What is the Most Expensive Room to Remodel and Why

Posted By

Posted By

Helene McQuaide

What is the Most Expensive Room to Remodel and Why

Posted By

Posted By

Helene McQuaide

The most-used room in your home is also the most costly to renovate. In fact, Pittsburgh homeowners who complete upscale major kitchen remodels can expect to spend $128,533, according to the 2018 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling.com. Here are a few reasons why kitchen remodels cost more than other home remodeling projects.

The Best Cabinets and Countertops Aren’t Cheap

Stock cabinets may be perfectly adequate if you’re trying to remodel your kitchen inexpensively, but they’re not the best choice if you want a one-of-a-kind kitchen with high-end finishes. Stock cabinets are only available in a fairly small range of sizes, which limits your flexibility. If you plan to use them, you’ll have to design your kitchen around the size of the cabinets.

Although custom cabinets are more expensive, they’re built to meet your specifications. If you need a cabinet that’s 30” high and 43 ½” wide, that’s what you’ll get. Not a fan of oak or cherry cabinets? Custom cabinets can be constructed of mahogany, bamboo, zebrawood or any other type of wood you desire. Custom cabinets for an upscale remodel can cost $30,000 or more, depending on the number of cabinets and the type of wood used.

Countertop choices also add to the price tag. Although granite, Corian, solid surface, glass, soapstone and other materials boost the price of your remodel, they’ll last for years with proper care.

Smart Appliances Offer Convenience and Increased Cost

Nearly every appliance, from the refrigerator to the oven, offers smart controls these days. Ovens that learn your favorite recipes and adjust cooking times automatically, crockpots that can be controlled remotely, and refrigerators that provide photos of their contents make your life easier, but convenience comes at a price. Appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring and other materials can easily account for 60 to 70 percent of your budget.

Electrical and Plumbing Changes Add Up

Major kitchen remodels often involve changing the location of plumbing and electrical lines. Even if you don’t move anything, it may be necessary to replace outdated lines or fixtures or add new lines if you plan to add a wine chiller, fire feature or additional dishwasher to your kitchen. Because electrical and plumbing changes aren’t obvious, it’s easy to overlook them and underestimate their cost.

Additions Provide Much Needed Space for a Price

Kitchen size wasn’t always considered an important feature, particularly in Pittsburgh homes built in the early- to mid-1900s. Back then, a kitchen was considered spacious if it had room for a small table. Fortunately, thing have changed. Today, the average kitchen in a two-story home is 174 square feet, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s U.S. Kitchen Size Report. If your kitchen doesn’t measure up, or 174 square feet isn’t quite big enough, it makes sense to allocate a little more to your remodeling budget to pay for an addition.

Whether you want to update your Squirrel Hill, PA, kitchen or add a kitchen/great room combination to your Cranberry home, Master Remodelers can help you create a beautiful, updated kitchen that adds value to your home. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Sources:

Remodeling.com: 2018 Cost vs. Value Report

https://s3.amazonaws.com/HW_Assets/CVV_Assets/2018/Consumer/pittsburghpa.pdf

HGTV: Kitchen Cabinet Prices

http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/kitchen-cabinet-prices

National Kitchen and Bath Association: U.S. Kitchen Size Report

https://www.slideshare.net/NationalKitchenBathA/nkba-us-kitchen-size-report

Share

More Updates