Factors that Affect Costs in a Houston Kitchen Remodel

Whether it’s material or installation costs, choice of contractor or delays, there are a variety of factors that can tip your kitchen remodel budget in the right or wrong direction.

Here at ALE Renovations, in Houston, Texas, we approach each project with a candid budget discussion, along with realistic expectations, and a project bid that accurately pinpoints all costs of your remodel with nothing changing unless change orders are requested.

Some of the below factors that can affect costs in a kitchen renovation are obvious, and some not so much. Let’s look at them below.

How much does a kitchen remodel REALLY cost?

There are several things that can affect costs when it comes to a kitchen remodel. How big is your kitchen? What type of materials are you hoping to use? Do you want to move walls or plumbing, etc.?

 When it comes to approaching a renovation of your kitchen, know that the budget range is dependent on many factors, and it can vary drastically from one kitchen project to another.

A kitchen remodel that’s purely aesthetic updates, such as new cabinet-fronts, paint, fresh backsplash tile and countertops could cost on average $30,000. Whereas a kitchen remodel that requires moving walls, installing beams, re-routing plumbing and/or electrical, plus the above-mentioned aesthetic updates like paint, tile, countertops can cost upwards of $100,000. 

Let’s discuss a few different elements within kitchen remodels and how they can affect costs.

Cabinetry

Cabinets can often be one of the bigger-ticket items in a kitchen reno. Whether you’re opting for brand new custom-built cabinets, or opting to keep the cabinet boxes, but update the door & drawer fronts, hinges and slides, the cost is usually significant because they’re a main kitchen feature and there are several of them!  

The size of your kitchen and number of cabinets needed will undoubtedly affect costs, but so will the type of cabinets you choose. For example, drawer bases cost more than door bases due to labor and materials. And cabinets with pullouts or specific organizational aspects like pegs for plates or storage for spices will cost more.

On average, cabinets can cost approximately $450 per linear foot. Also, don’t forget, additional costs include the type of hardware chosen, plus installation of each.

Countertops

Countertops are another large expense when it comes to a kitchen update. Countertops are generally much easier to replace than flooring or cabinets, so if your budget is tight, consider installing new countertops to upgrade the space.

By far the most popular material choice in kitchen remodels right now is Quartz. Because it’s man-made, the material has the look of natural stone, but is considerably easier to take care of. Quartz can range anywhere from $85-150 per a square foot.

Be wary of lower-cost, imported quartz options, and do your due-diligence. Often the price can be great, but there can be flaws or warranty issues.

Appliances

Prices and wait times for appliances can really run the gamut these days, fortunately it seems appliance manufacturers are getting back on schedule… somewhat. Take note that appliances can drastically affect the cost of a kitchen remodel depending on the type, package, and brand.

Some appliances such as dishwashers or refrigerators are easier to swap out in a kitchen remodel, whereas wall ovens, or ranges can have constraints due to size of the existing space or cabinetry that needs to be modified.  

A basic kitchen appliance package can cost on average around $4,000. However, these are usually packages that a budget builder would use. They will get the job done but can lack on look and features.

Labor

While other contractors might sacrifice quality to lower costs, we simply do not work that way. Every project ALE Renovations works on in the Houston-area, whether it’s West University, Bellaire, Tanglewood, Memorial, the Galleria-Area or Spring Valley, is completed with the same high-standard of labor and procedures as the next.

Modifying the scope of work and/or reducing the number of items tackled in a kitchen remodel can be a great way to save money on labor – when less trades are involved, the costs can go down significantly.

Adding new electrical outlets will cost more than keeping old ones, and simply swapping out the cover plates. A custom-built white oak island will cost more to create than a paint-grade version.

One thing we strongly advise is to be honest when discussing the design process, and to not compromise, unless you’re totally sure you won’t be disappointed.

One of the reasons we often see change orders during a project is because a client was too conservative during the design process. However, once the project begins, they change their mind and want to add more labor or different materials. A change order can often be more expensive in the long run, than if the client had simply planned for those items from the start of the project.

Your Choice of Contractor

Sometimes the least expensive estimate can end up being the costliest when it comes to a remodeling project. Choosing the right contractor is the MOST important step in any project, and there are a variety of factors to consider.

Chances are you’re shopping around… as you should. Check out our “Suggested questions to ask a contractor before hiring” blog post.

You might see that prices vary vastly between contractors and the bids you’ve received. Often the price differential can be difficult to understand. How can there be a $25,000-$35,000 price difference between two contractors on the same project?

However, if you take some time to understand the differences, chances are you’ll be better equipped to make the best choice of contractor for your remodel.

Experienced and more trusted contractors will tend to charge more because they have higher quality standards, often have a team or crew, such as a construction superintendent who is on-site daily, or a project manager who facilitates your remodel from start to finish. These overhead costs can increase the price of a project but are also critical to having an outstanding experience when it comes to communication and service.

The accuracy of a contractor’s estimate can also cause a large discrepancy from one to the other. A contractor may just provide you with a lump-sum amount for your kitchen remodel, but not detail the various aspects – this tends to cause major headaches and can significantly throw off both a budget and time it takes to complete a remodel.

Don’t rely on assumptions. Assuming a contractor is including labor and materials in an estimate might cause issues. Other contractors may include materials “allowances”, and intentionally make these numbers low so you accept their bid. Again, do your research and be wary of numbers that seem too good to be true.

ALE Renovations will never just give you a ballpark number when it comes to any project. We pride ourselves in creating detailed estimates that will breakdown every single price and line item each, leaving no questions as to what your remodel will cost.

Let us help you with your next kitchen remodel!

Remodeling costs can vary on a variety of factors. For your kitchen remodel, it’s best to work with a quality contractor who communicates their entire process from start to finish.

ALE Renovations will work with you every step of the way to make your dream kitchen a reality. We strive to be transparent in our pricing, provide quality service and communication and make sure your kitchen remodel is everything you wanted and more. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consult.