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How Much Did Our Kitchen Cost?

We’re sharing the breakdown of our kitchen budget with you.

Kim and Kitty in newly renovated Chicago kitchen | via Yellow Brick Home
table | rug | sconces

How Much Does It Cost?

As promised, we’re breaking down how we spent our dollars in our recent kitchen overhaul. We feel that transparency in cost helps us all have a more full and realistic understanding of what goes into a home renovation. Our hope is that this post can serve as a starting point for a kitchen upgrade in your future, while taking into account your own needs. We’re also sharing a Look for Less at the bottom of this post, so please scrolling if you’re interested in that!

Follow along with this renovation from the beginning: why we’re renovating the kitchen | a happy surprise | choosing cabinetry | sharing the new kitchen layout | choosing backsplash tile | choosing an eat-in kitchen table (vs. an island) | the mood board | the kitchen is GONE and how we’re making it work | maple flooring is in! | appliance first impressions | installing cabinets onto unlevel floors | how to install drawer fronts on inset cabinetry | how to buy countertops | 5 transformative kitchen updates | the reveal!

Full view of kitchen sink wall with oak floating shelf | via Yellow Brick Home
sconces | faucet | shelf | cookie jars | espresso machine

The budget breakdown includes everything from start to finish, including the upfront construction that was very specific to our space (like moving the entire HVAC system to a new wall), all new flooring, and construction + materials. We could have easily deducted $10,000 to keep our existing furnace, and although it was a painful upgrade at the time, we are SO happy we did! Our new high efficiency furnace is whisper quiet, and some fine tuning of our ducting and return vent has made our 1800s home consistently warm – no more ‘hot’ spots! The overall comfort in our home surprised even us.


Kitchen Budget Breakdown

  • Construction | $13,880
  • New h/e furnace & reconfiguration | $12,000
  • Maple flooring | $5,700
  • Appliances* | $21,400
  • Cabinets | $14,000
  • Marble countertop | $3,600
  • Backsplash tile* | $900
  • Lighting* | $3,130
  • Cabinet hardware* | $1,330
  • Plumbing fixtures (includes sink)* | $1,860
  • Kitchen table & rug | $1,600
  • Shelving (both sides) | $1,400

TOTAL = $80,800 | *denotes partial or full brand sponsorship



Links to all individual kitchen sources are shared in the reveal post, if you’re curious about specific models. Also related, we sold our existing kitchen in two parts: 1) appliances and 2) cabinets and countertops, for $2,500 in total. Our former kitchen was repurposed in a Chicago Three Flat by a sweet couple, and we were able to save everything from the landfill! They made this Reel, which is pretty cool to see – and yes, I teared up.

Look for Less

We’ve also created a look for less! I especially think the pendant light is a steal, and if installed in multiples, it has the potential for high impact. If you’re craving a brass finish, I see Rub n Buff going a long way for a truly vintage look.

1. 5×5 ceramic tile, $11 sq ft | or 2. 4×4 white gloss tile, $3 sq ft | 3. flush mount sconce, $132 | 4. schoolhouse pendant, $113 | 5. Sherwin-Williams Reddened Earth SW6053 paint swatch | 6. brass ball knob, $5 | 7. appliance pull, $45 | 8. cabinet pull, $3 | 9. vintage replica rug | $80+ | 10. pull down faucet, $211 | 11. pot filler, $324 | 12. black workstation sink, $440 | 13. 36″ induction range, $6200 | 14. concrete pedestal table, $999

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  • Maggie1.31.23 - 8:16 AM

    Thanks for sharing Kim! Love the transparency!ReplyCancel

  • Kayla1.31.23 - 9:13 AM

    Hi Kim – this is so helpful! We’re prepping for a kitchen remodel and have created a budget (on research and assumption), so it’s so helpful to see this breakdown. Regarding your construction costs, was that in association with the HVAC move or does that include other aspects of the build? ReplyCancel

    • Kim1.31.23 - 9:32 AM

      That includes other aspects, but PARTLY HVAC. What I mean is, our contractor worked with our HVAC guy to frame out the new closet for HVAC, and it was all moved, our contractor installed the drywall, door, etc. But most of that cost is removing the old furnace closet, new electrical throughout, moving some plumbing, adding electric for the induction range, and so on.ReplyCancel

      • Kayla1.31.23 - 10:28 AM

        Thank you so much! I loved following this renovation and am certainly looking forward to including aspects of this reno into our remodel! ReplyCancel

  • AnnaLynne1.31.23 - 10:41 AM

    Thank you for sharing. Hearing real numbers is so helpful. I’m always in awe of you twos design skills and eye. ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.31.23 - 11:45 AM

