Building a new house? Read this first.
“No matter where I serve my guests,It seems they like my kitchen best”.
-Wall plaque, circa 1960’s
Your new kitchen may be the most challenging and rewarding aspect of your new construction. Functional as well as beautiful, it is likely to be the most-used area in the house by both inhabitants and guests. Construction cost can vary based on region, design, materials, quality of appliances and type of construction. Careful planning with the help of kitchen designers can help you get the most value for your investment.
Plan Your Kitchen Budget
Consider the fair market value of your new home to determine your kitchen budget. The kitchen represents 10-20% of the fair market value of a home. Investing less than 10% of the fair market value may result in a kitchen that doesn’t meet expectations; exceeding 20% makes it more difficult to recoup expenses upon a sale.
Of the kitchen budget, 50-65% of the cost should be designated for cabinetry and counter tops (or 50% cabinetry and 15% counter tops). Another 15% can be expected for appliances, flooring and other goods like lighting, plumbing fixtures, etc. The remaining 20-35% includes the costs of labor, design elements, contracting services, etc. (Since many contractors figure their costs based per finished square foot, this amount would include the square footage of your kitchen times the cost per square foot.)
Sample Kitchen Budgets
For a home worth $100,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (50-65% of total budget) $ 10,000-13,000Total Budget $20,000
Appliances, flooring and other goods (15% of total budget) $ 3,000
Labor, design, contractors, etc. (20-35% of total budget) $4,000-6,000
For a home worth $250,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (50-65% of total budget) $25,000-32,500
Appliances, flooring and other goods (15% of total budget) $ 7,500
Labor, design, contractors etc. (20-35% of total budget) $10,000-17,500
Total Budget $50,000
For a home worth $300,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (50-65% of total budget) $30,000-39,000
Appliances, flooring and other goods (15% of total budget) $ 9,000
Labor, design, contractors etc. (20-35% of total budget) $12,000-21,000
Total Budget $60,000
For a home worth $400,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (50-65% of total budget) $40,000-52,000
Appliances, flooring and other goods (15% of total budget) $ 12,000
Labor, design, permits, etc. (20-35% of total budget) $16,000-28,000
Total Budget $80,000
Understand Your Options
Depending upon what type of construction you are purchasing, your options vary. Specification or model home construction offers the homeowner little choice in features. Developer-built homes offer choices, but the choices may be limited through a “selection center” or limited design service to personalize features. Custom built homes offer the greatest flexibility in designing a home with the homeowner in mind. Cost, naturally, increase with the degree of flexibility and options offered by the builder.
Work with a Kitchen Designer
The beauty of a kitchen incorporates functionality with personal style. Matching the right mix of styles, colors and materials with personal needs can be challenging. A Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) is well acquainted with your task. Through their training and experience, kitchen designers can help you make the most of your budget and meet your needs. They will be aware of current trends in the industry, and make informed and cost-effective recommendations on design and products.
Kitchen designers will create a design that takes into consideration details such as accessibility concerns, family size, and your entertaining habits. They will draft perspectives, elevations and the floor plan, develop a detailed budget and timeline, take measurements, order products, coordinate work with other contractors and oversee the installation of cabinets. The services of a kitchen designer are well worth the cost, as they may prevent costly errors and future dissatisfaction or remodeling.
As you follow the advice of your CKD, keep the following tips in mind:
• Cabinet door styles and colors make the strongest visual statement, followed by appliances, then flooring and counter tops.
• Work to achieve an overall feeling, rather than trying to match elements exactly.
• The “work triangle” of the sink, stove and refrigerator should be considered for accessibility. These features should be only a matter of steps apart.
• Islands increase your workspace and helps open the floor plan. Islands can reduce walking distance between work zones.
• Multi-leveled island that include dining space can eliminate the need for table and chairs, allowing greater freedom with the floor plan.
• Situating the stove or cook top on a long wall or the island allows sufficient workspace.
• Allow adequate counter space next to the refrigerator.
• Including pantry storage and appliance garages helps keep counter tops clear.
• Combination microwave / exhaust hood frees counter space.
• Rollouts, lazy susans and other internal accessories maximize space conveniently.
• Good lighting is essential. Recessed cans provide general light, under cabinet fixtures provide task lighting, and decorative lighting adds interest.
• Distinguish between your needs and your wants. Prioritize the list, and be willing to make concessions for your top choices. It is easy to overrun a budget with ‘wants.’
• Plan for future upgrades if you need to spread out your costs. Can’t afford the garbage disposal? Ask the electrician to wire for its future installation while the rest of the kitchen is being wired.
