Planning to remodel your kitchen this year? If so, you’re in good company. According to a recent survey done by the National Association of Realtors, 22 percent of first-time homebuyers and 11 percent of repeat buyers are planning kitchen projects this year.

The remodeling industry can thank the country’s rapidly aging housing stock for the expected increase in business. Homes that were built in the 1980s are now hitting the typical 25- to 30-year life cycle in which improvements begin to be needed.

If you’re among the thousands of Americans planning a kitchen remodel this year, a good place to start is by formulating a budget. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average kitchen remodel costs about $27,000.

Here’s a look at the breakdown as compiled by Remodeling Magazine’s annual “Cost Versus Value Report.” A new sink will run you between $100 to $200 for stainless steel and $200 to $2,000 for cast iron. Faucets cost between $60 and $100 for a basic chrome, two-handle faucet to $300 and more for faucets with increased functionality features or high-end finishes, such as nickel or bronze.

You can expect countertops to account for between $2,000 and $6,000 of your budget. Laminate and ceramic tile typically costs $10 to $50 per square foot; solid-surfacing or engineered stone between $100 and $200 per square foot; natural stones, such as marble or granite $150 and up per square foot.

Depending on which appliances you plan to replace, they can cost from $350 for a new state-of-the-art microwave to $3,500 for a new, top-of-the-line refrigerator. You also have to take into account the costs of re-doing the electrical, moving pipes if necessary and the cost of labor for the installation.

But by far, one of the biggest expenses you’ll face will be replacing the kitchen cabinets. They could easily account for half your budget. When it comes to replacement cabinets, stock are the most inexpensive way to go. They cost $50 to $200 per linear foot, and are available right off the shelf at your local home improvement store. Style options and features are limited, and because they only come in a few select sizes, they rarely work in a remodeling situation. Out of frustration, a lot of people immediately start looking into custom cabinets, which can cost up to five times more; but there is a more prudent option.

You can specify semi-custom cabinets, which are manufactured to buyer specifications for size and interior fittings. These days, one brand that’s getting a lot of attention from builders and home remodelers is Canac.

“What sets this brand apart is the method of construction,” says company spokesman, Mark Johansen. “Canac’s construction method provides full-access to the space inside because these cabinets are constructed without face frames. The drawers are inherently wider, offering considerably more storage space over framed cabinets. Access to larger items, like pots and pans, is not hindered by structural obstructions, meaning users don’t have to reach around center stiles or over face frames in a cumbersome manner to remove larger items.”

Full-access cabinets have the added benefit of being easier to clean. There are no corners or crevices, so dirt, dust and crumbs that tend to collect on other styles of cabinets are all but eliminated.

Canac offers more than 50 different cabinet styles and more than 400 door style/color combinations as well as myriad accessories to personalize your kitchen or other livable space in the home. “Full-access cabinets are design neutral, meaning Canac can create kitchens that include great detailing and decorative accessories typical of a traditional kitchen or something quite minimal and contemporary in appearance,” adds Johansen.

Almost all of Canac’s cabinetry is sold direct to new home builders and remodelers through an exclusive associate dealer network and corporate showrooms across North America. For more information, visit CanacKitchens.com or call toll free at (800) CANAC-4-U (1-800-226-2248).

Courtesy of ARA Content