The Bottom Line
A custom kitchen remodel by a design-build firm in the Ithaca area generally runs from about $70,000 to more than $225,000. The two biggest cost drivers are whether you can keep your existing layout and how high-end your materials and fixtures are.
While we love working on any home remodeling project, we hold a special place in our hearts for kitchen remodels.
The kitchen is so much more than just a place to prepare food. It is the nourishing hearth of the home, where we start the morning and reconvene at dinner. It is the focal point for gathering with family and entertaining friends.
A kitchen renovation can make this vital space far more functional and more beautiful. But cost is often the stumbling block. Many homeowners tell us that while they know kitchen remodeling is a significant investment, they do not have a good sense of how much to budget or what actually drives the total.
We created this guide to explain the numbers behind kitchen remodeling projects. We cover what different types of remodels typically cost, whether a kitchen renovation is worth the investment, what influences the final price, and how to keep your budget under control.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
In the Ithaca, New York area, most custom kitchen remodels cost between $70,000 and $225,000 or more.
You will notice we did not give you a figure for the average. That is because the idea of an average kitchen remodel cost is something of a misnomer.
There is no average kitchen remodeling project. There are simply too many variables. Project scope, square footage, choice of materials, and the condition of the existing kitchen, especially in the historic homes common around Ithaca, make every project distinct. Labor costs also vary by region, which is why we give price ranges specific to our area.
Rather than invent an artificial average, we break kitchen projects into three levels.
Level I — Kitchen Upgrade: $70,000 to $110,000
Sometimes called a partial makeover or face-lift, a Level I project works within your existing footprint but revamps the core components. It typically includes new cabinetry, countertops, sink and faucet, updated lighting, and new flooring, without structural changes such as removing walls.
This level can breathe new life into a kitchen and is an excellent option if you want a fresh look and better function without the cost of a structural renovation.
Level II — Total Kitchen Makeover: $90,000 to $150,000
Level II is a full remodel with significant redesign and upgrades to all or nearly all existing components, giving the kitchen an entirely new feel.
This is closer to a down-to-the-studs renovation. It often includes floor plan changes such as adding an island or peninsula, along with upgraded plumbing and electrical infrastructure to support them.
Level III — The Ultimate Kitchen: $135,000 to $225,000 and up
A Level III project builds on Level II with custom details throughout. This is the no-compromise kitchen, with structural changes, high-end materials, specialty cabinetry and fixtures, and features such as an indoor-outdoor connection or a spacious walk-in pantry.
If these numbers seem high, it is worth repeating that we are describing custom remodels, not cosmetic pull-and-replace projects that swap out a few appliances and finishes.
Is a Kitchen Remodel Worth the Investment?
A well-designed and well-executed kitchen remodel is almost always worth the investment, both for quality of life and for the value of the home.
The kitchen may be the room we rely on most. It is not just where meals get made. It is where families gather and where guests end up. The right remodel can transform that hub in ways you feel every single day.
Market analysis also finds that most kitchen remodels return 50 to 70 percent or more of their cost, depending on the quality of the renovation. That is part of why a common budgeting guideline is to allocate 10 to 20 percent of a home’s value toward a kitchen renovation.
What Drives Kitchen Remodel Costs?
The total cost of a kitchen remodel is always driven by materials and labor. Several factors push those up or down.
- Scope of the work. Major remodels that involve moving plumbing, load-bearing walls, or gas lines cost considerably more than projects that leave the layout alone. Relocating plumbing, electrical, or structural walls can add $10,000 to $25,000 or more, because it brings in specialized trades whose labor rates can exceed $100 per hour.
- Kitchen size. Larger kitchens generally cost more, simply because there is more of everything. That said, a smaller kitchen can still carry a six-figure budget if everything in it is built to the highest standard.
- Choice of materials. Premium materials add up quickly. Porcelain tile flooring costs more per square foot than most alternatives, and the same is true of backsplash tile. Granite and marble counters carry a higher price than laminate.
- Cabinets. Cabinet replacement is often the single largest line item in a kitchen remodel, and the cost climbs further with custom sizing or integrated cabinet lighting.
- Countertops. Replacing countertops adds cost quickly, especially with a lot of counter space or premium stone.
- Appliances. Standard appliances generally run between $200 and $3,700 each depending on quality. High-end appliances can range from $6,000 to $25,000. This is one of the areas where choices make a large difference in the final number.
- Refinishing versus replacing. Costs rise when you replace components rather than refresh them. Refinishing cabinets, for example, saves money compared with tearing them out and installing new ones.
- Custom installation. Special installation requirements add labor cost, while off-the-shelf items such as stock cabinets reduce it.
Smaller items also add up: lighting, plumbing fixtures and hardware, backsplash tile, paint, doors, windows, molding and trim, cabinet hardware, and any furniture for a breakfast nook or bar seating.
A Few Upgrades Worth Considering
- Pull-out drawers and shelves. Storage is a constant frustration in older kitchens, often because of the original layout or a lack of room for cabinetry. Pull-outs come in many widths and configurations and are a clever way to make use of every nook. A skilled kitchen designer can tailor these to your specific space.
- Lighting. It is easy to underestimate how much lighting shapes a kitchen. Ceiling and under-cabinet fixtures change the mood of the room, and adding a window brings in natural light.
- In-floor radiant heat. It is rarely the focus of a remodel, but radiant floor heat improves efficiency and makes the kitchen noticeably more comfortable through an Ithaca winter.
How to Keep Your Kitchen Remodel Budget Under Control
- Separate your must-haves from your nice-to-haves. Start by making lists: what frustrates you about your current kitchen, and what you want from the new one. Then sort those into priorities. Those lists become genuinely useful later, when you have to decide what is worth the cost.
- Set a realistic budget early. Think about both what you want to spend and what you can spend. Having rough numbers in mind keeps you grounded through design and proposal conversations.
- Ask about fixed-price contracts. With a fixed-price contract, the remodeler carries responsibility for cost overruns. With a traditional time-and-materials contract, the homeowner absorbs surprises. If you do not have a fixed price, budget a contingency of 10 to 15 percent of the project cost.
- Choose your partner carefully. At a minimum you want a licensed general contractor who is bonded and insured. More valuable still is a team you trust to put your interests first, one that will not pad the budget with unnecessary components or an unjustified contingency.
The Design-Build Model and Cost Control
One of the most effective ways to keep a remodel on budget is to work with a design-build firm.
In the design-build process, the entire project is handled by one firm under one contract. The designer and the construction team work together from day one, which makes the process more efficient and reduces the chance of being blindsided by an unexpected expense.
The traditional design-bid-build model separates them. You interview and hire a designer, develop plans, then interview and hire a general contractor to build them. Costly problems and delays often surface in the back-and-forth between the two, especially on a major remodel.
Custom Kitchen Remodeling in Ithaca, NY
Upscale Remodeling is a design-build firm with deep roots in Ithaca. We have been remodeling homes here for more than 35 years and have handled kitchen renovations of every kind, including in the historic homes that make this area distinctive.
You can see examples of past work in our portfolio. If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel, we would love to hear what you have in mind. Contact us to set up an in-home consultation or an appointment at our Design Studio in Freeville. For level-by-level detail on what each budget delivers, grab our kitchen pricing guide.
