Countertops: Why Kitchen Remodels Cost So Much
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I’ve been working with a new builder to develop a more accurate budget for the ADU project. One element of the design that accounts for a HUGE percentage of the overall cost is the kitchen. And, in the kitchen, one of the of the most expensive elements is the countertops.
We’re not building an elaborate kitchen by any stretch of the imagination. It’s a modest space, about 100 square feet, with a standard set of cabinets and appliances. No Wolf stoves or crazy slide-out dishwashers.
Here’s a simple layout:
The blue areas represent where we’d go with solid-surface products (32 sq. ft./15.5 lineal ft.), while the yellow will be a custom laminate countertop.
To give you and idea of the cost of things, I just received a bid for quartz or granite countertops that was about $5600 installed. That’s CRAZY expensive ($175 a sq. ft). The home centers price it between $60-$90, so you can definitely get it for less.
Inhabitat recently did a brief writeup on alternatives Richlite and Paperstone, two paper-resin “green” alternatives. I’m guessing we’re still in the +$70 sq. ft. with these products, and perhaps as high as $100.
One option that’s a real budget-tamer is granite tiles. You can buy either 12×12 tiles or even pre-edged 18×26 tiles at a much lower price. Here’s an example of a local supplier who sells these sorts of tiles (The DIY Home Center). If you do the math, the tiles come in around $16 a square foot. Talk about a savings!
February 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Shawn,
Great blog for starters. I too work in the design business, I’m an Art Director at a firm in Philly called O3 World, and I’m looking to build a new house/office as well. I saw your other post on the concrete/glass countertops. What about just normal concrete counter tops? They’re far cheaper than granite, can be customized to suit just about any need, and they’re not too terribly difficult to do yourself if you don’t mind putting in some work. Check out this book Concrete Countertops for a lot of great info. Again great blog, I look forward to reading more.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hey Brandon,
Thanks for the support!
I agree with you on the concrete comment. In fact, I have that book as well as Cheng’s video. Both are excellent resources.
I’m still considering doing the concrete countertops myself. Especially if we can get the building roughed in and protected from the elements. I can use the studio/shop to do the pour.
My only reservation is about the reality of my time. Contractors move quickly, and it remains to be seen whether or not I’ll be able to take the time to create the countertops and fit them into the overall schedule.
At the end of the day, I’m approaching the countertops in a similar fashion to the casework. I’m going to finance and sub it out. If the project allows for me to step in and save some money, I definitely will do that. Both areas are great ways to save big money!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 am
Countertops ARE crazy expensive, but at least there is kind of a reason: they need to be really really durable because they are worked on and exposed to water, heat, etc every day. I ended up choosing concrete because it had a good earthiness to it and can be shaped and colored as one likes. It was quite expensive ($2000 more than a formica/plastic type) but it was worth it — in a small building you want everything you touch to be worth touching.
The other thing that people spend insane amounts of money on is cabinetry, in particular cabinet faces, and I think this is where people could really save. There’s no reason that a kitchen needs to be a Versailles, with a magnificent facade of fancy doors. Personally I like simple open shelves like in a farmhouse. Just my $0.02.