The Average Cost of A Kitchen Renos

There’s a lot to consider before you get started with a kitchen renovation – from style to layout to colour palette. However, the most important aspect to consider is kitchen renovation costs. Knowing what to expect when it comes to the average cost of a new kitchen will help you make choices that will suit your style and overall budget.

As home renovation contractors in Edmonton, we know a thing or two about kitchen renovation costs. So, to help get you started on the right track, let’s take a look at the average cost of a new kitchen.

Keep in mind that improving your kitchen will increase the value of your home. While you might not get all of your money back, you can expect a large portion of the total cost to be reflected in the resale value. In fact, according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, you can expect to recover approximately 75% to 100% of your investment! Money aside, you and your family will benefit from the enjoyment of a new and functional kitchen.

Major Kitchen Renovation Components

There are many aspects to a kitchen renovation that homeowners often forget. However, when you’re putting together a budget for your kitchen reno, you’ll need to make sure you cover all of your bases. This means understanding all of the major components that will impact your kitchen renovation costs.

Be sure to keep these elements in mind when planning your renovation:

• Kitchen cabinets
• Countertops
• Backsplash
• Sinks and Fixtures
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Appliances
• Plumbing and Electrical Work
• Other Costs (designers, paint, etc.)

Kitchen Renovation Costs

You’re probably wondering – how much does a kitchen renovation cost?

To answer your question, let’s take a look at the cost of each component individually.

Kitchen Cabinets

One of the biggest costs when renovating your kitchen will be the cabinets. The average cost of new cabinets for homeowners in Alberta is approximately $8,500 or more. However, the total price will depend on several factors, including:

• Cabinet style – cabinets that are more complex and detailed will cost more.
• Material the cabinets are made from – exotic woods and other expensive materials will add to the cost of your new cabinets.
• Whether or not they are custom-built – cabinets that are built specifically for your kitchen will be the most expensive option. Choosing to go the custom route could cost you $10,000 to $60,000 or more. On the other hand, ready-to-assemble cabinets are also an option. Although ready-to-assemble cabinets won’t give you a fully customized kitchen, they can help you save a lot of money. When you opt for pre-built cabinets, you could save up to 50%.

Another option is to refinish the cabinets that are already in your kitchen. Refinishing your kitchen cupboards, rather than replacing them, is the most cost-effective solution. Depending on the extent to which your current cabinets need to be refinished (e.g. a simple paint job vs complete refacing), you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 or more.

Countertops

The cost for countertops will be another large part of your total kitchen renovation costs. Much like your kitchen cabinets, the amount you spend will depend on the type of countertop you choose. Many of the most popular countertop options, including granite, cost $50 to $150 or more per square foot. In Edmonton, the average cost of new kitchen countertops is around $3,000.

If granite and marble don’t fit into your renovation budget, there are several options to consider to help cut costs.

1. Mixing kitchen countertop materials – for example, consider using a different material on your island than the rest of your counters.
2. Using a less expensive material – laminate countertops, for example, can give you the look of stone without the high price tag. Rather than paying more than $50 per square foot, you’ll be looking at an average cost of $8 to $25 per square foot.

Backsplash

The biggest cost when it comes to your kitchen backsplash will be the installation. Installing a backsplash can be tricky therefore, you’ll likely want the help of a professional.

Depending on the material you choose for your backsplash, you can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $1,000 or more for purchase and installation.

Sink and Fixtures

There are many options when it comes to sinks and fixtures – the more high-end you want, the steeper the price.

The cost for a new sink and fixtures can range anywhere from $200 to $4,500 or more. Keep in mind, there will be additional installation costs on top of that. In Edmonton, you can expect to pay $350 to $900 or more for installation, depending on the complexity of the job. The total cost for a new sink and fixtures is, on average, $1,500 or more.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring, homeowners can spend as much or as little as their budget will allow. The cost of kitchen flooring varies greatly, depending on the type of flooring your choose. Take the time to do some research and consider different options before settling. Some of the most popular flooring options include stone, wood, vinyl and linoleum.

Wood and certain stone (like marble) flooring will cost the most – anywhere from $3,000 or more. On the other hand, laminate flooring will cost about half as much.

When choosing your flooring, remember that more costly options often have additional benefits. For instance, wood or stone flooring will last longer and will add more value to your home.

The average cost of new flooring for a kitchen remodel in Canada is about $2,000.

