Signature Kitchens and Baths Magazine
How Much Should a New Kitchen Cost?
Four Factors will Determine the Extent of Your Investment
by Kenneth W. Peterson, CKD
copyright © 1999
This article is protected by copyright law and may not reproduced
without written consent from its author.
 A kitchen is by far the most difficult room in your home to design.
It is also the most expensive room to equip … whether yours is a
remodeling or a kitchen for a brand new house. It is for these two
reasons that many people have approached a new kitchen project with a
certain degree of trepidation. Many have unnecessarily delayed the
undertaking, forfeiting what could have been additional months or years
of family-wide enjoyment in the new space.
However, with a basic understanding of the four factors that govern the
ultimate cost of a kitchen, such fears can be mitigated. When this
‘passage’ happens, the kitchen buying process will become a truly
fun-filled, educational experience. The Scope Factor Generally
speaking, kitchen remodeling can be broken down into two main
categories: (1) full replacement, and (2) major remodeling. Each has its
intrinsic characteristics and pitfalls where an onsite consultation with
a professional kitchen designer will prove enlightening and
cost-effective.
‘Full replacements’ are defined as the change-out of existing cabinetry
without any major modifications to the basic kitchen layout. Usually the
sink, a few appliances, and sometimes the flooring are replaced at the
same time. Depending upon the quality and quantity of the new products
(particularly the cabinets), such projects will cost from $10,000 to
$25,000 in an average 12’ x 14’ kitchen.
Of course, a major reconfiguring of the kitchen design is possible
within the four walls of the space, generating such worthwhile benefits
as improved functional layout, additional storage space, and casual
dining for 4 - 6 people. It’s here that a legion of professional kitchen
designers enjoy fine reputations for creativity and functional
problem-solving. It is not uncommon for the 12” x 14’ replacement
kitchen to now double in cost to the $20,000 to $50,000 bracket.
Major remodeling is recommended when the clients’ objectives cannot be
realized within existing four walls. The frequent objective of this type
of undertaking is to create a “great room” where family and friends can
cook, dine, relax, watch TV, and party together.
Sometimes the wall between the kitchen and a little used formal dining
room is removed to create one large space. Or an adjacent porch or
breezeway are annexed where the existing roof and concrete slab make it
less costly to rehab than to build an addition from scratch. When the
scope of the project is enlarged to include structural changes, an
addition, or both, such projects may start at $35,000 and run to
$125,000 or more.
Meticulous planning and documentation are mandatory to avoid surprise
design considerations and costly change orders after the project is
underway. The early hiring of a professional kitchen designer to
comprehensively “space plan” the entire project and furnish/install the
new kitchen will save you more money than these services cost. Choose a
firm that has close ties with reliable remodeling contractors to insure
a smooth collaboration and the greatest value. It is also wise to retain
5% of your overall budget for hidden or unknown structural
contingencies.
If you are building a new house, the amount of square footage dedicated
to the kitchen generally determines the scope. The more space you have,
the greater your opportunity to equip it, increasing the size of your
investment. The Design Factor
 The second major factor affecting a kitchen project’s cost is the
element of design. To illustrate the potential magnitude of this cost
factor, picture for a moment your 12’ x 14’ kitchen with a “L-shape”
layout along two walls containing 26’ of cabinetry, counters, sink, and
appliances. There is a 48” diameter dining table in the opposite corner.
Using a ‘popular grade’ quality of cabinetry, the replacement cost for
new cabinets, laminate counters, and installation alone would be
approximately $11,000. Let’s assume that your sink and appliances will
be reused. This layout is Option #1.
Now picture this same space with a different design where an angled
“peninsula” is added to the left leg of the original “L-shape”. This
alternative represents a creative reconfiguring of the space based upon
the your willingness to dine informally at the peninsula snackbar with
your family. This arrangement also frees up wall space in the former
dining area so a corner china hutch can be installed.
The net result of Option #2 is an extra 11’ of base cabinet storage in
the peninsula, 7’ of additional counterspace, a snackbar overhang
comfortably accommodating four people, and the 3’ corner china hutch.
Using the same cabinet and countertop quality as in Option #1, the cost
for this reconfigured design would be approximately $16,000.
In this scenario, the design factor alone impacted the final cost by
46%! So remember, creative designs can definitely add worthwhile
aesthetic and functional benefits. But they also contribute heavily to
the initial investment cost. Over the useful life of a new kitchen, the
benefits of good design usually far outweigh the expense. The Product Factor A third major factor affecting costs is product quality. Since up to 60%
of an average kitchen project is usually in the cost of cabinetry, this
discussion will be limited to the six cabinet qualities. Here is a quick
overview:
Shop-Built. Locally built in every region of the country for builders
and consumers, this cabinet grade varies widely in quality. Although
tagged as “custom”, most don’t measure up to the latest in finishes and
accessories, lacking the capital investment in state-of-the-art
machinery. Structural integrity meets minimum standards, but the lacquer
finishes common to this cabinet grade have questionable durability and
are frequently flawed by trapped dust particles. “Toner” stains are
often used to mask the imperfections of poorer quality wood. About
$300-$400 per cabinet on average – based upon a typical kitchen of 15
cabinets with fillers, panels, moldings, accessories, and freight, but
not including installation.
Production. This quality grade invests most of its manufacturing dollar
in a good, durable finish. It suffers from a limited number of stylings,
finishes, accessories, hardware, and customization. The upside is that
the product is usually in stock or available within a few days. It is
perfect for investment properties or starter homes. About $350-$600 per
cabinet on average.
