Two Updates That Will Change Your Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen produces one of the highest returns on investment of any home redesign. Though there are many ways to spruce up a kitchen, from a new coat of paint to an entirely new layout, many homeowners opt for something somewhere in the middle, primarily because of the cost involved. According to the Remodeling Magazine 2012-2013 Cost vs. Value Report, a high end kitchen makeover costs $53,931 on average. Two high impact changes that can be made without overhauling an entire kitchen are installation of custom kitchen cabinetry and custom countertops. Here, we’ll look at the process for both of those and the costs involved.

Custom Kitchen Cabinetry

Replacing kitchen cabinets is certainly an involved process, and becomes even more so when the cabinets are custom made. Still, contemporary kitchen cabinetry is stunning and can add immense value to a home. Homeowners can choose between stock cabinets, semicustom cabinets, and custom kitchen cabinetry, each of which has benefits and drawbacks.

Stock cabinets, the most economical choice, are often readily available, arriving within a week. They cost between $60 and $200 per linear foot, making them the least expensive option. On the downside, they don’t come in special sizes and are rarely made from solid wood.

Semicustom cabinets are only built after an order is finalized and come in a wider range of styles, construction materials, and colors than stock cabinets. It is easy to incorporate storage units and accessories like pullout bins and lazy Susans and usually cost between $100 and $650 per linear foot. Though they do offer a broader selection, they are much more expensive than stock cabinets and take a month or longer after they’re ordered to arrive.

Custom kitchen cabinetry is build by a local cabinetmaker from a hardwood chosen by the homeowner and cost between $500 and $1200 per linear foot. On the bright side, they can look and function exactly as the homeowner wants, even incorporating eye catching shapes and are usually of extremely high quality. Their biggest drawback is cost, however, and the fact that they take a minimum of 10 weeks to complete.

Replacing Kitchen Counters

Though there are a number of available materials for kitchen counters, granite is far and away the most popular because it is so easy to clean, is stain resistant, and looks stunning. Granite makes up between 70% and 80% of the Earth’s crust, making it easily accessible. Still, granite counter top installation tends to cost more than wood or laminate as it must be installed by a professional. Usually, the price ranges between $75 and $100 per square foot after installation. Mostly found in neutral colors, granite countertops can also be found in colors like red, green, and blue. Buying granite countertops is one of the most highly ranked decisions by homeowners who have remodeled their kitchens.

The choice to remodel a kitchen is a major one, but almost certainly produces a favorable return on investment. New cabinetry and countertops are a great place to begin in your redesign.