We advise all of our clients in the Upper Valley that home improvement television and websites are excellent sources of inspiration. While many great ideas, concepts and products are available on HGTV, DYI, Angie’s List, Houzz.com and the like, regrettably, those platforms are also the source of misinformation that creates unrealistic expectations when it comes to both timeline and budget.
Home improvement television does not produce documentaries. HGTV and others are in the entertainment business. That’s why there is a familiar pattern for each episode. There are homeowners who want to improve their lives by renovating their entire home or specific rooms. There is no mention of selecting designers and products or reviewing designs. The budgets quoted typically do not account for design services or labor. That’s why many homeowners in the Upper Valley don’t develop realistic budgets or timelines for their projects.
When prospects ask how much a new kitchen or bath in the Upper Valley will cost, our answer is always the same: It depends. The major factors that influence cost include:
Size and scope of the renovation
If the renovation involves reconfiguring infrastructure such as windows, doors, pipes, ductwork, utility lines and other components behind walls
If the renovation requires changes to meet current building codes
If the renovation increases the size of the existing space
Type and quality of materials desired
Cabinets
Countertops
Appliances
Plumbing fixtures
Lighting
Organization accessories
Seating
Backsplash
Floor coverings
Wallcoverings
Technology
Hardware
Because of the unknown variables involving scope and materials, it is nearly impossible to estimate the cost of a renovation without answering several important questions. We need an understanding of the goals of the renovation and the resources that are available for the project. There are calculators and estimators that you can find on websites published by truly credible organizations such as the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Still, those estimates and tools don’t address what is most important to you and how meeting your goals will affect the cost of a remodel.
The October issue of House Beautiful offered the following percentage breakdown for the cost of a kitchen remodel:
30%: construction and labor
25%: design and architecture
20%: cabinetry
15%: appliances
10%: countertops/surfaces/tile
Please recognize that these are estimates that will be affected by scope and material choices. That’s why it is vitally important to work with an experienced professional whose career is dedicated to making dreams come true based on available resources. If you would like guidance for developing a realistic budget for your new kitchen or bath, please give us a call at 603-448-9700 or visit our showroom at 105 Hanover Street, Lebanon, NH.
