How to get a high-quality kitchen remodel without the sticker shock

By Justin Pierce March 9 at 9:00 AM

Justin Pierce is a real estate investor who regularly writes about his experiences buying, renovating and selling houses in the Washington area.

Be sure to sit down when you meet with a designer in the kitchen department of a big home improvement store otherwise the price might knock you over.

According to Remodeling magazine, the national average for a full kitchen remodel is $54,909. I have never been able to get my mind wrapped around this, considering that the national median income is only around $51,000.

The average full kitchen remodel is defined as:

Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with a functional layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island; laminate countertops; and standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.

Remodeling magazine also reports that a major kitchen remodel returns an average of $40,732. My average kitchen remodel usually comes in at less than half this national average cost. Heres how you can save money on your kitchen project and turn your effort into a positive gain in home equity without sacrificing quality:

Start with your design. Figure out the layout you want for your kitchen. A simple and sleek design will appeal to most buyers and help keep your costs down. Keeping your existing layout is always cheaper. Avoid moving plumbing and electrical items if possible at least try to keep your stove (especially gas stoves) and sink in the same location. Moving a gas stove will require relocating gas lines and moving your sink plumbing can create additional problems. They also require additional permits and time.

Try to pick an overall theme country, modern, rustic, etc. This will help you select materials and ensure everything comes together properly. Have a good idea of the look you want before you go into a design center or talk to contractors.

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How to get a high-quality kitchen remodel without the sticker shock