Hidden Costs to Consider in a Kitchen Renovation
Keep an eye out for sneaky kitchen expenses that can catch you unawares during your kitchen renovation project
Adam Hobill
7 May 2016
Read more about conquering the building process in my new book, 'Nail it! Take control of your building project & save thousands'. When I decided to write the book I set out with a simple goal; to educate and empower homeowners to help them complete a building project with less stress and with less risk of budget blow outs. It's all about getting homeowners on a level playing field with their builder.
Read more about conquering the building process in my new book, 'Nail it! Take control... More
No longer tucked away in small dark rooms and out of view, contemporary kitchens are now the centrepieces of our homes and fulfil many more roles than providing a place for cooking. They are increasingly central to the daily operation of our busy lives, often incorporating study and homework stations, spots to eat and convenient places to entertain.
The way we use our kitchens has had a significant impact on how they are designed and prioritised into a home, how big they are and how much money is allocated to them, so it is no surprise that kitchen renovations are one of the most common projects undertaken by homeowners. If your kitchen needs an overhaul, these tips will help you to identify a few areas where hidden costs often lurk.
The way we use our kitchens has had a significant impact on how they are designed and prioritised into a home, how big they are and how much money is allocated to them, so it is no surprise that kitchen renovations are one of the most common projects undertaken by homeowners. If your kitchen needs an overhaul, these tips will help you to identify a few areas where hidden costs often lurk.
Design fees
Kitchen design fees are not so much a hidden cost, but rather a cost that you should always factor into your renovation budget; especially since kitchens are so important to our day-to-day lives. Kitchens are very personal spaces and what works for you may not work so well for somebody else. An experienced kitchen designer will be able to share some practical tips on the basic functionality of a kitchen, and incorporate those necessary fundamentals with your personal preferences to create a kitchen that is both stunning and practical.
Kitchen design fees are not so much a hidden cost, but rather a cost that you should always factor into your renovation budget; especially since kitchens are so important to our day-to-day lives. Kitchens are very personal spaces and what works for you may not work so well for somebody else. An experienced kitchen designer will be able to share some practical tips on the basic functionality of a kitchen, and incorporate those necessary fundamentals with your personal preferences to create a kitchen that is both stunning and practical.
Out-of-square walls
Kitchen cabinetry and benchtops are all designed to integrate with each other along ‘square’ walls (walls perpendicular to each other). However, from time to time, and especially in older homes, the existing walls may not be perfect 90-degree angles. This occurrence is not new to cabinet makers experienced in kitchen renovations, but it can still add hidden costs due to on-site modifications, and even compromise the design of your kitchen.
It would be rare for the out-of-square wall to be rebuilt to rectify the problem, so in most cases the cabinetry and benchtops need to be modified to suit the wall location. Ideally this is dealt with at the design stage by completing a site measure of the space to be renovated. This simple step will highlight any problems, so both the designer and cabinet maker are aware of the situation before they start building.
Kitchen cabinetry and benchtops are all designed to integrate with each other along ‘square’ walls (walls perpendicular to each other). However, from time to time, and especially in older homes, the existing walls may not be perfect 90-degree angles. This occurrence is not new to cabinet makers experienced in kitchen renovations, but it can still add hidden costs due to on-site modifications, and even compromise the design of your kitchen.
It would be rare for the out-of-square wall to be rebuilt to rectify the problem, so in most cases the cabinetry and benchtops need to be modified to suit the wall location. Ideally this is dealt with at the design stage by completing a site measure of the space to be renovated. This simple step will highlight any problems, so both the designer and cabinet maker are aware of the situation before they start building.
Restructuring for stone or concrete benchtops
Stone benchtops have been a popular choice for kitchen renovators for a long time. They are durable, generally easy to clean, hygienic and offer a high-quality finish. Concrete is a newer material for kitchen benchtops, but one that has quickly gained popularity. Both of these options are very heavy, and in older homes this additional weight can sometimes be too much for the existing timber floor structure.
Kitchens in older homes were much simpler and lighter than the kitchens we build today, regardless of the benchtop, so if your kitchen renovation is taking place in an older home with a timber floor structure, you may need to get some expert advice about whether you need to bolster the floor structure as part of your project.
