"What's a kitchen going to cost?" is the first question on almost every call. The honest answer is that it depends, but it doesn't depend on mystery. A handful of decisions set the price, and once you know them you can steer the budget where you want it.
1. Are you changing the layout?
This is the biggest one. Keeping the sink, range, and fridge where they are keeps plumbing, gas, and electrical where they are. Moving them means opening walls and floors. If you love how your kitchen works and just hate how it looks, you can put far more of your budget into finishes.
The Keytesville kitchen in our project gallery is a good example: same footprint, but new quartz counters, a full tile backsplash, new floors, and a rebuilt peninsula made it a different room.
2. Cabinets: keep, refresh, or replace
Cabinets are usually the largest single line item. You have three paths:
- Keep them if the boxes are solid and the layout works. New hardware and counters go a long way.
- Refresh them with paint or new doors, if the boxes are sound but the style is dated.
- Replace them when they're damaged, poorly built, or don't fit how you cook.
We'll tell you straight which one makes sense for your kitchen.
3. Countertops
Laminate is the budget option. Quartz is a popular choice now: it's tough, it doesn't need sealing, and it looks clean for years. The total depends on square footage, edge profile, and how many cutouts you need for sinks and cooktops.
4. Backsplash, floors, and lighting
These are where a kitchen gets its personality, and where costs can be dialed up or down. A simple subway tile backsplash costs a fraction of a handmade tile. Luxury vinyl plank costs less than tile and handles spills well. Adding recessed and under-cabinet lighting is one of the best-value upgrades we do.
5. What's behind the walls
Older homes in our area sometimes hide surprises: old plumbing, soft subfloor, or wiring that needs updating. A good contractor looks for these on the walkthrough and tells you up front what might come up, instead of springing it on you halfway through.
Where to save, and where not to
| Worth saving on | Worth spending on |
|---|---|
| Keeping a layout that already works | Countertops you use every day |
| Simple, classic backsplash tile | Good lighting |
| Keeping solid cabinet boxes | Drawers and hardware that hold up |
| Standard appliance sizes | Proper installation and prep |
The bottom line: the only way to get a real number is to look at your kitchen. We'll walk it with you, talk through options at a few price points, and give you a clear written estimate. Call 660-412-2721 or book a project call.
