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Know Where Your Money Goes During a Kitchen Remodel to Keep Costs Down


The average cost of a major kitchen remodel is $56,768, according to Remodeling Magazine. You could possibly control costs during your remodel by knowing where the money goes and how your choices affect the final cost.

HGTV says that labor usually takes anywhere from 20 to 35 percent of project costs and cabinets also taking a big chunk (if not the majority) out of the budget. Here’s the average breakdown:

35 percent: cabinets

20 percent: labor

20 percent: appliances

10 percent windows

5 percent: fixtures

3 percent: fittings

7 percent: other

Your mileage would vary depending on your choices, of course. A complicated design would skew labor higher, while high-end, custom-made cabinets would raise your product costs but not labor and installation by very much.

Knowing the breakdown helps when you’re on a tight budget and evaluating contractors’ estimates or deciding where to splurge and where to save during a remodel.

10 Steps to Budgeting for Your Kitchen Remodel | HGTV

Photo by Sitka Projects.