Your Guide to Kitchen Remodeling Costs in New Jersey
Ready to transform your kitchen into a culinary masterpiece? New Jersey offers a world of possibilities when it comes to kitchen remodeling. But with so many factors to consider, it can be overwhelming to navigate the costs and design trends. Fear not! This guide is your roadmap to a stunning kitchen that reflects your unique style and budget. From understanding average costs to exploring design trends and finding reputable contractors, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Let’s dive in and start planning your kitchen makeover!
How much should you budget for your kitchen remodel? Here’s how to make a rough prediction of kitchen remodeling costs in New Jersey. The main variables are:
- Size of your kitchen, typically determined by square footage, and other factors like the number of linear feet of cabinets and countertops you need.
- Finish level — from budget to luxury, of all the materials, fixtures and finishes for your renovation.
- Scope — Are you just replacing fixtures and finishes? Are you changing the floor plan, including moving walls and utilities? Are you adding a new kitchen, or moving your kitchen to a different part of the house?
- Services — Do you just need construction work? Do you need professional design or architecture services?
We’ll discuss these variables below, but for now let’s start with an example.
For a full renovation (without layout changes) of a medium-sized kitchen, with basic general contracting services, here’s what you can expect starting costs for your project to look like in New Jersey:
- Budget kitchen renovation job cost: Starting at $28,000
- Major mid-grade kitchen renovation job cost: Starting at $81,300
- Major high-end kitchen renovation job cost: Starting at $170,100
We want you to be completely prepared for the cost of your home remodeling project, so our pricing estimates are inclusive of all materials, labor, overhead, and a standard general contractor’s margin.
When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors in New Jersey.
Size: How dimensions affect your kitchen remodeling costs in New Jersey
While it’s tempting to assume that a larger kitchen means a larger price tag, the reality is a bit more nuanced. The true cost of a kitchen remodel isn’t just about the square footage; it’s about the luxurious details that fill that space. More cabinetry, countertops, and top-of-the-line appliances can significantly inflate your budget.
So, how can you approach kitchen remodeling with size in mind? Let’s break down the key factors that influence cost:
Extra small kitchens
Extra small kitchens, often referred to as “kitchenettes,” are typically less than 60 square feet and designed for basic food preparation. They usually feature miniature appliances like under-counter refrigerators and small stoves or cooktops, with limited cabinet space.
Small kitchens
Small kitchens, typically measuring between 60 and 90 square feet, are ideal for one cook. They often have a narrow galley or efficient corner layout. Common appliances include a narrow upright refrigerator, a four-burner range, and a microwave.
Medium kitchens
Medium kitchens, ranging from 90 to 120 square feet, are comfortable for one to two cooks. These kitchens frequently have an L-shaped or U-shaped layout and may include an island or peninsula. Typical appliances include an upright refrigerator, a four-burner range, a dishwasher, and a microwave.
Large kitchens
Large kitchens, typically measuring between 120 and 200 square feet, offer ample cabinet space, a pantry, and often an island or peninsula. They’re perfect for two cooks and entertaining guests. Common appliances include a wide upright refrigerator, a six-burner range or cooktop, a separate oven, a dishwasher, a microwave, and possibly a wine refrigerator.
Extra large kitchens
Extra large kitchens, exceeding 200 square feet, are spacious and ideal for cooking with family or friends. They usually feature a pantry, ample cabinet space, and a designated eating area. Typical appliances include a wide upright refrigerator, a six-burner range or cooktop, multiple ovens, multiple dishwashers, a microwave, and a wine refrigerator. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
Note, estimates don’t typically include appliances because appliance costs vary from budget to mid-grade to high-end/luxury. Most GCs are happy to provide an allowance or cost for a specific model upon request. There is a wide range of kitchen appliance packages available based on your budget, whether it’s under $5,000, $5,000–$10,000, or $10,000+.
Finish level: How kitchen design affects remodeling costs in New Jersey
Finish level refers to the general quality and price level of fixtures, materials, and finishes. These include countertop materials, cabinetry materials and fabrication, flooring choices, and the brands and models of sinks, faucets, and appliances you choose. The higher the finish level, the faster your costs will increase.
