Your Guide to Ceiling-Height Kitchen Cabinets in Memorial Houston

When embarking on a kitchen remodel, amongst the many decisions needing to be made is whether to opt for ceiling-height cabinets or not. Deciding whether to extend your kitchen cabinets to the ceiling or leave a gap is a design choice that depends on several factors.

Ceiling-height kitchen cabinets are cabinets that have no space at the top and run all the way up to the ceiling. Previously, a gap between cabinet tops and the ceiling was standard. However, ceiling-height kitchen cabinets are growing in popularity due to a variety of reasons including extra cabinet space and aesthetically pleasing style configurations.

Here are some considerations to help you make the decision.

If you’re thinking about Ceiling-Height Kitchen Cabinets

You’ll want to first consider the height of your ceiling. If you’re working with 8 Ft ceilings, you’ll want to use a 39” or 42” upper cabinet to reach the ceiling. Crown molding may also be used at the top of the cabinet. If you have 9 Ft ceilings, a stacked cabinet is best suited for the space. Instead of a single door, the cabinet will have two doors stacked upon one another – often, but not always, with glass door panels for the top (smaller) cabinet. Keep in mind, stacked cabinets do cost more.

However, if your ceilings are over 9 Ft high, ceiling-height kitchen cabinets may look overwhelming and be a bit impractical.

Three reasons why ceiling-height cabinets may be for you

1.    Storage Space

Extending cabinets to the ceiling will undoubtedly provide extra storage space, something that can be especially valuable in a smaller kitchen. Upper cabinets can be utilized for items you don’t access or regularly need such as vases, china or serveware. As you can see in the photo above from a kitchen remodel in Spring Branch, the homeowner opted to raise the cabinets to the ceiling and stack a smaller cabinet above with glass door panels to display their high-end glassware.

2.    Eliminate dead space

Ceiling-height cabinets will immediately eliminate the dead space between the cabinet top and ceiling that collects dust and requires cleaning. This reason alone is why we see many clients opt for ceiling-height cabinetry.

3.    Create a more open feel

With cabinets that run to the ceiling, the eye can be tricked into thinking the space is larger than it is. A general rule of thumb is lighter cabinets blend into the space and make it feel more open, whereas painting cabinets a darker shade can make the space feel smaller – even if the cabinets run all the way up to the ceiling.

Why You May Not Want to opt for Ceiling-Height Kitchen Cabinets

In a smaller kitchen, ceiling-height cabinets can work against the design aesthetic; instead making it feel smaller. We often recommend in smaller kitchens, to bring the cabinet height close to the ceiling, and putting lights above them to create a similar feeling of making the space look larger than it is.

Often, we also see homes that have unusual ceiling heights, crown molding detailing along the ceiling or a beam that perhaps runs across the ceiling. In circumstances like this, it’s important to work closely with a designer or know what exactly you’re looking for when it comes to kitchen functionality and cabinet usage.

If your kitchen ceiling slopes on one side but not the other, perhaps you opt to run one set of cabinets up to the ceiling but keep a gap between the ceiling and cabinet top on the other side. There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to installing ceiling-height kitchen cabinets, as the decision heavily relies on dimensions of the space, storage needs and design preferences.

Keep in mind too, extending kitchen cabinets to the ceiling comes at a premium. ALE Renovations works closely with our carpenter to create custom cabinetry for our clients. Extending cabinets to the ceiling will not only add to the cost of construction materials and labor, but it will also add to the overall cost of your kitchen renovation with the addition of more knobs and/or pulls, glass inserts and/or more shelving or lighting.

Still not sure on the decision of ceiling-height cabinets or not? ALE Renovations can help.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preferences, your style aesthetic, and the practical considerations that matter most to you. After all, it is your kitchen that YOU will be using daily.

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect solution for your kitchen remodel, we at ALE Renovations here in Houston are here to help and offer advice on your specific space and needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Primary Bathroom Remodel in Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston

Primary Bathroom Remodel in Tanglewood Neighborhood of Houston

A functional update to a dated and wonky primary bathroom

• New custom-built vanity and marble countertop

• Newly reconfigured walk-in shower with new subway tile, rainhead shower head and glass shower door

• New toilet relocated for more privacy

• Tile wainscot wall detail

• Wood-look porcelain tile flooring

• Updated lighting + new hardware and fixtures

• Fresh paint for walls, ceiling & trim

• Total cost: $45,000

An outdated and strangely configured primary bathroom, needed a refresh, especially when it came to function. Because the homeowner would be selling the home following completion, the floorplan remained mostly the same, but the secondary shower was removed and replaced with the toilet for privacy. Aesthetic updates were also made to create a spa-like oasis.

Before, there was a separate toilet/shower/tub room. Yes, you read that right, there was a tub/shower on the left side of the space and a walk-in shower on the right side, with a toilet smack in the middle.

It was decided immediately that the walk-in shower to the right would be deleted, and the existing space and plumbing utilized for a toilet area with additional privacy. The tub/shower combo would be removed for a spacious walk-in shower, coupled with a large shower head for an ultra spa-like feel.

The double vanity location remained the same, but the dated version was replaced with a new, custom built vanity by our carpenter, plus an updated marble countertop, sinks and faucets.

While there were no large physical changes to the footprint of this bathroom, there were many updates made.

• A new custom-built vanity cabinet with marble countertop

• New sinks & faucets

• New walk-in shower with rainhead shower head, subway tile and shower glass

• Tile wainscot detail on watercloset wall

• A brand new toilet

• New wood tile flooring

• New hardware & mirror

• Updated LED trim for the can lighting and a new sconce light fixture above the sink

• Replace dated exhaust fan and create a new can light over the shower

• Fresh paint on the walls, ceiling, trim and accent paint color for vanity cabinet

In total, this Tanglewood neighborhood bathroom remodel project in Houston cost about $45,000 and took about 7 weeks to complete.

Contact ALE Renovations if you’d like to discuss a bathroom remodel for your home.

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.