Budget: Saving and Planning for a Kitchen Remodel

by Ann Hayward 05/05/2025

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and transforming your kitchen into the one that you have always wanted is likely a dream come true. While you will surely enjoy the hours you spend selecting new cabinets or choosing a stone for your countertop, you also will need to keep in mind your budget.

These tips will help you create a realistic budget that will guide your decisions as you bring your new kitchen to life:

Define the Scope of Your Project Before Setting a Budget

There are a lot of ways to tackle a kitchen renovation. You could simply focus on refinishing your cabinets and replacing your countertops in order to get a fresh look for a lower cost. Or, you could gut your kitchen and redesign the footprint entirely. The best thing you can do first, however, is define the scope of your project before you create a budget. That will allow you to account for every cost and helps you define you timeline as well.

Identify How Much Money You are Willing to Spend

Once you have a basic understanding of what will need to be done during your kitchen remodel, you can establish a price point that you are comfortable with. A kitchen renovation could run anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, so it's important that you find a price point that works for you.

Set Aside an Emergency Fund for Those Unexpected Expenses

No matter how much planning you do in advance, there are likely going to be some unexpected expenses throughout your kitchen remodel. It's a good idea to set aside some funds from your budget for those surprise moments, as this will help you to navigate through those challenges with ease. With an emergency fund set aside, you can start your kitchen remodel with confidence, knowing that you are ready to face anything that happens along the way.

It's important to remember that the average cost for a kitchen renovation can vary significantly based on the project and even the location of your house. Whether you are going for a mid-range upgrade or a luxury overhaul, it's important that you identify the budget that is right for you and your household and stick to it as best you can. That way, you will enjoy the result with no regrets.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]