno (floors, countertops, appliances). Any vendors/stores you had a particularly favorable experience with in the area?

Thanks!

Jen

I'm no expert and only did this once, but -- Your estimate so far sounds OK to me. I did my kitchen, a small 1926 bungalow, at just under $20k with no structural changes - kept the layout but changed out everything... new floor, cabinets, granite counters/island, lighting, appliances, sink, faucet, paint and backsplash. Oh, I did add a second pantry/broom closet and also re-did an adjoining powder room including all fixtures. I did not have a KD or GC, so I shopped for every single item right down to door hinges but all labor was hired out.

The structural changes that I wanted to do -- removing half a wall and adding an arch -- would have brought it closer to $30k including adding more cabinets and counter where the wall was removed. But I needed to stay at $20k so........ no go on that for now!

Hi Jen! :D

From your zip code it seems we are on different sides of the city. All my sources are around Doylestown.

Don't know if this helps? After investigating 3 different tile stores, I did end up getting my backsplash from Avalon. They have about 6 stores spread around PA, NJ, DE. The reason was that they were SO helpful.

They even let me return the entire first set I bought (including a discontinued pencil strip they had got in just for me!) when I changed the cabinet shade. I was so pleased I plan to go back when I do my master bath next.