Use a Budget for Bathroom Cabinet Designs
While the kitchen is a very public area of the home, a bathroom is very private. Whether the intended users are guests or family members, bathrooms can range from purely functional rooms to luxurious suites. Determining where your new construction bathroom falls on this spectrum depends largely on your budget.
The cost of a new construction bathroom should not exceed 5% of the fair market value of your home. Of this amount, 35% will be cabinets and counter tops, 40% fixtures, flooring and other goods, and 25% includes the costs of labor, design elements, contracting services, etc. (As with kitchen planning, this amount would include the square footage of your bathroom times the contractor’s cost per square foot.)
Sample Bathroom Budgets
For a home worth $100,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (35% of total budget) $ 1,750
Fixtures, flooring and other goods (40% of total budget) $ 2,000
Labor, design, contractors, etc. (25% of total budget) $ 1,250
Total Budget $5,000
For a home worth $250,000:
Cabinets and countertops (35% of total budget) $ 4,375
Fixtures, flooring and other goods (40% of total budget) $ 5,000
Labor, design, contractors, etc. (25% of total budget) $ 3,125
Total Budget $12,500
For a home worth $300,000:
Cabinets and countertops (35% of total budget) $ 5,250
Fixtures, flooring and other goods (40% of total budget) $ 6,000
Labor, design, contractors, etc. (25% of total budget) $ 3,750
Total Budget $15,000
For a home worth $400,000:
Cabinets and counter tops (35% of total budget) $ 7,000
Fixtures, flooring and other goods (40% of total budget) $ 8,000
Labor, design, contractors, etc. (25% of total budget) $ 5,000
Total Budget $20,000
Bathroom Design Tips
Designers can do the same for your bathroom as they do for your kitchen. Simplify your project by taking advantage of their expertise. Here are some things to consider for bathroom cabinet designs:
• Plan adequate ventilation to avoid odors and moisture-related problems like mold and mildew. Open showers particularly require good ventilation at their entrance.
• For ample natural lighting, windows and skylights should equal at least 10% of the bathroom’s square footage.
• Storage space is maximized with internal accessories like pullouts and other inserts.
• To accommodate larger luxury tubs, the water heater should be at least 2/3 the tub capacity.
• Luxury showers may require the addition of a second water heater.
• Some whirlpool tubs and luxury showers require upgrading the pipe size from 1/2” to 3/4”.
• General lighting plus task lighting is necessary in medium to large bathrooms. Task lighting should be positioned to avoid shadows. Dimmer switches enhance a relaxing soak in the tub.
• Consider water-saving fixtures like low-flow or dual flush toilets, and low volume shower heads.
• An additional vanity in the bedroom that shares plumbing through the bathroom wall increases grooming space at a lower cost than an additional full bathroom.
• Consider adding laundry facilities in a bathroom.
• Radiant floor heating systems add comfort.
• Bathroom suites including a water closet / toilet area, shower / bathing area, storage and dressing room are not only luxurious but allow for maximum privacy.
In Any New Construction, Be Prepared.
By anticipating common problems in new construction, many of them may be avoided.
• Identify responsibilities. Confirm that your contractor or kitchen designer will coordinate the sub-contractors, place orders, obtain necessary permits and keep you updated on changes to the timeline.
• Get it in writing.
o Confirm and clarify details so that mis-communications are avoided.
o A timeline can give direction to the contractor as well as assurance to you.
o Ask for written warranties.
• Make selections early in the construction process. Products can be back-ordered for months, and deliveries delayed, damaged, incorrect or incomplete. Custom cabinets may take 12-16 weeks, semi-custom 8-10 weeks, and stock cabinets 4 weeks or less. Counter tops may take a month to arrive on the jobsite.
• Make your selections in person. Ordering products from catalogs or the Internet is risky. Tour display homes and visit showrooms. Gaining popularity in many cities, “experience centers” are combination showcases and live demonstrations where shoppers can try products in sample rooms.
• Communicate with your contractor, but allow him to do his job. It is reasonable to expect regular updates on the status of your new home, but respect the parameters of the contractor’s business.
• Work with only properly licensed and respected contractors.
• Make sure your contractor appropriately pays sub-contractors for their work. Sub-contractors may put a lien on your property, requiring you to pay the sub-contractor (again) what you paid your contractor to complete the work.
• While some aspects of kitchen construction may be do-it-yourself projects (like painting), leave cabinet and counter top installations, plumbing and electrical work to the professionals. Be diligent in respecting timelines for any do-it-yourself aspect of the project. This keeps everyone on schedule.
