Renovating a kitchen can be the most expensive project you have ever done. It’s really difficult to cut corners because it’s not possible to do without a stove or a refrigerator. Establishing the budget will help you to identify what’s important for you. Decide what you are going to spend and work with this number.
Start with the list of your priorities. How often do you cook, how important for you is to have the top the line appliances, can you do without that pot-filler. Take in consideration how long you are going to live in the house, the level of the neighborhood, the overall condition of your house. Don’t over splurge if you need to fix your master bathroom as well and your budget can’t afford both renovations.

Here’s a list of things to remember. Of course you will need to evaluate every entry on this list. Only you can decide your final budget for the project and what’s important to you.

• Usually a significant part of your budget, up to 20%, is allocated to cabinets. But remember, this is your kitchen. If your budget is limited and you still want to splurge on that SubZero, order cheaper cabinets, or just reface the existing ones. You can always mix and match the existing cabinets and new ones with the glass doors or doors in a different finish.
• Around 30% goes to the Countertops and the Flooring.
• Up to %15 to %25 goes to Appliances. Appliances nowadays can eat a lot of your budget. You should really consider how important for you is to have the top of the line appliances. The difference can be significant. For instance, the price of the refrigerator can range from $650 to $6,500.
• about 5% goes to fixtures such as faucets, sconces, chandeliers.
• About 20% to renovating the room itself: construction, electrical work, plumbing, paint, etc. This number depends on who is going to undertake the labor. Unless you are planning on doing everything yourself you should allocate at least 30% of your budget on labor. Getting estimates will make your planning job easier.
• About 3% goes to extras such as internal cabinet fixtures, moldings, etc.
• 10% of your labor budget should be allocated for the Overhead. Unexpected things can and always will happen during your project. It can be a sudden change of heart or a surprise during construction stage, – be prepared to cover the cost.

Deciding what is important for you and allocating a number to every specific job and sticking to it will make your renovation or construction project much easier.