Dreaming of a new kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Stone benchtops have been a popular choice for kitchen renovators for a long time. They are durable, generally easy to clean, hygienic and offer a high-quality finish. Concrete is a newer material for kitchen benchtops, but one that has quickly gained popularity. Both of these options are very heavy, and in older homes this additional weight can sometimes be too much for the existing timber floor structure.
Kitchens in older homes were much simpler and lighter than the kitchens we build today, regardless of the benchtop, so if your kitchen renovation is taking place in an older home with a timber floor structure, you may need to get some expert advice about whether you need to bolster the floor structure as part of your project.
Dreaming of a new kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Changes to flooring
One of the more common traps for blowing a kitchen renovation budget is the unforeseen need to redo the flooring. The problem occurs when walls and cabinetry are removed, and gaps are created in the flooring. However, even if you have budgeted for the replacement of the kitchen floor, you may also need to consider where that new flooring starts and finishes, especially when we consider that a lot of kitchen renovations also involve the opening up of areas to create an open-plan space.
In those situations, the lovely new timber floor for the kitchen may also need to be extended out into the adjoining dining and family areas, otherwise the clashing floor finishes may undermine the whole renovation. The tip is to consider the wider space involved, especially when you are designing transitions in flooring and creating new open-plan rooms.
One of the more common traps for blowing a kitchen renovation budget is the unforeseen need to redo the flooring. The problem occurs when walls and cabinetry are removed, and gaps are created in the flooring. However, even if you have budgeted for the replacement of the kitchen floor, you may also need to consider where that new flooring starts and finishes, especially when we consider that a lot of kitchen renovations also involve the opening up of areas to create an open-plan space.
In those situations, the lovely new timber floor for the kitchen may also need to be extended out into the adjoining dining and family areas, otherwise the clashing floor finishes may undermine the whole renovation. The tip is to consider the wider space involved, especially when you are designing transitions in flooring and creating new open-plan rooms.
Window changes
Kitchens are increasingly becoming the most important space within a home, but their design may not be contained to the inside. If you have dreams of opening up your kitchen to a view of the backyard or to connect to an outdoor entertaining area, you will also need to think about the external elements of the kitchen including the location, size and type of windows required.
As soon as you start making changes to the external walls of the home, you are stepping the complexity (and cost) of the project up a notch. Firstly, changes to exterior walls and windows may require planning approval for which there are likely to be time and cost implications. Secondly, the exterior walls are most probably load bearing, so you can’t simply be adding new windows or making existing windows bigger without first getting appropriate engineering advice.
Kitchens are increasingly becoming the most important space within a home, but their design may not be contained to the inside. If you have dreams of opening up your kitchen to a view of the backyard or to connect to an outdoor entertaining area, you will also need to think about the external elements of the kitchen including the location, size and type of windows required.
As soon as you start making changes to the external walls of the home, you are stepping the complexity (and cost) of the project up a notch. Firstly, changes to exterior walls and windows may require planning approval for which there are likely to be time and cost implications. Secondly, the exterior walls are most probably load bearing, so you can’t simply be adding new windows or making existing windows bigger without first getting appropriate engineering advice.
Another knock-on effect of window changes is the potential that they may also impact the exterior finish of the building. With that in mind, it is important that you and your kitchen designer take a broad view of the project, including the impact your kitchen design may have on the exterior of the home.
Browse more beautiful kitchens for inspiration
Browse more beautiful kitchens for inspiration
Plumbing costs
Renovating a kitchen in its current location will generally be a more cost-effective solution than relocating it. However, if a new location provides a considerably better result, the additional costs to relocate may not be significant in the grand scheme of things.
One of the obvious additional costs of relocating a kitchen is the cost of new plumbing. This cost may not be too much if there is access under the floor and if there are existing plumbing connections nearby.
However, if there is no access under the floor (as is the case with concrete floor slabs), the additional plumbing costs will be much steeper due to the fact that the floor slab will need to be cut, modified and repaired to allow the installation of new pipes. With that in mind, island benchtops can also be problematic when installed on concrete slabs.
Renovating a kitchen in its current location will generally be a more cost-effective solution than relocating it. However, if a new location provides a considerably better result, the additional costs to relocate may not be significant in the grand scheme of things.
One of the obvious additional costs of relocating a kitchen is the cost of new plumbing. This cost may not be too much if there is access under the floor and if there are existing plumbing connections nearby.
