You may be considering a kitchen remodel in Austin. If so, you may wonder where to start and how much you need to invest.
In some cases, you can get away with a minor kitchen remodel. The best first step to take is to envision your kitchen post-remodel. What changes do you see?
Next, consider other homes in the neighborhood. How can you make your kitchen stand out? In the event you need or want to sell your home, your kitchen can make or break a deal.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about kitchen renovations in Austin.
Kitchen renovations can be intimidating, they require an investment, and decisions are hard to reverse once executed. Most of us only renovate a kitchen once, or maybe twice, during our lifetimes. Rather than spending valuable time hunting down the right person for the job and communicating your vision, you can work with Skipp. Together, we will create beautiful spaces in your home that you’re going to love.
At Skipp, we offer industry-leading kitchen renovation solutions. Here’s what you can expect:
The size and scope of your kitchen renovation can impact the cost. While we have provided average costs below, keep in mind that you are in the driver’s seat.
If you have a budget, you should express that early on with your designer, architect, or contractor. Whoever your trusted source is for planning should know about your budget. If you have a limited budget, you want to make it go as far as you can, without cutting any corners.
The last thing you want to do is cheap out on kitchen renovations. A poorly renovated kitchen may be worse than an outdated kitchen. At Skipp, you can work with an expert designer to bring the kitchen of your dreams to life, the right way, without breaking the bank.
Let’s take a look at what a small or budget remodel, medium or mid-grade remodel, and major or high-end remodel costs:
Small / Minor Reno: Starting at $20,000
Medium / Mid-Grade Reno: Starting at $35,000
Major / High-End Reno: Starting at $65,000
As you begin budgeting your kitchen renovation, you may wonder what a breakdown of the costs looks like. While it can vary from kitchen to kitchen, here’s a general idea of the cost breakdown for a kitchen renovation in Austin:
Working with a professional designer is a smart idea, regardless of how big or small your budget is. With home prices on the rise in San Francisco, many homeowners are doing everything they can to maximize the value of their homes.
In a highly populated and crowded area with limited real estate, you may be competing with other homeowners for available designers and contractors. While homeowners often believe they should consult a contractor before remodeling a kitchen, this is not always the case.
Contractors often take advantage of customers by pushing what is quickest and most convenient for them. For example, if a contractor has granite countertops readily available, but you want soapstone, they may talk you out of the soapstone. It’s not because soapstone is bad, but rather, it’s because granite is easier for them.
When you work with a professional designer, you can ensure that your kitchen turns out exactly the way you want it. Working with the Skipp design team will ensure that you don’t skip a step in the remodel process. For a portion of the cost and no hassle, you can get your dream kitchen.
At Skipp, we work directly with local contractors to bring your ideas to life. Before reaching out to a contractor you should design and plan your space. With Skipp, you can work with a professional designer from the comfort of your own home.
After taking measurements of your space, you will work with a kitchen interior designer. We can help you create a personalized layout based on your budgets, needs, and preferences.
Contractors often capitalize on selling materials and outsourcing work to skilled laborers. When you work with Skipp, you can save on your renovation with our connections and expertise. Our network of trustworthy and affordable construction professionals in the Austin area are ready to take on your project.
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Kitchen remodels in Austin, Texas, can cost between $20,00 up to $65,000, depending on the amount of work involved and level of change. Although, with some cost-saving methods, you may be able to get the remodel down to around $11,000. Kitchen remodels will also cost you time.
On average, a kitchen remodel will take 6 to 8 weeks for smaller renovations but up to five months for larger remodels. The listed time frame does not include the planning stages necessarily. During this time, you will also need to plan for a secondary cooking space.
The price of a kitchen remodel adds up quickly when you consider how much requires payment. A remodel includes cabinets, hardware, countertops, appliances, electrical, plumbing, flooring, lighting, contractors, designers, and building supplies. With so many different costs and installation costs, you can expect to spend a larger sum.
No matter where you live, the kitchen cabinetry is the most expensive component of a kitchen remodel, accounting for up to half of the total cost. It can cost up to $15,000 for a pretty straightforward renovation with a budget of roughly $30,000. The cabinets might quickly deplete your money due to their size and structural characteristics. Many customers choose to reface over new cabinetry to save money.
Another cost associated with cabinetry is installation. If you decide to change the layout, you can expect more cabinets which increases the cost. Picking higher quality cabinets increases the cost, too, as will larger or longer cabinetry. Additionally, wood cots can fluctuate and increase costs, and wood is already quite expensive.
Hardware may seem affordable individually, but when you buy enough for every cabinet in the kitchen, the price can rise quickly. Choosing higher-end hardware can increase the cost. Hardware does not just include handles and knobs but also hinges, rails, nails, screws, and latches. As most hardware is designed to work with a specific style of cabinetry, it costs a premium.