Lighting

The cost to buy and install new lighting in your kitchen will depend on the type of lights you choose, as well as the amount of work that needs to be done to properly install the fixtures.

Recessed lighting, for example, will cost more than track lighting and other alternatives. This is because many additional steps need to be completed to install recessed lighting. This includes cutting holes in the ceiling and adding wiring throughout your kitchen. As well, you never know what issues you might run into when you open up a wall or ceiling! As a result of this complex installation, a single recessed light could cost you $150 or more.

Other options to consider include under-cabinet lighting and above-cabinet lighting.

When choosing your lighting, be sure to consider which options are the most energy-efficient. Although these options may cost more in some cases, they will help you save on your energy bills for years to come.

Typically, homeowners spend around $1,200 on new lighting during a kitchen renovation.

Appliances

New appliances will also account for a large portion of your total kitchen renovation costs. A new fridge can cost anywhere from $300 to $10,000 or more and a new stove $600 to $11,000 or more, depending on the brand, size and other features.

The average kitchen renovation includes approximately $3,200 for new appliances.

One of the best ways to cut down on the cost of your new appliances is to put them in the same location the old appliances were in. This will prevent you from having to pay to get electrical and/or gas outlets moved – a job that can often be very expensive.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

During your kitchen reno, you may require the help of a plumber or electrician. This will certainly be the case if you intend on moving your appliances, installing an island with a stovetop (that wasn’t there before) or making significant changes to your lighting. Keep in mind, new high-efficiency appliances may also require you to upgrade your electrical panel.

For kitchen renovations, an electrician may charge $80 to $100 per hour, plus materials. A plumber can cost $70 to $85 per hour or more as well. To account for these costs, be sure to set aside 5% to 10% of your budget for plumbing and electrical work, especially if you plan on reconfiguring your kitchen.

Other Costs

There are many additional kitchen renovation costs that homeowners often forget. These include:

• Designers and/or architects – expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 to $18,000 or more for professional help. If you want to work with a designer and other professionals, be sure to set aside at least 10% of your budget for professional fees.
• Painting and/or wallpaper – a new coat of paint and fresh wallpaper can cost $100 to $600 or more.
• Door and windows, etc. – the average homeowner spends about $1,200 on windows and doors when renovating their kitchen. Whether you want to replace, add or remove windows and doors will determine the ultimate cost.

Total Kitchen Renovation Costs

The total average cost of a new kitchen in Canada is approximately $25,000. However, your kitchen renovation costs will depend on several factors. These include:

• Size of your kitchen
• Quality of the materials and products you choose
• Extent to which you change the layout of your kitchen

To give you a better idea of what you can expect to spend on your kitchen renovation, below are a range of prices. These price ranges show the cost of doing a simple, small kitchen renovation, an average renovation and a large-scale, high-quality job.

• Low – $15,000+
• Mid – $30,000+
• High – $45,000+

From your total budget, be sure to set aside a portion for unexpected issues and costs. A backup fund of 15% to 20% of your total budget is recommended.

DIY Kitchen Reno vs Hiring a Contractor

If you love DIY projects or just want to save money, you might consider doing your kitchen reno yourself.

The main benefit of a DIY kitchen renovation is the cost savings. By doing your kitchen reno yourself, you could save up to 50%. While a professional renovation can cost around $25,000, a DIY kitchen reno may only be $16,000.

However, it’s important to keep in mind other important factors, besides cost. For example, if you run into any issues or unexpected problems (especially if you are opening up walls), you may need to hire a professional to help. Hiring a contractor from the start means you’ll already have an expert on your side who can help with the issue or knows someone who can (potentially at a discounted rate). As well, kitchen renovation contractors in Alberta will have all the tools necessary to complete your reno. If you don’t already have the tools you need, this will be an additional, and potentially very expensive, cost. Finally, a professional contractor will guarantee that the job is done right. Not only will this save you from unnecessary issues and costs in the future, but it will also ensure that you get the best return on your investment when selling your home.

So, before jumping into a DIY home renovation, consider the pros and cons.

Get a Free Personalized Kitchen Renovation Estimate

Are you ready to get started with your kitchen renovation? The professional kitchen renovation team at Nord Alta can provide you with a detailed estimate based on your current kitchen and renovation plans.

Get a better idea of exactly what your dream kitchen will cost. Book a free kitchen renovation estimate today!