However, if there is no access under the floor (as is the case with concrete floor slabs), the additional plumbing costs will be much steeper due to the fact that the floor slab will need to be cut, modified and repaired to allow the installation of new pipes. With that in mind, island benchtops can also be problematic when installed on concrete slabs.
If you are planning a new island bench on an existing concrete floor slab that also includes the sink or dishwasher, you will need to consider how the water will be connected and how the waste water is going to escape. Once again, if the solution involves modifying the concrete floor, then your costs are going to increase.
Ducting for range hoods
Another important consideration in any kitchen is the cooking ventilation system: your exhaust fan or range hood. These systems expel odours, steam, grease and heat generated by cooking and are located above the stovetop. However, it is important that we consider them as ventilation systems, not just range hoods.
Although you are likely to choose your ventilation system based on both appearance and performance, the hidden ducting is just as important in ensuring that the system will be effective.
Another important consideration in any kitchen is the cooking ventilation system: your exhaust fan or range hood. These systems expel odours, steam, grease and heat generated by cooking and are located above the stovetop. However, it is important that we consider them as ventilation systems, not just range hoods.
Although you are likely to choose your ventilation system based on both appearance and performance, the hidden ducting is just as important in ensuring that the system will be effective.
Where will the cooktop and range hood be located, and where will the exhaust ducting go? In single-storey homes there isn’t likely to be a problem as the ducting will go straight through the ceiling, through the roof cavity and out above the roof. However, in a two-storey home where the kitchen is located on the lower level and the cooktop is not adjacent to an external wall, it will be far more difficult (and expensive) to install the ducting.
In those situations, the ducting needs to be located within the structural floor system, in bulkheads or concealed within the kitchen joinery itself (which sacrifices usable cupboards). The shorter the run to the external exhaust point, with as few bends and turns in the ducting as possible, the better. In most situations there will be a solution, but they are not all cheap so ensure that, between you and your kitchen designer, you have considered ducting in the design.
In those situations, the ducting needs to be located within the structural floor system, in bulkheads or concealed within the kitchen joinery itself (which sacrifices usable cupboards). The shorter the run to the external exhaust point, with as few bends and turns in the ducting as possible, the better. In most situations there will be a solution, but they are not all cheap so ensure that, between you and your kitchen designer, you have considered ducting in the design.
Your turn
What other hidden costs have you come across in a kitchen renovation? Share them in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversatin.
More
Before you swing a sledgehammer, read this Pro Panel: How to Control the Cost of Your Bathroom Renovation
What other hidden costs have you come across in a kitchen renovation? Share them in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversatin.
More
Before you swing a sledgehammer, read this Pro Panel: How to Control the Cost of Your Bathroom Renovation
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Renovating Advice
How Do I Find, Assess & Hire the Right People for My Renovation?
Do you need a kitchen designer or a joiner? An architect or an interior designer? Find out with our essential reno guide
Full Story
Renovation Guides
What Key Measurements & Room Dimensions Should I Know for a Reno?
Read practical information about key room measurements and minimum clearances for fittings and fixtures in every room
Full Story
Bedrooms
12 Decorating Tips to Make Any Bedroom Look Better
By Anne Ellard
Want to know how to make your bedroom look better? Here are 12 great tricks
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Living Rooms
The Full Picture: How High Should Your TV Be?
By Matt Clawson
We look at an important question to consider when locating your television: how high should you set it?
Full Story
Bathrooms
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Renovation Guides
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Architecture
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Architect
A great architect can turn your dream home into reality – three industry experts reveal where to look for the right one
Full Story
You've written a fantastic article, Adam!
It's really important when renovating your kitchen to hire a designer that works closely with an experienced trade professional. Designers can envision some incredible ideas, but these are irrelevant if you skip the process of a professional check-measure service. They're experts at anticipating pitfalls that you and your designer may not have thought about, before the demolition begins!
We offer a check-measure service that includes a full site analysis, as well as wall and floor leveling. Here, you'll meet with an experienced tradesman that will outline all those "hidden" costs for you.
Not so much a hidden cost, but our electrician expense was completely blown to "smitherines" to what we thought it would be. Guess we had more extras than we originally thought! And, like you Kerry Langloy7, it has been worth every penny. So pleased.
A good Kitchen renovation business should be taking these factors into consideration as they are actually part of the "kitchen renovation costs" and therfore should be included in their quote, right at the start so there are no "hidden costs".