Discover: The Average Cost of a Kitchen Renovation

If you live in the Buffalo/Western New York area and have been considering whether now is the time to design your dream kitchen, you likely have many questions. The average cost of a kitchen renovation is probably at the top of your list.

Here at TBrothers Renovation, we specialize in kitchen and bath remodeling and renovations. We create, remodel, and renovate such beautiful kitchens that you’ll want to host dinner parties and gatherings at your home to show it off!

Below are the questions we hear the most often from those considering a kitchen renovation:

• What is the average cost of a kitchen renovation that I should spend to maximize my ROI?
• What factors impact the cost of a kitchen renovation?
• How much will I get as a return on investment (ROI)?
• What are certain things I MUST update to really get my money’s worth?
• How long will it take?
• What else do I need to consider when getting my kitchen remodeled?

Let’s address these one at a time.

1. What is the average cost of a kitchen renovation that I should spend to maximize my ROI?

According to HomeAdvisor, your kitchen remodel should cost between 5 to 15% of your home’s value. If you spend less than 5%, you may end up not updating it enough to maximize your return, and if you spend more than 15%, then you may not be able to recoup that money once you sell your home.

That being said, if you are already in what you consider your forever home, you may not give most importance to monetary return on investment. Building for the enjoyment of your space and having a dream kitchen makeover may be more satisfying for you.

2. What factors impact the cost of a kitchen renovation?

The average cost of a kitchen renovation depends on several factors:

• If you’re significantly changing the layout or adding space onto the kitchen
• Where the space is (whether it’s outside/in an outbuilding, in a basement, ground, or second floor)
• Size of the kitchen (the bigger the space, the bigger investment)
• Distance from plumbing and drains (if a new kitchen)
• Quality of the cabinets, fixtures, appliances, countertops, flooring, and finishes
• Whether you are planning an average remodel vs. a luxury kitchen remodel

The best way to get an actual figure for your own circumstances is to schedule an in-home design consultation. There are a wide range of potential costs that can be added or subtracted, and we can discuss ways to maximize your budget and get the most enjoyment from your kitchen remodel.

3. How much will I get as a return on investment (ROI)?

Any realtor will tell you that “kitchens sell homes.” Despite that, it’s unlikely you’ll get a 100% return on your investment. It’s best that you have your kitchen remodeled a few years before you plan to sell your home, so you can enjoy it. Plus, you may find that after a stellar remodel, you don’t even want to move!

But if you are wanting to sell your home, remodeling a kitchen, especially if yours is particularly outdated, can attract buyers and may fetch a higher sale price.

In the Buffalo/Western New York area, a midrange kitchen remodel brought in around a 53% return on investment in 2020.

Expert Tip: Here at TBrothers Renovations, we understand how you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible. While you may want to cut corners by overseeing the project yourself, it’d be in your best interest to instead hire a design and build general contractor like us to manage every part of the project. We know best practices to provide a satisfying result, and we hire the best subcontractors, so you don’t have to worry. Further, we’re licensed and insured in the state of New York and can pull all necessary permits.

4. What are certain things I MUST update to really get my money’s worth/return on investment?

• Appliances – Stainless steel appliances are always a good choice, and what homebuyers look at first.
• Countertops – While some countertops (such as granite) are more costly than laminate, the countertop is the focal point of your kitchen.
• Paint – A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to making a room look more put-together.
• Cabinets – Outdated cabinet colors or ones with limited storage space should be replaced or replenished.
• Knobs and faucets – Get a more modern faucet and replace cabinet hardware.

Take a look at our gallery of kitchen makeovers to gain style inspiration.

5. How long will it take?

You might have seen kitchen remodels that take only a weekend on HGTV. But that only shows you a snapshot of how much time a remodel takes. There’s the planning and preparation as well as consideration for details.

Like any major construction project, a kitchen renovation will take time, but it will be worth it!

You can expect a typical kitchen renovation to take between 4 and 6 weeks with TBrothers Renovations. If your kitchen is large, requires layout changes, etc., 6 to 9 weeks is a fair estimate.

An inexperienced contractor may quote you less time, so you want to make sure to find a contractor with sufficient experience. Here at TBrothers Renovations, we have been remodeling kitchens, baths, and homes across Buffalo and WNY since 2015 and have the experience you would want in a high-quality kitchen designer.

EXPERT TIP: Big box stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, often take much longer than independent contractors and are more expensive. Home Depot reports on its website that a remodel could take 6-8 weeks, but that doesn’t include waiting until the project could begin. Further, the prices of supplies at Home Depot and similar stores are generally more expensive than what an independent contractor could help you get. It’s best to hire a team like TBrothers Renovations to do your bathroom over walking into a big box store and hiring them.

6. What else do I need to consider when getting my kitchen remodeled?

Because your kitchen is often in the center of your home and next to high-traffic areas, dust and allergens can be a major concern. Here at TBrothers Renovations, we do all we can to protect your home during the renovation process and reduce cleanup time once the job is done. This makes it possible for you to still live comfortably in your home while getting the kitchen of your dreams.

While we are working on your kitchen, we’ll install a ZipWall Dust Barrier. This will section off the work area and minimize the amount of dust that will get into other areas of your home.

We also use a HEPA 360 air scrubber, which “dramatically reduces airborne job-site dust by drawing in air, passing it through a series of filters and returning the ‘scrubbed’ air back into the space.”

As we’re working, we also use a HEPA vacuum system. This attaches to many of our tools, such as drywall sanders or miter saws to reduce dust and allergens.

T-Brothers Renovations: Your Go-To Kitchen Renovators

The average cost of a kitchen renovation in one circumstance may be dramatically different than for another. It is very hard to give a true average cost for a kitchen renovation without understanding the value and layout of your home, the size and scope of the remodel you desire, the kinds of materials you want to use, and what your goals are for added features and functionality.

T-Brothers Renovations handles both the design and build process for your kitchen makeover. Take a look through our gallery of kitchen remodels we have already completed. We would love to create the same high-quality level of transformation for your space. And when you walk into your beautiful new kitchen for the first time and enjoy your kitchen day-to-day, we are confident you will agree that your kitchen remodel was well worth it!

If you’re ready to remodel your kitchen within the next year, do not wait to contact us! Our calendar fills up fast! Schedule your appointment now via our scheduling link. We are happy to do kitchen remodels in any town in Buffalo and Western New York.