It’s the room in your house where everyone gathers. The room that provides comfort, conversation, and a place to unwind. The kitchen is the heart of most homes, but there comes a time in the life of most kitchens when a refresh or total makeover is in order. Whether you are looking for a project that preserves the past or one that ushers your kitchen into the 21st century, here’s MLM Incorporated’s comprehensive guide to your kitchen remodel.
Is it worth it to remodel a kitchen?
We all want to get a good return on the investment in our homes. Is a kitchen remodel a good idea? Yes!
Renovating your kitchen provides good returns in more ways than one. Here’s what the numbers say.
You get a big chunk of your investment back
Small kitchen upgrades offer a return on investment of 83%. This means that for every $100 you spend your house increases in value by $83.
Considering a total kitchen renovation? The average return on your investment is around 65%. Compare this to a swimming pool, which may only increase your home’s value by 15%. Not everyone remodels a kitchen just for resale value. When you take the time to design and remodel a kitchen, you and your family get to enjoy the upgrades, too.
Kitchens sell homes
Realtors agree that the kitchen is the selling point of the home. It’s crucial to match your kitchen remodel to existing trends and home values to get the most bang for your buck.
Repairing damage before it gets worse is crucial
In Louisiana, MLM Incorporated offers house flooding solutions that include rebuilding after a flood and protecting against future potential flood damage. Knowing how to repair any damage after it floods can be a big part of your kitchen remodel after a disaster strikes.
A kitchen remodel makes life easier
That old dishwasher that leaks, drawers that stick, not enough counter space for a growing family: all of these issues can be addressed with a gorgeous new kitchen remodel. Since we spend so much time in the kitchen, having a beautiful, functional space is important.
Where to start with your kitchen remodel
We want our homes to reflect us. We also want to enjoy our daily life inside them. A kitchen remodel can make cooking, dining, and spending time with friends and family more enjoyable.
Remodeling a kitchen is a big job, though. As with most big projects in life, good planning makes all the difference. With MLM design services, the remodel design will be one less thing to worry about.
Brainstorm needs and nice-to-haves
Start with the basics. The sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your kitchen remodel, but most people are working with a more down-to-earth budget. Come up with two lists: a “needs” list and “nice-to-have” list.
For the “needs” list—depending on the scope of your kitchen remodel—consider:
- New cabinets
- Counters (new materials and/or more countertop)
- Backsplash and/or tile work
- Flooring
- New appliances
- Sinks and faucets
- New windows and/or ventilation
- Updated lighting
- Updated fixtures, like drawer pulls and light switches
The “nice-to-have” list is where your imagination can run wild. Think about:
- A dedicated beverage station (e.g., espresso station or wine bar)
- State-of-the-art “smart” appliances
- A new kitchen layout
- Specialized storage
- Cook’s tools (e.g., a pot filler or professional range)
- More storage or an upgraded pantry
- Historically accurate materials and finishes (especially for historic renovations)
Without planning, these options can easily get away from you. Take some time to think about how you use your kitchen, what’s not working, and what your priorities are for your kitchen remodel.
Then move on to your budget.
Look at kitchen remodel cost and your budget
You can spend $500 for updated drawers pulls, a new faucet, and maybe some lights, or you can spend $125,000 or more for a completely new kitchen layout. So how do you decide on a budget?
When you’re ready, follow one rule of thumb: plan to spend between five and 15% of the value of your home on a kitchen remodel. Where you fall in that range is up to you, but more than that and you risk not getting as much of a return on your investment.
How much of your budget should go to each area of renovation?
Take a look at these recommendations from HomeAdvisor and the National Kitchen and Bath Association:
- Cabinetry and hardware: 29%
- Installation: 17%
- Appliances and ventilation: 14%
- Countertops: 10%
- Flooring: 7%
- Lighting: 5%
- Walls and ceilings: 5%
- Design fees: 4%
- Doors and windows: 4%
- Faucets and plumbing: 4%
These are just estimates and will vary depending on your needs, but they are a good place to start. You can also see our article on where to negotiate on costs for a kitchen remodel here. As a good rule, you should spend more on things you don’t want to replace as often (e.g., cabinets and appliances). Don’t forget to build in a “budget buffer” between ten and 15%.
Consider time frame and other factors
Think about how quickly you want the job to be done and how possible that time frame is. Chances are good that historical renovations will take a little longer than other types, so plan for that.
If you are tearing your kitchen down to the studs right after Thanksgiving, it may not be ready by the holidays. Are you prepared to work around the renovation while it happens, or should you consider scheduling at another time?
Make sure you are clear about your goals for your kitchen remodel in terms of time frame and scope of the project before you begin.
What are some of the best kitchen remodeling ideas?
For many people, a kitchen remodel centers on adding functionality and value to their homes. There are a few ways to make that happen.
Plan for a better kitchen space
Experts agree that a “work triangle” between the stove, sink, and refrigerator offers the easiest-to-use kitchen layout. If yours isn’t set up that way, planning for a kitchen space that has better flow is a great idea to start with.
Further, if you find that your counters and appliances aren’t sized correctly for your space (or you!), now’s the time to fix that, too.
Consider multiple uses
Does your family naturally congregate in the kitchen, hovering around and making it hard to cook? Consider adding more functional seating or separate workspaces (like a kitchen island with barstool seating) to accommodate that.
Think about your own style
Have you always wanted open cabinets with an industrial flair? A cozy window seat? Custom cabinets to house professional appliances? All of these things can be designed into your kitchen remodel.
Go for an overall update
Perhaps you are just looking for a functional, clean kitchen that doesn’t require frills and gadgets. Invest in high-quality countertops, durable and beautiful floors, and upgraded appliances to get the most out of your kitchen.
Sometimes the best way to figure out what you want is by getting inspiration from other projects. MLM Incorporated has an extensive library of our past projects that reflect many different styles. Use that as a springboard for your own kitchen remodel.
FAQs about a kitchen remodel
While the specific answers to these questions vary from project to project, these are some of the most frequently asked questions about kitchen remodels. Don’t see your question here? Don’t hesitate to contact our team at MLM Incorporated for more information!
How much do kitchen remodels cost?
The average kitchen remodel costs just over $25,000. Expect to pay between $75 and $250 per square foot on your kitchen remodel. Of course, this will largely depend on your current home’s value, your budget, and the features you want to update.
What’s the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets and their hardware will generally take up 29% of your kitchen remodel budget, with the installation of your kitchen coming in second (17% of your budget).
How long does it take to remodel a kitchen?
Again, this depends on the scope of the work. If you are doing a full kitchen remodel that includes any plumbing or electrical changes in addition to new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and so forth, expect a three to five-month timeline.
Less extensive updates may take considerably less time.
The importance of working with professionals
Working with professionals is the best way to ensure a beautiful, functional, and long-lasting kitchen remodel.
Why? Professionals:
- Provide the expertise to do the job right, from the start
- Can help translate your brainstormed ideas into reality
- Have access to high-quality materials that DIYers may not be able to find
- Make sure your remodel is safe and up to code
- Keep your job on track, on time, and on budget
MLM Incorporated specializes in southern Louisiana residential kitchen renovations that fit your life perfectly. Our experienced, professional team can help you make your kitchen dreams a reality. From the first idea to the first meal you cook in your renovated kitchen, we are here to get the job done right. When you are ready to start planning your kitchen remodel, give MLM Incorporated a call to set up an estimate!