Average Cost to Remodel a Kitchen » Residence Style

Kitchen renovation or remodeling does wonders to increase both its functionality as well as your home’s value. Moreover, an upgraded kitchen can significantly improve your daily life, so it’s a good move to improve your kitchen for both function and value. But while the benefits of a kitchen renovation are quite significant, it can also get expensive very quickly.  

Therefore, it is important to have a plan that outlines the costs of remodeling your kitchen. A carefully planned budget plays a significant role in remodeling a kitchen. Budgeting requires adequate knowledge of what you need, how much you need, and the estimated costs.

This cost guide answers how much kitchen renovations cost in Canada and other factors you need to know before embarking on this journey. 

What is the average cost to remodel a kitchen?

While the average cost of a kitchen remodeling project ranges from $25,000 to $30,000, elaborated remodeling could cost around $50,000 or higher. Before worrying about the expenses, remember that the overall cost varies from project to project. It depends on the type of material, size of your kitchen, and project scope. 

Depending on the scope of the project, we can further break down the costs: 

• Basic: $13,000 to $19,000
• Mid-range: $20,000 to $39,000
• Elaborate: $40,000+

Furthermore, you have to keep a 10% to 15% margin for unplanned expenditures such as plumbing and electrical. 

What are the different features and their average costs?

Kitchen countertops 

Replacement: On average, the countertop replacement cost is roughly $75 per square foot for granite and quartz. At the same time, marble countertops can cost roughly $120 per square foot. So, the average replacement cost usually ranges from $2,700 to $5,500 for a standard-sized countertop. 

Refinishing: Vinyl films come in a variety and mimic the visual of natural materials. If you refinish your existing countertop with vinyl film, you must spend around $20 per square foot. 

Kitchen cabinets 

Replacement: Kitchen cabinet replacement is a costly affair. Unless your old cabinets are in a bad state, this should be your last option. You are likely to spend $130 to $250 for a single cabinet. On average, it costs around $8000 to replace cabinets and hardware. In contrast, the cost of refacing is half of the replacement. 

Refacing: Refacing cost between $4,000 to $5,000. However, your old cabinets should be in a good state to undergo refacing. 

Refinishing: It involves minor repairs and covering the old cabinets with vinyl films. It can cost between $2,500 to $3,500. 

Backsplash

According to HGTV, average labour charges for backsplash replacement range from $800 to $1000, while materials like ceramic and vinyl cost roughly $2 per square foot. The figures show that the major expenditure is on labour costs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that doing it yourself is always the best option. Although you can try DIY, remember that backsplash replacement is a complex task. 

Kitchen flooring

On average, wooden floors are roughly $100 per square foot. You can choose more budget-friendly options such as tiles or laminates to reduce this cost drastically. 

Other factors

More elaborated kitchen renovation may include the following additions. 

• If you want to add or replace kitchen appliances like an oven, refrigerator, or microwave, keep the cost factor in mind. The cost of appliances ranges from $ 150 to $500 per appliance. 
• The cost of wall paint or wallpaper ranges from $130 to $400. 
• Add plumbing and electrical costs according to the scope of the project.  

Factors that affect kitchen renovation costs

Overall home value

The thumb rule for creating a kitchen renovation budget is to spend around 10% to 15% of your house’s current market value. For instance, if your house is worth $200,000, you can create a budget of $20,000. 

Location 

The price of kitchen remodeling heavily depends on the area you live in. While the average cost of kitchen remodeling falls between $ 22,000 to $35,000, it can go as high as $60,000 for core hubs like Greater Toronto. Average pay, labour, and material cost vary significantly in rural and metropolitan areas. 

Project scope

The size of your kitchen and the project’s scope determines the overall cost of kitchen remodeling. Minor repairs or refinishing doesn’t need much attention in terms of budget. Similarly, the cost of a small kitchen renovation is much lower than a big-sized kitchen.  

Extra additions

The budget for kitchen renovation increases with every extra addition. These elements include furniture, appliances, tiles, floorboards, or the overall decor. Elements cost differently, depending upon the functionality, sizes, or base material. 

Here is a breakdown of different kitchen elements and their respective costs based on the National Kitchen & Bath Association reports:

Kitchen elements & Cost (in the percentage of the overall budget)

Cabinetry & Hardware

29%

Countertops 

10%

Appliances 

14%

Faucets and plumbing 

4%

Walls and ceilings 

5%

Flooring 

7%

Lighting 

5%

Labour and design fees 

26%

Labour 

The last one on the list is labour fees which cost around 22%. It is often separated from the design fees (4%). So, the overall labour and design costs to get your dream kitchen is around 26% of the total amount you’ll need to spend. 

This is why homeowners should aim to hire a professional design-build company that can handle both design and construction for them. That way, homeowners end up saving money, time, and energy. 

Tips to reduce kitchen remodeling costs

Some eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to cut down kitchen remodeling costs:

• Plan to refresh the kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. Refreshing uses painting, refacing, shelving, or updating the hardware. 
• Keep the kitchen layout the same as before and upgrade the different elements. 
• Do some work yourself. That way, you only pay for materials and cut down on labour costs. 
• Plan to assemble and install cabinets yourself. When refurbishing isn’t possible, go for ready-to-install kitchen cabinets. 

Endnote 

Average kitchen upgrade costs around $25,000 to $30,000. Whereas major kitchen remodeling could cost approximately $50,000 or higher. Most homeowners don’t have $20,000 and above in their banks to fund expensive kitchen improvement projects. 

Depending upon your need, you can always apply for a home equity loan to have your capital needs covered for such home improvement projects. You may choose to acquire capital to fund kitchen remodeling costs or revamp one part at a time, and your renovation can serve as an investment to improve the quality of the home from where you’ve borrowed equity.