How much do contractors charge for remodeling a kitchen? Most remodeling professionals charge by the scale of the project. When trying to figure into your budget how much contractors charge for remodeling...
When trying to figure into your budget how much contractors charge for remodeling a kitchen Jason Flippo, who is the owner and president of Signature Home Improvement Inc, which is a business that concentrates on remodeling kitchens and living areas, says, "Most contractors do not charge by the hour. Probably 95 percent of them don't. They usually charge by the project, and it depends on the details of the project. Let just say, if it is a kitchen remodeling job, you have counter tops, cabinets, floors, back splash, light, paintings and crown molding. On average it could range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000."
To obtain a rough estimate of what it might cost, you need to do a lot of research. Look into the major expenses first, such as cabinets, appliances, countertops and flooring.
If you are going to hire an interior designer to help with these things, that will of course have to be added to your total right from the beginning. Next, try to have some idea of any extras you may want such as lightening, both overhead and task or embellishments such as door handles and drawer pulls. Lastly, you must factor in any incidentals in case you run into problems, such as plumbers and electricians. There are also other labor expenses you have to consider such as painters, installers or trash hauling. Most of the time, a contractor will take care of all of these things, but it is best to have an idea of what it will cost you to compare to his or her estimate. Most experts say to add ten percent on to the total even before figuring in the fees of a contractor to be on the safe side.
After receiving and comparing detailed bids from different contractors, it's time to pare down the budget by deciding what work you can do yourself. If this still isn't enough to fit in your price range, then you need to look everything over and settle on what the most important priorities are for your kitchen remodel and cut off some of the excess amenities that you can live without. Do not skimp on what is necessary for your family, such as storage or layout. A few items that can be left out are things that can always be changed or added later such as sconces, elaborate handles or decorative painting.
If this all sounds a little overwhelming, just keep reminding yourself that it will all be worth it in the end. When done properly, it immediately adds a great deal to your home's worth in terms of equity. The book "Home Project Manager: Kitchen Planner", published in 1997 by Cowles Creative Publishing, puts it best when it states, "Even if you have no plans to sell, investing in your kitchen is a worthwhile endeavor, because it adds immeasurable to the style and 'livability' of your home. When you attend social gatherings, pay attention to how often people congregate in the warm comfort of a spacious, attractive kitchen. In many homes, the kitchen is the favorite family gathering spot. In other words, if the kitchen is very important to your quality of life, then it's worth whatever you're willing to pay for it."
