How much is too much to spend on a kitchen remodel?
cschulz349
5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (16)
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years agoRelated Discussions
How much should one spend on a new kitchen
Comments (2)That is a really tough question with no definitive answer. How much you spend depends so much on what part of the country you are in and what you are having done. There is a big difference between re-doing your counter tops and adding a backsplash vs. tearing down load-bearing walls and adding onto a home. In the first case, you can easily do a kitchen update for less than 10% but if you are doing anything major with structural changes, you are going to be over the 10% mark. I think for anything major, there is a baseline of what that costs, regardless of the value of the house so as a house's value increases, perhaps you are more likely to be able to do a renovation for 10-15%. For example if your house is worth $750k, sure, maybe you can do some major renovations for $75k and be at the 10% mark. Whereas, if your house is worth $150k, and you do something major, it is still going to cost a minimum of $30k, which would be 20% in the case of the less expensive house. All that to say, we spent a lot on our kitchen remodel, probably 25-30% of its value. It was however a major renovation/addition - adding approximately 14 x 16 feet of space on two levels, and a screen porch too. That being said, we don't think we will ever "get our money out of it" and we knew this going into it. But we didn't do it for resale - we did it for ourselves and intend to enjoy it for many years to come....See MoreYou know you're spending too much time on GW when...
Comments (88)"DD's theory is that due to the global financial crisis, fashion has come to a grinding halt. Nothing new. So the trend lag between here and Europe has collapsed and we're seeing the same stuff everywhere. This is from my 16 y.o. fashion analyst! :-)" Out of the mouths of babes... The Italians are over, this week, and are doing all they can to help the American economy. They came with huge lists from their family and friends. It's all Abercrombie & Fitch. That brand has taken Italy by storm, maybe the rest of Europe, too. They used to buy only Polo. I guess the lines at their stores go on forever and the prices are absurd. With the exchange rate...they're in heaven. We had a dinner last night and I forgot to ask what Italian brand was hot now. Last time it was Roberto Cavalli but his things are way too young for me. I'll stick with Armani if I'm still alive to see the dollar reign, once more....See MoreHow much is too much to spend on a kitchen remodel?
Comments (9)I feel much like rweigand about it. Make a list of must do's, needs done items and a list of wants/desires. See what those items that need done are going to cost and prioritize the rest of your list. It might help to have a general idea of cost before you start prioritizing your wants. From a real estate perspective it's a good idea to not over improve for your neighborhood... Like littlebug mentioned. You generally don't want to be the nicest home in the neighborhood because you don't help yourself by doing that, you only raise the value of everyone else's home and yours is lowered by those around you. That being said, it's pretty often that kitchens and baths are what help sell a home. If they present a wow factor or are at least pretty nice, they can help make a home more marketable. I understand you are planning on staying there long term but sometimes plans change when we least expect them. I live in an area where some of the nicer newer homes have laminate countertops and vinyl flooring. Shortly after we moved in, about 15 yrs ago, I got an estimate for Corian counters. Egads, after I saw the quote I decided a trip to Disney with memories for my family was more important than pretty countertops and I have lived with the laminate that was there when we moved in. Not hideous, but not my taste. Now I'm looking at butcher block and soapstone counters. The butcherblock will be made by a friend out of locally sourced oak and we are planning to DIY the soapstone if we can source a stone for a reasonable cost. I'm glad today I didn't splurge on that countertop years ago. I know now I wouldn't have loved the Corian because it really didn't go with my home but stone any counters were $$$ in my area back then. We enjoyed having the $ to take a couple of trips when my son was young with the $ we saved....See MoreIs 30K too much to spend on builder upgrades on a 360,000 house?
