Average Costs for Renovations & New Builds
Whether you’re considering purchasing a home that requires updates or looking to give your current home a new look, the question of cost has undoubtedly come to mind. If you do a quick Google of, “How much does a kitchen reno cost?” or “How much does a bathroom reno cost?” you’re going to get a wide range of answers. And truth be told, the range is enormous so there truly isn’t any one right answer. Having done many projects that are most commonly asked about though, we have a good sense of the range by today’s standards…
Before looking at numbers, you have to first remember there are a number of factors that come into play. First and foremost, size matters! When we talk about the size of a kitchen or bathroom, we’re not only referring to the square footage of the area but also the number of linear feet of cabinets and countertops that are needed. Finish level is another key determiner, as there is great variation in costs from the budget level to high-end luxury.
It’s also important to define the scope of the project. Are you simply looking to replace fixtures and finishes? Or is it a more extensive project involving a change of floor plan, moving walls and utilities? Are you adding a new kitchen or bath, or moving them to a different area in the home entirely? Lastly, what kind of services is this project going to require? It is straight construction? Or do you need professional design or architecture services?
You may not have all the answers to the questions, and that’s ok. It’s our job to walk you through the steps. That said, we feel it’s important to remember, in the back of your mind, that each project is completely unique and that these factors can impact the costs.
To kick off the conversation and answer everyone’s burning question, “But how much does it cost?!” here are some rough numbers you can expect….
In general, when we’re talking about cabinetry at the entry level, be it for a kitchen or bathroom, clients can expect pre-fabricated pieces that are off-the-shelf from “big box” stores such as Ikea or Home Depot. At this level, countertops are typically synthetic or man-made materials such as quartz. For fixtures and appliances, you can expect brands such as Moen, Delta, American Standard, Riobel and Kitchen Aid.
At the mid-range level, the end result will be far more customized than what you would get at the entry-level. At this level, we balance cost efficiency with material quality. In these spaces, clients can expect brand-name quartz countertops such as Caesarstone or cost-effective natural stone. For example, Bianco Carrara marble can achieve a refined look but at a fraction of the cost of some other rare or highly sought-after marble. Other alternative materials include porcelain or sintered stone. For fixtures and appliances, Kohler, Brizzo, LG, Samsung and JennAir are common.
At the high end, the sky is truly the limit. Cabinetry can take any form or finish and is often custom millwork painted with custom colours. Countertops are typically highly sought-after natural stones and fixtures from luxury brands such as Waterworks, Perrin and Rowe. Hardware in itself can be an investment when looking at brands like Matthew Studios, EMTEK, Pullcast and the like. Other considerations might be specialty custom mosaic tiles from brands like Waterjet, brass or pewter inlays, heating flooring etc. Appliances include Miele, La Cornue and Wolfe… and let’s not forget about the walls! You can tile them, paint them gold or silver leaf them or even Venetian Plaster them!
Below are three examples of UB kitchens in ascending order from entry-level to luxury.
Other factors to consider when it comes to principal bathrooms, in particular, include the number of pieces. At a minimum, you’re looking at three pieces in a principal bath; a sink, a toilet and a shower but that’s only the beginning! Additional sinks, free-standing tubs, bidets etc. can all come into play and affect the overall cost.
Below are three examples of UB principal bathrooms in ascending order from entry-level to luxury.
Regardless of which room or rooms you’re looking to update, beyond the level of finish, you have to consider the work, if any, that is required, prior to the installation of new pieces. Some questions to ask yourself include; does my project require a demo? Is underpinning necessary? Do new rough-ins need to be prepared? Am I changing the layout significantly or adding or taking down walls?
If we’ve made your head spin or you have follow-up questions and need further clarification, we invite you to set up a call with us! Simply click the link below to book and we will be happy to discuss all the details of your specific project in order to provide you with an accurate estimate.
