What makes a kitchen more or less expensive?

So you’re headed into a remodel job, and watching your bank account at the same time. Smart move. Going into a kitchen remodel job without an idea of the cost can be dangerous, especially if you need to keep a close eye on where your dollars are going. When determining whether to go high-end or budget-savvy on your kitchen, there are several factors that affect the price in a big way. Here are some of the most important ones:

The Materials You Use

• Countertops: Choosing an inexpensive laminate countertop costs far less than installing granite, marble or stone.
• Floors: Linoleum or wood laminate and ordinary tile are on the low end of the budget spectrum, while hardwoods, bamboo or stone will cost more.
• Cabinet: The stock varieties of cabinets are relatively inexpensive, depending on how or where you purchase them. Solid wood cabinetry with customization and more durable construction costs significantly more.

The Brands You Choose

As with any consumer item, brand name affects price. Buying a Rolex versus a Timex watch will reflect a significant difference in price and quality. The same is true with kitchen products, whether they are cabinets, kitchen hoods or countertops.

The Customizations You Want

Your kitchen is the place for customizations galore. If you want a kitchen replete with all the bells, whistles and accoutrements of TV chefs, you’re going to end up paying for it. Stripping away the fancy will save you some bucks.

Appliances

Let’s not forget appliances. Deciding between a $200 range and $14,000 deluxe stove is a significant money difference. Thankfully, there are prices, options and models in between that will help you target the price and quality you’re looking for.