By sunny The high cost of kitchen remodelling often confuses many homeowners. As an interior designer, there are multiple reasons behind this high cost from a professional perspective. In this article, we will delve into the core factors that contribute to the high cost of kitchen remodelling and provide some practical advice to help you reduce the cost of kitchen remodelling without sacrificing quality.
Ⅰ. Complex hidden projects and high technical threshold
Kitchen is the most intensive area of plumbing at home, involving gas, water and sewerage, strong and weak electricity and other multi-system transformation. This makes the kitchen hidden project becomes particularly complex, the technical threshold is relatively high.
1, Water and electricity transformation
Pipe Rearrangement
For old houses, it is often necessary to completely replace aging pipes, such as PPR water pipes, PVC drains, strong and weak power lines. These jobs require trenching, wall penetration and blocking, which is not only time-consuming and labour-intensive, but also costly in terms of labour and materials.
Safety norms
Plumbing and electrical renovation must comply with strict safety norms, such as separation of gas lines, moisture-proof circuits, and leakage protection. These requirements increase the precision of construction and add a technology premium. Workers need to be licensed to ensure construction quality and safety.
2, Waterproofing
Kitchen waterproofing is crucial and requires full ground coverage and a 48-hour water closure test. The choice of material and process directly affects the risk of return at a later stage. Selection of high-quality waterproof materials and professional construction team is the key to ensure the effectiveness of kitchen waterproofing.
Ⅱ. Material performance requirements are demanding, the cost of stratification is obvious
Kitchen environment is special, the performance requirements of the material is also very high. This has led to the phenomenon of stratification of material costs, different performance and quality of the material price difference is significant.
1, Functional materials
Tile
Kitchen tiles need to be non-slip, stain resistant and impermeable. Glass tiles may be used for walls, with unit prices typically ranging from US$2 to US$10 per square foot (equivalent to approximately RMB 80 to RMB 300 per square metre).
Cabinets and Countertops
Multi-layer cabinets with quartzite countertops (about US$25 to US$45 per foot for domestic, double the price for imported), stainless steel countertops, etc., with customised finishing accounting for a relatively high cost.
2, Auxiliary materials and details
Anti-mouldy glass glue, seamstress, non-return valve, angle valve and other seemingly small pieces, but poor quality products can easily lead to water leakage and mould. Owners often choose high-end brands (such as Sika, submarine), which invariably increases the hidden costs.
Ⅲ. Labour costs accounted for a high proportion of the complexity of the collaboration of the types of work
Kitchen remodelling involves a number of types of work, such as plumbers, electricians, tilers, carpenters, painters and so on. They need to be in order to enter the field, coordination is difficult, resulting in a longer period of time (an average of 15 to 30 days).
1, Multi-trade cross operation
Tile laying costs about $2 to $4 per square foot, with additional billing for shaped cuts or appliqués. Cabinet installation accounts for 15 to 20 per cent of the custom price.
2, Small space construction difficulties
Although the kitchen area is small, it is densely populated with equipment (e.g., flue wrapping, niche digging). Workers operating space is limited, the efficiency is reduced, so the cost of work up 20% to 30%.
Ⅳ. Customisation and personalisation needs to push up the budget
Owners of the kitchen space layout and equipment for personalised needs, often pushing up the transformation budget.
1, Space layout remodelling
Removing non-load-bearing walls, shifting sinks and other required changes in piping, involving structural reinforcement and approval costs.
2, High-end equipment and intelligent systems
Embedded dishwasher (need to customise the cabinet), zero-cold water heater (need to increase the return pipe), whole-house water purification system and other equipment itself and installation costs are high.
V. Hidden costs that cannot be ignored
Kitchen remodelling process, there are also some easily overlooked hidden costs.
1, Demolition and rubbish removal
The removal of old tiles, kitchen equipment, walls will produce a large amount of construction waste. The removal cost is about 5 to 10 per cent of the total project price.
2, Design deepening and project management
Designers need to iterate on the movement, storage, and ergonomic details, and coordinate with suppliers and builders. These time costs are converted into a design fee, which usually accounts for 8 to 15 per cent of the hard furnishing cost.
