My decades-old kitchen cabinets were falling apart, the boards were rotten, doors were loose; It was clear that a full renovation was overdue. I finally decided to take on the project myself.
The first and most significant change was replacing all the cabinets. I chose Hampton Bay Avondale ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets from Home Depot because the boxes are made from 1/2-inch plywood which is very sturdy and durable. The cabinets alone cost me nearly $2,600, but since Home Depot provides a 10% discount when you purchase more than 10 cabinets, I managed to bring the price down a bit. Assembling the cabinets is super quick and easy; Installing them is also not as complicated as I thought.
Previously, I didn’t have a range hood, and even with the windows open, the smell would linger throughout the house. This time, I installed a new range hood along with all the necessary ductwork. The materials cost about $600, and while it took me some time to complete the installation, the improvement was more than worth it.
A kitchen renovation wouldn’t be complete without updating the countertops. I went with a Quartz countertop from Home Depot, which cost $2,500 at $74 per square foot. It was one of the larger investments in the project, but the polished surface, durability, and low maintenance made it a worthwhile upgrade.
For the sink, I bought the Kohler Pro-Function Kitchen Sink Kit for $300 from Costco. Along with it, I decided to redo all the plumbing, which included adding an under-sink reverse osmosis water purifier. These upgrades added another $300 to the project, but they made a big difference in both convenience and water quality.
Finally, to finish the project, I installed new sheet vinyl flooring in the kitchen for about $600. Not only is it durable and easy to clean, but it also gives the kitchen a fresh look.
When everything was tallied, the cost of the renovation came to:
- Cabinets: $2,400
- Range hood and ductwork: $600
- Quartz countertop: $2,500
- Sink and plumbing with RO purifier: $600
- Vinyl flooring: $600
That brings the total renovation cost to $6,700.
This total doesn’t include the cost of tools, many of which I already owned. Between the press tool for plumbing, drills, an impact driver, and a laser level, the tool investment could easily add another $1,500 for someone starting from scratch.
In the end, the project was a lot of work, but my old kitchen is now a bright, functional, and welcoming space. While the total cost was significant, it’s far less than hiring contractors for a full kitchen remodel.