- Budget finish: Budget materials are generally off-the-shelf items from “big box” stores or IKEA. This includes Ikea cabinets, Wilsonart solid surface countertops, Pergo laminate floors, various tiles under $10 / square foot, fixtures by Delta and American Standard.
- Mid-grade finish: Mid-grade materials balance cost efficiency with material quality. This includes cabinets by Diamond or Kemper, Caesarstone countertops, Daltile floors, tiles by TileBar and Ann Sacks, fixtures by Brizo, Hansgrohe, or Kohler.
- High-end finish: High-end takes quality and craftsmanship above standard, and introduces custom work. This includes custom cabinets, countertops by Cambria and Neolith, floors by Porcelanosa, tiles by Cle Tile and Artistic Tile, fixtures by Graff, Kallista, or Rohl.
- Luxury finish: Luxury means the sky’s the limit, where customization, craftsmanship and materials truly go above and beyond. Think brands like La Cornue, Meneghini, or Vinotemp.
Scope: Rip-and-replace vs. gut kitchen renovation in New Jersey
Project scope refers to the amount and type of work that needs to be done, and can have implications on which professionals you’ll need to hire. We divide scope into the following broad categories (when a contractor prepares an estimate for your renovation, it will be much more detailed, and will include costs of the exact fixtures and finishes):
Full renovation (also called “rip-and-replace”)
A full renovation means that you’re replacing all old fixtures and finishes with new ones, while leaving everything in its original place. So, effectively, the layout is the same before and after the renovation (hence, the nickname “rip-and-replace”). This is the more straightforward way to reimagine your space, and can often be done with just a licensed general contractor partner.
Gut renovation
For a gut renovation, you’ll be dropping walls, moving gas lines, re-routing plumbing lines and rewiring electrical — generally stripping the room to the studs and subfloor (or, even removing these!) in order to change up the layout of the space. This kind of transformational project will require professional design and architectural services, permitting, and licensed general contractors, which ensures the work is done safely and to code.
Services: Kitchen remodeling services, and how they affect costs in New Jersey
The two main services to consider for your kitchen renovation are build service and design service. Depending on your needs, you have some options for what types of firms to hire.
Build service with a general contractor
A build service typically includes demolition and construction services, carried out by your general contractor. While some general contractors specialize solely in construction (build-only firms), others offer a wider range of services.
Build-only firms often require clients to provide complete design plans from a professional architect or designer. However, even within this category, there can be variations. Some contractors may be more open to working with your personal vision, while others may offer limited input on material choices, fixture selection, or spatial layout.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach, consider working with a general contractor who provides design-build services. These firms typically offer in-house design teams or collaborate with architects and designers to create custom plans tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Design service with an architect or interior designer
Design service can be broken down into creative design and technical design. For creative design service, which is almost always optional, you’ll work with an architect or interior designer to reimagine the space. This added layer of service will generally cost between 10-20% of your construction budget, depending on the level of service included in your design package (though, not all firms determine their fees based on cost of construction — some may charge a flat fee based on project scope and anticipated duration, for example). So, for a $50,000 kitchen renovation, you might expect to pay your architect or designer $5,000 to $10,000.
Technical design expertise is needed in the form of an architect (or sometimes structural engineer) for projects like gut renovations where permitting is required. Their main role is to ensure that the project is done safely and to code.
What is a full-service, design-build firm?
If you need both design and build services, you can choose to hire a professional designer or architect, and separately, a general contractor. But there’s another option that comes with some distinct benefits: you can hire a design-build firm — a general contractor with dedicated professional design under one roof. This means you work with the same firm from planning and design through construction. In addition to the continuity, which can often save time in the process, some clients appreciate that the working relationship means more seamless coordination, which can even help to keep your project on budget.
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FAQs
The cost of a kitchen remodel in New Jersey is influenced by several factors, including the size and layout of the kitchen, the materials and finishes used, the type and brand of appliances, the necessary plumbing and electrical work, and the cost of labor.
To estimate the cost of your kitchen remodel, research average costs in your area, obtain quotes from multiple contractors, be prepared for potential cost overruns, and consider financing options if needed.