Furthermore, cabinets for the kitchen might be mass-produced or custom-made. Although custom cabinets are more popular, mass-produced, ready-made cabinets are less expensive. When you purchase a set of mass-produced cabinets from a local hardware store, you are purchasing a one-size-fits-all solution. Because the manufacturer does not have to create cabinets to fit your individual kitchen, it is less expensive for them. You must, however, make your space work with your cabinets rather than the other way around.
Other factors that can increase the cost of cabinets are shipping costs and delivery. As they are heavy and large, shipping cabinets are not cheap. Moreover, cabinets with added functions can increase the costs, too, such as lazy Susans, roll-out cabinets, pull-out trash cans, and more customizations. These additions also cost more as they also require installation.
Finally, removing your old cabinets will cost as part of the demolition. As demolition requires labor and labor costs money, removing old cabinets will cost money. While you can remove cabinets yourself, you need to be careful to prevent damage to the walls, which can incur additional costs. Although, you could sell cabinets in good condition to reduce costs.
Obtaining a permit verifies that alterations to your property adhere to the rules of the City of Austin or are "up to code." In addition, permits ensure that any alterations you make are safe for you, your guests, and your neighbors. You will need to define and describe the project, fill out permits, and collect the right information for your consultation and application.
Step two involves finding out what you will need to prepare for the consult, prepare documents and sketches, and scheduling the consult. Next, apply for the permit, gather the document, find out what documents are needed. Review the process and plan for the inspection, which can be online or in-person. Schedule the final inspection and make required changes.
The necessary paperwork includes an owner's authorization letter (one page), a demolition permit application (four pages), a residential interior remodel permit application (4 pages), and a residential water/wastewater tap permit application (three pages).
Not all projects require a permit, including painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar work. However, if you decide to change the kitchen layout, you may need a permit. Keeping the same layout in your kitchen can reduce the need for a permit altogether. You should begin by ensuring that your project's definition matches that of the City of Austin.
The city of Austin offers several licenses to assist citizens in constructing safe and long-lasting projects. Many projects necessitate multiple types of permits. Depending on what you plan to perform, you'll need unique permits for your project. Smaller changes may be eligible for express permits.
If you want to change or install electric, plumbing, or HVAC, you may need to apply for a trade permit. However, you might be able to streamline your project plan enough to avoid the necessity for a permit. Therefore, before you apply, you can make changes to your project plan as long as it still fits the conditions for simplified permission.
The cost of obtaining a permit for an interior remodeling project begins at $200 and increases based on the specific needs of your project. This covers the plan review, the permit, your inspections, and your costs. If you are building near a tree, need trade permission, or live in a historic neighborhood, you'll have to pay extra. During your consultation, your reviewer can discuss the expenses.
An interior redesign only affects the inside of your home, except for replacing doors and windows. However, if your project contains at least one of the following, you'll need to apply for an interior remodel permit. The list includes moving electric or plumbing fixtures to a new location, moving an interior wall, changing an exterior wall to add a window, door, or change either size and adding in new doors or windows.
While you may believe your project is a remodel, Austin may view it as a new addition. If you change the footprint of your home by adding a room or converting a garage into a room, you'll need a new expansion permit. Other examples are adding square footage to your home, converting uninhabitable space into habitable space, or moving an exterior wall. These could require a demolition permit.
If your remodel involves improvements to electrical wiring, plumbing, or heating and cooling, you'll need a trade permit. This type of specialized work necessitates trade permissions, which can only be obtained by licensed contractors. Included projects are adding or moving electrical components, installing HVAC, moving or adding plumbing components, or adding a new hot water heater. The contractor is responsible for getting these permits.
Finally, if your property's permit has expired, you might not be able to secure a new one right soon. You can use a public search to check for expired permits. You may also be unable to obtain a permit if your land has already surpassed its maximum quantity of impermeable cover. If this occurs, you should reconsider your shed materials and design or come in for a consultation to see if you can obtain a permit.
The remodeling process takes six weeks of work, from demo to completion. Furthermore, the planning stage can take weeks, if not months, as you settle on designs, select materials, and obtain supplies. Take the time necessary to think this through thoroughly, as even little, last-minute modifications that appear insignificant to you can have significant implications for both timeline and budget.
A 6-week remodel also implies that the fundamental footprint will remain the same and that no electrical or plumbing will need to be relocated or replaced due to a completely different layout. Add in unforeseen issues once demolition begins, and the time can change again. There may be electrical or plumbing that are not up to code or will not handle all of the extra gadgets or technology you want to add, especially in older homes.
On average, you can anticipate the following rough timeline:
Mind you, if you plan to change the layout, you can add another week or more to the timeline. If you hirer a designer, like Skipp, you will not have to worry about any of this as they will take care of these steps and manage contractors. Keep in mind, these are business days, and most contractors will not be working on weekends, so this can increase the timeline as well.
Many different factors can affect the cost of a small kitchen remodel. On average, you should budget between $11,000 to $20,000 for a small kitchen remodel, but the price can change dramatically depending on the products you choose. With Skipp, you can save money on small kitchen remodels by using a smart virtual kitchen design tool.