3, Risk allowance
Older homes often have hidden dangers such as rusted pipes and insufficient floor loading. Additional reinforcement or replacement of main materials may be required during construction, so it is recommended to set aside a certain amount of risk reserve.
VI. How to optimise costs? Professional Advice
In order to reduce the cost of kitchen remodelling, here are some professional recommendations:
1, Remodelling in stages
Prioritise addressing safety hazards (e.g. plumbing, electricity, waterproofing) before gradually upgrading equipment. This can avoid investing too much money at once and reduce financial pressure.
2, Selection of balanced materials
Use affordable tiles for walls and invest in non-slip tiles for floors; choose local manufacturers to customise cabinets to reduce logistics costs. Through a reasonable selection of materials and matching, you can reduce costs while ensuring quality.
3, Standardised design
Reduce shaped cutting, complex patchwork, choose modular products. This can improve construction efficiency and reduce customisation costs.
4, Advance planning
Confirm all equipment sizes before starting work to avoid rework. Advance planning can reduce remodelling costs by avoiding unnecessary waste and delays.
Practical advice for kitchen remodelling
To enjoy the art of cooking, a good kitchen environment is vital. Knowing and following some practical advice at the beginning of your remodel can help you avoid regrets.
Ⅰ. Cabinets
1, Cabinet quality
- Cabinets have a considerable amount of sheet metal, and the small space and hot and humid environment of the kitchen are suitable for formaldehyde release. Therefore, environmental protection and quality are important. Don’t sacrifice quality for cheapness.
2, Cabinet door panel
- Fireproof board is the most durable, blister life is the shortest, baking paint is the most afraid of scratching, solid wood is the most expensive, double finish is the cheapest.
- Budget is limited and rarely in the kitchen, you can choose the blister panel, beautiful shape.
- Budget and often in the kitchen, it is recommended to choose fireproof board or double veneer, durable and practical.
3, Detailing
- Cabinet door edging is best to use ABS or aluminium material, more durable.
- Cabinet top cabinet is not very useful, rather than do a pass through to the top of the cabinet is more practical.
- Glass cabinet doors are easy to expose the internal clutter, unless with flowers or frosted treatment, it is not recommended.
- Cabinet particle board can not be repeated up and down nails, so hardware to choose a good quality.
- Cabinet door handle to choose not easy to hang clothes, and consider the use of wet or oily hands, pull some larger more convenient.
- Chinese food need to place more items, to reserve enough space to store rice, noodles, oil and other sundries.
Ⅱ. Kitchen Appliances
1, Electrical Appliance Protection
- When embedding disinfection cabinets, ovens, etc. into cabinets, it is best to put aluminium foil on the surrounding cabinet walls to prevent heat damage to the cabinets.
2, Lighting design
- A small wattage operating wall light above the operating table is very practical and can enhance the cooking experience.
3, Baskets and drawers
- A 30-35cm pull-out basket is not very practical, so we recommend replacing it with one for spices.
- Drawers are very useful, but not the more the merrier (and expensive). Consider small dividers within the drawers to improve space utilisation.
4, Countertop
- Stainless steel countertops are the most durable, faux stone is the least dirty, and quartz stone is the most expensive. Stainless steel countertops are a good choice for kitchens that are used frequently. If it is too cold, it can be adjusted by the colour of the top and tiles.
- Stainless steel embossed countertops are less likely to show scratches than brushed countertops.
5, Smoker choice
- Side smokers smoke better than regular or European-style smokers.
- Side-smokers require frequent scrubbing, but can dramatically reduce oil absorption in the blower.
- Side-smokers need to be glued and sealed to the exhaust ducts, and clips alone are not enough to hold them in place.
- Install the side-smoker as close to the hob as possible to improve the smoking effect.
- If installing a normal or European style smoker, it is best to install a stainless steel sheet on the tiled part against the hob for easy cleaning.