Comments (15)9ft ceiling $5664 - YES Loft $7614 - Are the majority of other homes in the development adding the additional space? If yes, then this is a big YES. If not, you don't want to be the largest house in the development because the answer is you'll never make it back. An additional question is will you actually use the space or are you adding it just for resale. If adding it to use, then yes it's worth it for your own enjoyment, resale be damned. Full siding beams $470 - What is a full siding beam? Black railing $550 - Is this a black railing inside or out and what's the material? Is it just someone painting it? Entry door $500 - What is the difference between the entry door offered and the upgrade? Riverside doors $315 - What is a Riverside door and what will it add to the house? Tahoe dark bronze $99 Railing $5541 - Railing for where? And why so expensive? Glass pantry $161 - NO. Anything in the pantry is better off without light French doors $566 - What is there now that you need french doors? Bath hardware $42 - What kind of bath hardware? Toilet paper holders? Towel bars? If so, that sounds inexpensive so YES. Water softener $2512 - What brand? How does it work? Does it also filter out chemicals, etc? Depending on brand, etc and if you have hard water, then YES. Faucet $330 - Probably YES. Half bath faucet $116 - Probably YES Lighting package $1000 - If you mean upgrading the lights that are there, then NO. I'd rather wait and find exactly what I want and change them later as I find my favorites. It's easy to change out lights. However if you're talking about adding more lights, cans, etc to make the house brighter, then a big YES. Ceiling fan master $200 - Again what brand and what is there now? Canned lights $400 - Is this additional canned lights? How many additional? Exterior canned lights $600 - Same question as for interior canned lights. Carpet $2200 - NO. I'd choose hardwood or luxury vinyl planks over carpeting everywhere. Carpeting doesn't hold up. Laundry room tile - What is there now? Cabinets $708 - What brand of cabinets are the upgrades and what's there now? More importantly what is the layout of the kitchen and bath cabinets? Island $518 - Can the kitchen fit an island? Or will it be tight? Kitchen hardware gold $200 - Big NO. That's a trend and in 5 years it will look dated. Sink $85 - What kind of sink and where in the house is this sink? Bathroom culture marble $789 - Cultured marble is fake. What was the original option? Bathroom cultured marble $585 - see above? I'm surprised everyone is giving advice without knowing the answers to the above questions!...See Moreraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years agoAnglophilia
5 years agoblfenton
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago_sophiewheeler
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agonosoccermom
5 years agoAnnette Holbrook(z7a)
5 years agoLinda
5 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
5 years agoFeatherBee
5 years agonosoccermom
5 years agoLinda
5 years agopalimpsest
5 years agocschulz349
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agotownlakecakes
5 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGNCouple Renovates to Spend More Time in the Kitchen
Artistic mosaic tile, custom cabinetry and a thoughtful layout make the most of this modest-size room
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESHow People Upgrade Their Main Bathrooms, and How Much They Spend
The latest Houzz Bathroom Trends Study reveals the most common budgets, features and trends in master baths. Now about that tub …
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZHow People Upgrade Their Kitchens and How Much They Spend
Here’s what our research team found out about how much people are spending on kitchen renovations — and on what
Full Story
HOLIDAYSSpend Less Without Being a Grinch: 8 Holiday Ideas
Give meaningful gifts and use nature's decor to work holiday magic without blowing your budget
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNModernize Your Old Kitchen Without Remodeling
Keep the charm but lose the outdated feel, and gain functionality, with these tricks for helping your older kitchen fit modern times
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNCottage Kitchen’s Refresh Is a ‘Remodel Lite’
By keeping what worked just fine and spending where it counted, a couple saves enough money to remodel a bathroom
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZHouzz Survey: See the Latest Benchmarks on Remodeling Costs and More
The annual Houzz & Home survey reveals what you can expect to pay for a renovation project and how long it may take
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNRemodeling Your Kitchen in Stages: Planning and Design
When doing a remodel in phases, being overprepared is key
Full Story
MOST POPULARRemodeling Your Kitchen in Stages: Detailing the Work and Costs
To successfully pull off a remodel and stay on budget, keep detailed documents of everything you want in your space
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDES25 Most Bookmarked Remodeling Guides of 2012
Seems like Houzzers couldn't get enough advice on renovating basements, kitchens, showers and even laundry rooms this year
Full Story
dchall_san_antonio