Semi-Custom. Similar to Production grade in quality, this quality grade
offers a wider selection of stylings, finishes, accessories, and
hardware. Some customization from standard specifications is possible.
Typical delivery is 2-4 weeks. At about $400-$700 per cabinet on
average, it’s a good value.
Popular. Most of the increased manufacturing cost is put into the
cabinet exterior’s good looks. This quality grade has broader range of
wood species, stylings, stain/paint colors, and finishes than
Semi-Custom. Suitable for ‘other room’ applications like libraries, it
is ‘popularly priced’ at about $600-$900 per cabinet on average. You can
expect the beauty to last for 20 or more years.
Furniture. An equivalent manufacturing dollar is invested in the
interior construction, fit, and finish as in the exterior. This quality
grade has the best painted finishes on wood. It also has unique stylings,
excellent quality interior accessories, and first class consumer
literature. This grade is perfect for built-in furniture applications in
other rooms. These are mostly national manufacturers whose products are
well-advertised in prestigious ‘shelter magazines’ like Architectural
Digest. Furniture-priced at approximately $800-$1300 per cabinet.
Luxury. This quality grade constitutes ‘leading edge’ manufacturers,
mostly from Europe, featuring bold new styles and materials. They
utilize state-of-the-art hardware systems and allow very little
customization due to the production/engineering methodology. These are
internationally known manufacturers who build brand name awareness
through extensive advertising in the most prestigious shelter magazines.
Buyers of these products generally ignore the high overseas freight
costs and will buy these brands to make a ‘fashion statement’. At
$1300-$2600 per cabinet on average, they are a real luxury for most
people.
To demonstrate the impact that cabinet product has on the final cost,
let’s compare the relative cost of a square raised panel maple cabinet
from three quality grades based upon the Option #1 layout for the
replacement kitchen:
- At $612 per cabinet, the Popular Grade cabinetry totals approximately
$8600.
- At $1155 per cabinet, the Furniture Grade cabinetry would be about
$16,200 …. or 89% more than the Popular Grade.
- At $1918 per cabinet, the Luxury Grade cabinetry would be about
$26,900 …. or 213% more than the Popular Grade.
I am sure you would agree that a 213% differential between two cabinet
grades is dramatic! When people discover a reputable kitchen design firm
and a designer who is proficient with cabinetry from 3 quality levels,
they will frequently feel comfortable to ‘shop within’ that firm. The Services Factor The fourth and final factor affecting cost is the number and quality of
services offered to execute a kitchen remodeling or a new kitchen. This
is the most critical of the four cost factors because kitchens are
largely ‘intangible products’ that are built from scratch on site from a
set of blueprints and literally hundreds of parts and pieces from a wide
variety of suppliers. The average kitchen dealer limits his operation to
planning and installation services. These two services, however, are not
nearly enough.
There are 1,001 human errors that can be made in a kitchen project from
any of the following sources: designer, cabinet manufacturer, shipper,
appliance distributor, countertop fabricator, carpenter, plumber,
electrician, and, oh yes, the client. Any one of these errors can cost
the client substantial money, frustrating delays, or considerable
dissatisfaction with the overall project.
 The best kitchen design firms have organized themselves with
value-driven product lines, a division of staff labor, a series of
management systems, and the best skilled professionals in all staffing
positions. Such operational procedures enable these companies to
substantially reduce the risk of error in a kitchen project by
furnishing greater attention to detail.
Some of the unique, specialized services these firms offer include: a
Project Storyboard to help clients better understand the complexities of
creating a new kitchen from start to finish; a Cabinet Comparison
Display to have clients comprehend the feature/cost differences between
cabinet quality grades; a Cost Analysis System for accurate, interactive
budgeting of a project; a Buying Group Membership for access to the
industry’s greatest product values; a Technical Plan Review prior to the
final Materials Ordering; a Client Communication System to regularly
inform people of their job status; and a Job Progress Chart to monitor
and evaluate individual activities. Conclusion Doing a new or remodeled kitchen is little like having open heart
surgery. If it’s done wrong, you may not have another chance. And no one
wants to live with problems for any great length of time.
So, regardless whether your kitchen investment budget is large or small,
it pays to select a kitchen design firm with the best skills and
services. These intangibles may cost a little more at the contract
stage, but they will save you much more money in mistakes and oversights
than they cost. It is these intangibles that will assure you of
receiving the quality, performance, value, and satisfaction that you
should expect from such a pivotal undertaking.
SIDEBAR: SEEK KITCHEN FIRMS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE SEN DESIGN GROUP. For
sound advice in kitchens, talk with a firm affiliated with the SEN
Design Group. Dealers who belong to this group are among the industry’s
best businesspeople and are sincerely interested in having you informed
on all aspects of your kitchen project before you make your purchase.
Ask for a free brochure entitled: What You Can Expect From A SEN Design
Firm.
The SEN Design Group is a national organization of independent Kitchen
and Bath Professionals that started the industry’s first buying group
and are dedicated to the continuous improvement in the quality and value
of Client Services. SEN kitchen specialists work with a growing number
of qualified manufacturers who offer cabinetry, sinks, faucets,
appliances, lighting, and accessories, as well as bathroom products. SEN
Design Firms also have consumer information booklets, seminars, and
services to make it easier for you to make intelligent choices.
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