How to Remodel a Kitchen | Wayfair (2024)

Renovating your kitchen doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, we provide the best ways to plan for a renovation, a kitchen remodel checklist, and steps on how to remodel a kitchen so you can make the kitchen of your dreams.

Kitchen Remodel Checklist
How to Remodel a Kitchen
How to Prepare
What to Expect During the Renovation

Kitchen Remodel Checklist

The first step to renovating or remodeling a kitchen is to go through this checklist. It will help you understand your needs and ensure that you plan correctly.

Step 1: Consider Your Needs

Think about your main pain points and how you can fix them. Ask yourself:

• Is it hard to move around your current kitchen?
• Do you want a different layout?
• What do you need more or less of?
• Do you want to simply upgrade some finishes and appliances, or do a major overhaul?
• If you’re looking to sell your house soon, which updates will add the most value to your space?

Tip!

Start saving photos of kitchens that you notice online, at a friend’s house, or a showroom for inspiration later on.

Step 2: Consider Your Budget

While your kitchen remodel cost will differ depending on how much you want to change, the average kitchen renovation costs around $22,000, lower-end renovations cost about $4,000, and major remodels are typically more than $50,000. However, remember that these are just estimates! Depending on the size, finish, and installation, these numbers will differ.

We suggest spending between 5–15% of your home’s value on a kitchen renovation to ensure that you don’t negatively impact the resale value of your home and to get the greatest potential for a return on your investment.

Here are some general guidelines to follow so you don’t overspend on any area:

• ⅓ of the remodel cost should go toward new cabinetry or refurbishing existing cabinets.
• ⅓ of the cost should go towards finishing touches, such as new countertops, upgrading your sink and faucet, backsplashes, flooring, and new appliances.
• ⅓ of the expenses should go towards installation and labor costs (contractors typically charge 10–20% of the total project cost).

Once you have a budget, try to stick to it, but plan for 10–20% in unexpected costs to prevent costs from becoming an additional stress factor while the project is underway.

Step 3: Consider Ways to Save

Keep Your Layout
If it’s not completely necessary to change the layout of your kitchen, you’ll save a lot of money by working with what you have. Changing the location of your plumbing or gas can drive your labor and material cost up dramatically.

Stay Simple
Customization is the fastest way to drive up remodel costs. The less special ordering you do, the more money you’ll save.

DIY
The easiest place for you to DIY is in the details. Simpler projects like changing up hardware or painting the walls are great places to start. We’ll go through some other DIY-safe projects you can do in step 4 below.

Step 4: Should You DIY or Hire a Contractor?

See which of these popular projects should be done by a contractor and which ones you can do yourself.

Demolition & Prepping Your Space
This will include leveling the floors, tearing down walls, and removing old items, such as cabinets.
DIY or Contractor? Contractor.
Typical Cost: $400 – $1,400 (depending on items removed and size of your kitchen).
Time to Complete: 10–20 hours.

New Appliances
DIY or Contractor? Contractor for dishwasher, gas stove, and electric stove. Refrigerators can be installed on your own. Read our guides to learn how to choose a dishwasher and how to choose a refrigerator.
Typical Cost: $200 installation per appliance, plus the cost of the appliance.
Time to Complete: 1 day.

New Countertops
DIY or Contractor? Contractor.
Typical Cost: $2,000 – $4,000 installation.
Time to Complete: 3–5 hours.

Add a Backsplash
DIY or Contractor? Both. Only DIY if you feel comfortable and have assistance.
Typical Cost: $600 – $1,000 for professional installation.
Time to Complete: 1 day.

Kitchen Faucet
DIY or Contractor? DIY. Learn how to choose a kitchen faucet, how to measure a kitchen faucet, and how to install a kitchen faucet in our guides.
Typical Cost: $150 – $350 for installation, plus the cost of the actual faucet.
Time to Complete: 1 day.

Tip!

Look for island carts, which have wheels, so you can easily move the island around if you have guests and need additional space.

Step 5: Design Your Space

To save time and frustration in the long run, make a design plan that includes everything from colors, to the location of the stove, to the direction that your cabinet doors will open. Mark down measurements for each item. If you’re considering a designer to help you through this process, they typically charge 10% of the total project cost.

The most common layout that designers use follows the “Work Triangle” rule, creating a triangle with no major obstacles between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. While you can customize your zone to accommodate your lifestyle, this is an easy way to start thinking about your layout.

How to Remodel a Kitchen

How to Prepare

File Necessary Paperwork
Depending on how large of a project you plan on doing, you may need to fill out a permit for the remodel. Generally, your contractor will file for the permit, however, if you’re DIY-ing, this is necessary for you to complete. Gut renovations require permits and any plumbing changes also require a plumbing permit.

Make Sure You Can Still Eat
Prior to starting, make sure you have a way to cook and eat while the renovation is in progress. Move your microwave to an accessible place during construction and consider buying an electric cooktop so you can still eat regular meals that require pots and pans.

Understand Demolition Requirements

Depending on the scale of your renovation project, a complete demolition may be necessary. We recommend this work be done by a contractor, as there are several risk factors associated with demolition that require specific expertise.

What to Expect During the Renovation

Keep in mind, there will likely be obstacles in the middle of the renovation, but that is to be expected.

Step 1: Structural Work

If you’re making any structural changes to the kitchen, those should be done first by a professional. This includes framing the room, rough plumbing, rough electrical work, and rough HVAC. Depending on the permits that are needed for this project, a frame inspection and rough inspection need to be done before continuing the project.

Step 2: Wall Work

Next comes insulation, walls, and ceilings. This work should also be done by a professional. It’s too intricate and time consuming for a new DIY-er.

Step 3: Flooring

Now it’s time for flooring installation. Laminate, tile, and vinyl are easier to install for DIY projects, however, hardwood flooring is much more difficult to install and should be done by a contractor.

Step 4: Cabinets and Countertops

Have a professional install cabinets and countertops. The same person who installs your countertops should also install your sink (if you’re ordering items separately, be sure your sink is delivered by the time countertops are installed). If you are going to be wall mounting your microwave or oven, whoever installs the cabinets should also install the microwave and oven.

To save time and money installing new cabinets, consider refinishing or painting your current cabinets yourself.

Step 5: Paint

If you are changing up the paint color, apply the first coat of paint to your walls.

Step 6: Finish Plumbing & Electric

At this point, faucets, lighting, and other plumbing fixtures are ready to be installed. We advise using professionals for this step, unless you have expertise in plumbing or electrical installation.

• A plumber should install the faucet, dishwasher, and stove (if gas).
• An electrician should install the lighting and electric stove.
• The refrigerator typically just needs to be plugged in and put in place, but if you’re already using a contractor, they can do this for you.

Step 7: More Paint

Apply the final coat of paint and let dry.

Step 8: The Details

Now that everything’s installed and in place, you can personalize your kitchen with items that match your style. Add any new cabinet hardware, reattach switch plates, and consider adding a backsplash or kitchen island. Buy new kitchen towels, new cookware, and all the daily items you’ll need to go along with your brand new kitchen.

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