Kitchens Renovations

1.) Add a kitchen island.

Although there are many benefits to adding a kitchen island, be prepared to spend a bit of money, as this type of upgrade requires a fairly substantial investment. The final cost varies based on whether the island will include plumbing and electrical, but you can expect to spend between $4,000 and $5,000 on materials for an island and anywhere from $3,500 to $5,000 for labor.

2.) Update, Paint, or Replace Cabinets

The cost of this upgrade varies depending on the size and scope of your project and the quality of the cabinets selected. If you focus on just replacing hardware, expect to spend at least $100 to $200. 

Repainting cabinets is the next step up in modernizing your kitchen cabinets and will cost quite a bit more than simply renewing the hardware. You can expect to spend anywhere from $2,500 to at least $4,000 depending on the total surface area of the cabinets. If this price is daunting, keep in mind that you usually get the best return on investment on this effort, especially when combined with new hardware

Replacing cabinets entirely will be the most expensive option. Final costs depend on such things as general contractor fees and the cabinets selected. For an average size kitchen, expect to spend about $4,000 to $5,000 in materials and $5,000 to $6,000 in labor. This upgrade usually averages out to $9,000 or more to replace cabinets with a mid-grade material. Custom jobs will always demand a higher price as there are usually less materials on hand and more work involved.

3.) Upgrading Appliances 

Old, outdated, and poorly functioning appliances are one of the top reasons homeowners renovate a kitchen or move to a new home entirely. Most of us spend way too much time in our kitchens to want to deal with unreliable appliances. By investing in quality, high-performance appliances now, you will reap the benefits for years to come with perfectly cooked and baked foods, and when it comes time to sell your home, those professional-grade appliances will be a major selling point to any buyer. But don't go overboard when selecting new appliances. There's a range of price points for new stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers, and while it's important to have updated features in your kitchen, it's not necessary to buy the top-of-the-line options.

4.) Replacing Coutertops

Twenty years ago, granite was all the rage, but today, few people want dark, speckled countertops. Give your kitchen a brighter look with new white or light, neutral quartzit countertops, or porcelain countertops, which have been trending for the past year or more. Using real marble, which can be very pricey, will rarely translate into a return on your investment when upgrading countertops. There are many options to get the look for less. 

No matter which updated material you select, countertops are an important investment and one that makes a significant difference in the appearance of your kitchen and its resale value. Get rid of outdated tile and grout countertops that are hard to clean. Upgraded countertops will give your kitchen an elevated and modern look.