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Kitchen
Allowances, Budgets, Costs
Cost Allocation
Once you have determined your budget, deciding where and how it should be spent can be confusing, especially with all of the options that are available.
A recent national survey conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association offers a guideline for allocating your construction budget.
They found that on average, consumers working with a kitchen designer, spent 48% on cabinetry, 18% on Countertops, 15% on appliances, 6% on faucets/sinks/plumbing, 5% on lighting/electrical, 5% on flooring and 3% on wall treatment/molding/trim.
How much you actually spend on what, will depend on your priorities and willingness to compromise. If you really want a $3000 range and the cost is more than the allocation for appliances, you may be able to adjust your spending in the other areas, and still have the type of kitchen you want.
The table below illustrates the cost allocation for the 3 budget levels for a $300,000 house, based on the NKBA figures.
| Kitchen Project - Typical Allocation Table - $300,000 House | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Budget |
Category |
% of Budget |
Total Allocation |
Allocation for Labor 18% * |
Available Allocation |
|
| $15,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Moldings/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 7,200 2,700 2,250 900 750 750 450 |
$ 1,296 486 405 162 135 135 81 |
$ 5,904 2,214 1,845 738 615 615 369 |
|
| $24,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Molding/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 11,520 4,320 3,600 1,440 1,200 1,200 720 |
$ 2,074 778 648 259 216 216 130 |
$ 9,446 3,542 2,952 1,181 984 984 590 |
|
| $45,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Molding/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 21,600 8,100 6,750 2,700 2,250 2,250 1,350 |
$ 3,888 1,458 1,215 486 405 405 243 |
$ 17,712 6,642 5,535 2,214 1,845 1,845 1,107 | |
| * Actual labor cost will vary by geographical region, by contractor and by project scope | ||||||
Your Money's Worth
Manufacturers typically offer several levels of quality within each budget range. This actually makes easier to spend more on the items that mean the most to you, a little less on other things, and still have the type of kitchen you really want.
Below is a summary of what can be expected within each budget level for our sample $300,000 house. This summary is by no means complete and is intended only to provide a quick comparison of features.
| Kitchen Budget vs. Available Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Amount $5,000 - $20,000 |
Budget Amount $20,000 - $45.000 |
Budget Amount $45,000 + |
|
| Cabinets | Stock |
Semi-Custom | Custom |
| Countertops | Laminate | Wood, tile, or solid surface | Stainless steel, stone, or solid surface |
| Appliances | Freestanding with standard features | Built-in w/ Standard Features or Freestanding with paneled fronts |
Built-in with professional-style features |
| Faucets/Fixtures/ Plumbing |
Stainless steel, self-rimming single- or double-bowl sink, food disposal | Multiple undermount, enameled cast iron or stainless steel sinks, food disposer | Multiple solid surface, integral sinks and pot-filler faucet by the range, food disposal, hot water dispenser, |
| Lighting/Electrical | central overhead fixture, fixture over sink | overhead fixture, fixture over sink, or recessed lighting | recessed lighting, task lighting over work centers |
| Flooring | Vinyl or Laminate |
Ceramic Tile | Stone or Hardwood |
| Walls, Moldings, Architectural Details | Painted or vinyl walls and ceilings with simple or no trim and moldings | Some detail work in moldings and trim | Extensive moldings and trim, hand-carved accents, glass tops, chrome finishes |
Remember: All projects have a way of growing beyond initial budgets, no matter what the amount. Plan on spending only 80 percent of what you can afford. Put the additional 20 percent in reserve to cover changes, unforeseen problems, and miscellaneous charges.
The High-End Custom Kitchen
In addition to being larger, the budget for the high-end custom kitchen is usually allocated to more than one room (butler's pantry, scullery, larder, etc.), increasing the number of cabinets required, as well as duplicate appliances for convenience.
| High-End Custom Kitchen Features | ||
| Cabinets | Custom | |
| Countertops |
Multiple work surfaces suited to task Stainless Steel, Stone (marble, granite, etc.), Wood |
|
| Appliances | Professional Equipment (built-in or freestanding) Duplicate equipment such as Dishwashers Warming ovens, Refrigeration drawers, Wine Chillers, |
|
| Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing |
Multiple sinks & faucets Pot Filler by the cooktop/range |
|
| Lighting/Electrical |
Overhead Lighting recessed or track Task Lighting at all work centers Interior cabinet lighting |
|
| Flooring | Stone, Ceramic Tile, Hardwood | |
|
Walls, Moldings & Architectural Details |
Detailed Crown Molding Detailed Trim Molding Hand Carved Accents |
|
However, the same percentages used to allocate expenses for the typical kitchen project can also be used as a guideline for the high-end custom kitchen.
The table below uses the 20% maximum budgets for the sample $500,000, $750,000, and $1,000,000 homes.
| High-End Kitchen Project - Allocation Table | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Budget |
Category |
% of Budget |
Total Allocation |
Allocation for Labor 18% * |
Available Allocation |
|
| $100,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Moldings/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 48,000 18,000 15,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 3,000 |
$ 8,640 3,240 2,700 1,080 900 900 540 |
$ 39,360 14,760 12,300 4,920 4,100 4,100 2,460 |
|
| $150,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Molding/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 72,000 27,000 22,500 9,000 7,500 7,500 4,500 |
$ 12,960 4,860 4,050 1,620 1,350 1,350 810 |
$ 59,040 22,140 18,450 7,380 6,150 6,150 3,690 |
|
| $200,000 | Cabinetry Countertops Appliances Faucets/Fixtures/Plumbing Lighting/Electrical Flooring Walls/Molding/Trim |
48% 18% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% |
$ 96,000 36,000 30,000 12,000 10,000 10,000 6,000 |
$ 17,280 6,480 5,400 2,160 1,800 1,800 1,080 |
$ 78,720 29,520 24,600 9,840 8,200 8,200 4,920 |
|
| * Actual labor cost will vary by geographical region, by contractor and by project scope | ||||||
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