Ⅲ. Cooktop
1, Cooktop panel
- Stainless steel cooktop panels are the most practical, Teflon and glass panels are less suitable for the kitchen environment. Especially glass panels are dirty and not easy to scrub.
2, Cooktop and panel clearance
- Do not glue between the cooktop and the panel, in order to facilitate future inspection and maintenance.
3, Cooktop opening
- When choosing a cooktop, try to choose one with a small opening on the top to prevent soup from overflowing into the cooktop.
4, Sink design
- Sink undermount tray design is easier to take care of the countertop. Especially when the stainless steel sink with stainless steel countertops, adhesive bonding is poor, undercounter disc design is more appropriate.
- The faucet handle of the sink should be large and easy to clean, and it is best to be able to push it with your arm.
- Sink must have a basket to prevent blocking the drain and easy to clean.
- Sink drain should be made into S-bend shape to prevent the return of odour.
- If the family has a large population, a large single sink will be more convenient and practical.
5, Kitchen layout
- If there is no floor drain in the kitchen, it is best not to put the washing machine in the kitchen.
- You need to plan the layout of cabinets and the demand for electrical appliances in advance when remodelling plumbing and electricity, and make sure that the number of sockets is sufficient and the location is reasonable. A waterproof box is usually not necessary.
- If the water outlet can be exposed to the cabinets, it should be exposed, although the aesthetics is a little less, but the safety is higher.
Ⅳ. Kitchen Arrangement
1, Decoration and greenery
- Don’t put flashy decorations (e.g. paintings, ceramics, fake flowers, etc.) in the kitchen. Consider planting some small potted plants (e.g. herbs, mint, etc.), which are both beautiful and practical.
2, Cleaning products
- It is best not to use rags to wipe your hands in the kitchen. It is recommended to use coarse-grained hand towels sold in supermarkets, which are cleaner and more hygienic.
3, Ceiling and Lighting
- If the kitchen is used frequently, it is recommended that the ceiling be made of aluminium composite panels or square panels. The main source of light in the kitchen should be recessed lamps, and the brightness should be high enough.
4, Functionality and aesthetic balance
- The functionality of the kitchen is more important. There are trade-offs to be made when decorating, so don’t go overboard with aesthetics at the expense of practicality. Unless the kitchen is only for display and not for use.
5, Gas safety
- Don’t completely encase the gas pipework, leave space for inspection and servicing.
- In addition to the main valve, it is best to have separate valves for appliances such as gas cookers and gas water heaters so that they can be shut off in time in case of problems.
- Hoses should be replaced regularly (recommended every two years).
- If most of the gas pipework is wrapped into the cabinet, it is best to reserve a socket for a gas alarm in case the alarm is used in the future.
6, Kitchen layout and ventilation
- If you cook less, consider an open kitchen layout. If you cook more, it is safer to have a closed kitchen. Even the best cooker hoods can’t remove all the fumes. Consider using plastic doors or glass partitions to increase light.
- Install a hanging rod in the kitchen to hang up some commonly used kitchenware, which will be more convenient to use.
- If you use a regular range hood, spend $10 to $20 on a glass cover to improve the smoking effect. It may be less aesthetically pleasing and not as easy to clean, but it’s practical.
7, Tile selection
- Kitchen tiles are better to clean when you choose either a calendered or high-gloss material. Never choose tiles with a linen or brown surface as they can be difficult to clean.
- Unless the kitchen space is small, try using shades other than white to decorate the kitchen. Warm colours are a good choice, and consider using two colours together to create a homely feel rather than the coldness of a restaurant back room.
8, Floor tiles and mats
- Make sure to choose non-slip material for your kitchen floor tiles to prevent slip and fall accidents.
- Putting a floor mat in the operating area can also increase the anti-slip effect and improve safety when cooking.
9, Window sill utilisation
- Kitchen window sills are designed to be as wide as possible and can be very useful for placing many things.
By following the above advice, you can effectively reduce the cost of your kitchen remodelling while ensuring that the remodelled kitchen is both beautiful and functional. Remember, proper planning and smart choices are the key to keeping costs down.