    This is super helpful! Thank you for sharing the cost. We are in the process of designing a new build and I have no clue what to expect for our kitchen. At this point I think it’s going to be $100K, which seems unfathomable but is probably realistic to create the “dream” kitchen we want.ReplyCancel

  • Megan1.31.23 - 4:19 PM

    Thank you for sharing!  Quick question on the items that have *brand sponsorship denoted – are those your costs before or after any discounts from the brand sponsors?ReplyCancel

    • Kim1.31.23 - 7:28 PM

      Sorry if that’s confusing! Those are retail costs in the breakdown. For partnerships, the prices you see were either comped or discounted.ReplyCancel

  • JULIE1.31.23 - 6:21 PM

    Keep the kitchen content coming! As someone who used to be an estimator for a home builder, I love numbers like this! I see that the Construction number is labor and materials, but are all the other numbers materials only? I know your labor was plentiful, so that has a value too, even though not recognized in dollar amounts. I imagined if someone had a job like this completely done by a GC that it would be double your costs.ReplyCancel

    • Kim1.31.23 - 7:27 PM

      Good point. Yes, all other numbers are material only — except for floors which encompassed labor and material. We DIYed build and install to keep the number lower than it would have been.

      And yes, all other numbReplyCancel

  • Meredith1.31.23 - 6:56 PM

    Thanks for this! We’re buying a new home and planning a kitchen remodel and I think we got a good quote from our contractor, especially after reading this. I will definitely be stealing some of these ideas as I copy so many things y’all do!ReplyCancel

  • Ash2.1.23 - 1:12 AM

    I love the transparency, I love your new kitchen and I love the reel of your old kitchen! Definitely understand tearing up – such a gorgeous full circle sort of moment!ReplyCancel

  • MC2.1.23 - 9:38 AM

    Our kitchen remodel cost that too!  I’m surprised your flooring was ‘only’ $5k!  Our LVP floor install was significantly more (it included our adjacent living room though) so I’m glad you got your hardwoods for a good deal!  We had two walls removed to open things up.  Our appliances were less but we did use a general contractor; for anyone else planning a kitchen remodel, this is honestly in the realm of reality!  Thanks for sharing so much!ReplyCancel

  • Blanca2.1.23 - 2:36 PM

    Seeing the reel of your old kitchen still living its life in a new home made my heart happy. 
    I feel like construction/renovation can be so wasteful, but I understand why it’s needed sometimes. You guys did a great job and it is very well-deserved! ❤️ReplyCancel

  • Susan2.2.23 - 8:52 AM

    I know its not my business so feel free to not answer. Just wondering, for the parts of this that weren’t comped, did you save up a chunk of change first or did you finance it? If financed, how did you do so? I know I would never have the cash up front to redo our kitchen, yet also the thought of paying the financing costs over the life of a loan would mean paying for it multiple times over the life of a loan. Curious to have a discussion for how to decide how to pay for a reno and if it even makes financial sense for someone who just needs to live in their home (vs you who also need to create content for your business and brand). Is any of this a tax write off as a business expense? Maybe these questions are too personal so I’m not going to be offended if you pass. ReplyCancel

    • Kim2.2.23 - 9:34 AM

      Hi Susan! The short answer is that we save, save, save. We enjoy putting love into this home, so we prioritize our dollars for that purpose. For example, I’ll gladly purchase a beautiful pot filler, but I’ll hem and haw over a sweater, haha. Sadly, the majority of it is NOT a tax write off.ReplyCancel

  • Emily2.3.23 - 8:33 AM

    Thanks for sharing this cost breakdown. I’m getting quotes for my kitchen right now and it’s helpful to see a reference point in the same city. I’m surprised by how affordable your cabinets were! It’s making me rethink the Reform cabinets I’m about to spend on.ReplyCancel

    • Scott2.3.23 - 11:20 AM

      We absolutely love our Cabinet Joint cabinets. If you decide to go that route, shoot us a message us first. We can send you a code for 5% off of your purchase!ReplyCancel

  • Ericka3.7.23 - 9:54 AM

    Love your kitchen! Would be able to provide more information on your cabinet selection. I’m in the middle of planning my new kitchen, but when I go to the Cabinet Joint there is other information needed. Like which type of wood you used for your boxes and your doors. Are your doors all painted wood or MDF? Thank you ReplyCancel

    • Scott3.7.23 - 1:34 PM

      Hi Ericka! All of our cabinet doors are painted wood. Cabinets are all wood as well. Once you decide to move forward your Cabinet Coach can help you through the pros and cons of each option. That said, please shoot us a message for a 5% off code if you decide to move forward!ReplyCancel

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Kim and Scott

We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

Join us as we renovate and nurture vintage homes across Chicago + SW Michigan!

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