The first question you’re going to ask yourself when you want to redo your kitchen (regardless of whether you’re just in daydream territory or in full-on “let’s do this” mode) is: How much is this kitchen renovation going to cost me? No, really…How. Much. And we bet you can’t find a figure that makes sense.
So let’s just be honest for a second here. The reason why it’s hard to get a straight answer — or if the numbers you’re finding on the web feel super off — is because there is no hard-and-fast average cost of a kitchen renovation. There are just too many variables that influence the total amount: How big is your kitchen? Do you need new appliances? And most importantly, what level of reno are you looking at? If you’re aiming for a DIY and/or budget renovation, obviously that’s going to be a lot less. But if you’re curious about Isla Porter cabinetry, it’s safe to assume you’re looking to achieve a design that lands somewhere between high-end and luxury.
And those are numbers that we know. So, below, we’ve outlined some solid ballpark cost ranges to budget out your renovation if you’re going the upscale route, or as we call it…Classy Kitchen Level: Activated.
Evaluate Your Kitchen Size and Cabinetry Costs
The most logical place to start is to think about the size of your kitchen, and then figure out how much cabinetry you need. Cabinets are the most expensive component of a kitchen renovation, so we’ll start by establishing those costs, and then provide a figure (including cabinetry expenses) that estimates your “all-in” cost (new appliances, countertops, flooring, labor, etc.).
Homeowner Pricing by Kitchen Size
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Small Kitchen: 60 to 120 square feet
- Cabinetry Cost: $35,000 to $50,000
- All-in Cost: $65,000 to $80,000
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Medium-Sized Kitchen: 120 to 250 square feet
- Cabinetry Cost: $65,000 to $100,000
- All-in Cost: $90,000 to $160,000
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Large Kitchen: 250+ square feet
- Cabinetry Cost: $100,000 and up
- All-in Cost: $200,000 and up
Why Custom Cabinetry Costs More
Designers and homeowners have several options when it comes to selecting cabinetry, and that includes:
- Stock Cabinets ($): These are ready-made cabinets that are generally not customizable. You buy what is offered and make it fit your space.
- Semi-Custom Cabinets ($$): Semi-custom cabinetry has standard sizes and selections which you can modify, but you are starting with standard pieces. The cabinetry tends to be modular.
- Custom Cabinets ($$$): Custom cabinetry is generally made to order without standard sizing. This cabinetry can be made to your own specifications and the cabinetry can be made modular or as combined pieces. Custom cabinetry allows you to create unique pieces and arrangements.
Isla Porter is custom. We use the highest quality materials, and our cabinetry is fully custom down to 1/16”, meaning no inch of your home is wasted. Thanks to our use of AI technology, we bring a greater design value than most fully custom lines. We can adapt quickly to trends, and our system cuts down significantly on your kitchen design process and shipping wait times. Our AI tool also allows for greater pricing transparency so we easily adjust your vision to match a budget.
An added bonus? Our Forever Kitchen Warranty, which is a limited lifetime warranty that our cabinetry products will be free of defects in the materials and workmanship under normal use for as long as you own your home.
What “Hidden” Fees Might Come Up in My Kitchen Renovation?
(Sorry, it’s a long list.)
- Material Cost Variation: Yeah, it’s the economy. And it’s also the supply chain. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the cost of all building materials — not just kitchen stuff — go up.
- Lighting: Don’t forget lighting.
- Hardware: Could be a small amount of money, but can add up depending on quality and how many doors/drawers you have.
- Plumbing: If you’re reorganizing the layout of your kitchen, and moving sinks and dishwashers, you’ll need to budget extra for plumbing, which can easily cost you $10,000.
- Permits: Going along with the above, if you are moving plumbing or electrical elements in your kitchen, this may require building permits. These will be a small part of your overall budget — just something to be aware of.
- Location: Labor and materials can vary greatly across our great nation. It might seem obvious, but a kitchen renovation in Manhattan or Los Angeles is almost certainly going to cost more than a reno in Akron, Ohio.
- Designer Fee: If you’re using a designer, this fee varies a lot depending on the level and notoriety of the designer. Designers tend to offer two structures. One, they will charge you an hourly base. The typical hourly base for a mid-level interior designer ranges from $250-$300 per hour. Otherwise, a designer will start with a retaining fee, which can begin around $10,000 and go up. It really depends on the scale of work: Are you hiring a designer to work on an entire house/a selection of rooms, or are you just looking for someone to work on the kitchen?
Which Kitchen Components Will Cost More vs. Save Money In a Kitchen Renovation?
Two areas that vary widely in offerings and cost? Countertops and appliances. Here, we’ll outline levels of countertops and offer guidance in appliance brand tiers (brands that we love!).
Countertops:
- Most Expensive: Calacatta gold marble
- Mid-Tier: Dolomite, Carrara marble, quartzite, butcherblock
- Budget-Friendly: Soapstone, quartz
Appliances:
- Most Expensive: La Cornue, Lacanche, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Fisher & Paykel
- Mid-Tier: Monogram, Miele, Thermador, ILVE
- Budget-Friendly: Big box retailers, AJ Madison (pro tip: they have decent pricing specials)
Isla Porter Cabinet Pricing
On average, Isla Cabinets run about $1,800-$2,500 per linear foot. Our average order value for a homeowner with 30 linear feet of cabinetry (or about a 200-square-foot) kitchen is about $65,000.
Trade members receive an exclusive discount.
If you’re looking for ways to save money on Isla Porter cabinetry, we have a few pointers. We cover these options more in-depth in our Cost Savings Guide.
- Overlay Cabinetry: Our overlay cabinetry is simpler in construction and while it is crafted with the same quality materials and expertise, it is 15% less than our inset construction.
- Painted Cabinets: Painted finishes from our collection of 60+ hand-selected colors are lower in cost than our wood finishes or custom color option.
- Door Style: Our door styles are ranked in price from Groups A-E. You’ll find our most cost-effective options in Groups A and B.
- Interior Finish: We offer a few options for interior finish. To keep costs lower, opt for maple, which is our standard interior finish and is included in your cabinetry cost.
- Toe Kicks: Design your project with our standard solid plywood toe kicks. Decorative aprons will be 10% higher in cost than our standard option.
- Organizational Inserts: We offer a wide range of organizational inserts, which are considered additional features and require added cost.
Breaking Down the Isla Porter Designer Fee (aka Yes We Are Plugging Our Company)
Here’s some good news for all you homeowners who want to attempt a kitchen renovation without hiring a designer (btw, we are very pro-designer, but definitely understand if that’s not an option): We offer a $3,000 package that will allow you to develop a design with our staff, and this cost will be credited toward your cabinetry purchase. For more on these offerings, visit our Homeowner Guide.
And if you’re a designer, this package will streamline your process and act as a cost incentive for your client.
And there you have it. Hopefully this guide has quelled at least some of your frustration about evaluating your kitchen renovation cost. If you’re still confused, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Click here to schedule a call with one of our expert reps.
