According to Remodeling Magazine, the size and scope of your kitchen remodel can make a major difference—not only in initial cost but in the amount of cost that you’re likely to recoup in terms of added value. While a major kitchen remodel may be cost-prohibitive with an average cost of nearly $57,500, a minor kitchen remodel may be feasible at about a third of the cost. As if that’s not enough motivation to think smaller, when you compare Remodeling Magazine’s often-cited Cost vs. Value Report for 2010-2011 to their 2011-2012 report, you’ll see another reason why the trend toward minor remodels continues: Major kitchen remodels continued to decline from 68.7 to 65.7% in recouped costs, while minor remodels decreased less than a full percentage point from 72.8 to 72.1%.
Ranking as the fourth overall in the 2011-2012 report, a minor kitchen remodel is just below the following exterior replacement projects: steel entry doors, mid-range garage doors, and fiber-cement siding. It’s within a few percentage points in value to these other popular projects: vinyl or foam-backed vinyl siding replacements, wood deck additions, mid-range wood or vinyl window replacements, attic bedroom additions, and basement remodels.
In some ways, the minor kitchen remodel is an interior replacement project, and replacement projects seem to fare the best during troubled economic times. Such projects are seen to be more than merely aesthetic, but rather a necessary aspect of home maintenance. The key difference between a major and minor kitchen remodel is that the layout is essentially the same, without the need to move electrical, plumbing, or major structures. The typical minor kitchen remodel includes replacing the following aspects of your kitchen: cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and related hardware; countertops; and all major appliances.
The most expensive aspect of your minor kitchen remodel is probably your cabinet doors and drawer fronts; we’ll discuss a few extra ways to save when considering your options for those.
Today’s cabinet styles mean great news for budget-friendly homeowners who want to update their kitchens: In-vogue Craftsman and contemporary designs are much more cost-effective than many older looks. With partial overlays and flat panels instead of raised ones, these simpler styles are good news for your pocketbook. Current styles also coordinate well with open shelving, which saves on cabinet faces. Other design-based ways to save include using larger cabinet boxes with dividers rather than smaller-sized boxes. Cabinet wood species is a major area for savings.
As long as you hire great builders who use quality solid wood, you’ll end up with a quality product. Using alder instead of cherry won’t make much difference once the wood is stained, but you’ll have more money lining your pockets. Finishing is another place where you can save: Stain is less expensive than glazed or painted finishes. For cabinets that look dated but are still in good shape, cabinet refacing might be the way to go. Incidentally, cabinetry might be the best way to give your kitchen a custom look without splurging for high-end, built-in appliances.
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