i'm also just starting the process and have been looking around. for my budgeting purposes, i'm going to use $300 per square foot based on:

"$300 per square foot for a whole house remodel" -- Bethesda Magazine, Apr 6, 2020

For kitchens: Remodeling's "2020 Cost vs Value Report found the average cost in the Washington DC area costs around $68,000. This works out to be $340 psf. ... A luxury remodel comes in at an average of $135,000 for Washington DC, the Cost Vs Value report found. The psf cost is $675" -- Sweeten, July 31, 2020

"whole-house renovation. This includes kitchen and baths: $200 to $300/sq.ft." -- Landis Construction

Room addition, not a kitchen: "our typical cost, square footage-wise is about $200 to $350 a square foot" -- Winthorpe Design and Build

Dry Space Costs@ $30 to $50 per square feet; Wet Spaces – Baths @ $400 per square feet & Kitchens $300 per square feet; Gut Remodeling with Customization @ $200 to $300 per square feet" -- Tejjy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money, go with more of an experienced handyman type to do the work. A design-build firm will be $$$$.

Sorry, but using an 'experienced handyman' for a kitchen remodel that includes knocking out a wall and reconfiguration is unrealistic. How are you going to get permits?

I would not take a homeowner/handyman’s word that a wall is not structurally important. Removing a wall needs at least a quick review by a structural engineer.

True. I'm the PP who said this and wasn't thinking about the wall removal. We used a handyman-type to do our kitchen remodel a few years back but we didn't remove any walls. He was licensed so permitting wasn't an issue and we saved quite a bit on labor. Total cost was ~30K for a smallish kitchen with new inset cabinets, soapstone counters, and mid-range appliances.

Unlicensed and unpermitted work? No thanks. Recipe for disaster. Guessing they didn't have workman's comp coverage either.

I'm in Philly and it's cheaper here but I did a similar project for about $75k. I'd be surprised if you could do it for less in your area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money, go with more of an experienced handyman type to do the work. A design-build firm will be $$$$.

Sorry, but using an 'experienced handyman' for a kitchen remodel that includes knocking out a wall and reconfiguration is unrealistic. How are you going to get permits?

I would not take a homeowner/handyman’s word that a wall is not structurally important. Removing a wall needs at least a quick review by a structural engineer.

True. I'm the PP who said this and wasn't thinking about the wall removal. We used a handyman-type to do our kitchen remodel a few years back but we didn't remove any walls. He was licensed so permitting wasn't an issue and we saved quite a bit on labor. Total cost was ~30K for a smallish kitchen with new inset cabinets, soapstone counters, and mid-range appliances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money, go with more of an experienced handyman type to do the work. A design-build firm will be $$$$.

Sorry, but using an 'experienced handyman' for a kitchen remodel that includes knocking out a wall and reconfiguration is unrealistic. How are you going to get permits?

I would not take a homeowner/handyman’s word that a wall is not structurally important. Removing a wall needs at least a quick review by a structural engineer.

We are in Fairfax and so far have quotes ranging from 50K - 80K, and we are not moving anything nor removing any walls. It's just for replacing everything, including the floor. And those are just the estimates - I expect it to be more. If anyone in my area got a kitchen for less, I would love to know how. Ikea?

These prices all sound so very high! What about just new cabinets, counters and backsplashes in a small urban kitchen?

We're in CC and redid our tiny kitchen 5+yrs ago and it cost us $40k easy. And yes the biggest cost in cabinets. I'm adding a few cabinets right now and 6 linear feet of a low/mid-range semi-custom cabinets are costing $5k without installation. In a good sized kitchen, you can easily hit $40k for cabinets alone, and way beyond if you're working with a higher end kitchen shop. Unless you have serious DIY skills, you're probably looking at $75k-$100k for a reasonable but not super luxe new kitchen.

To move nothing, no floor plan change, just redo the layout we had we were quoted $40k on our tiny Springfield place. When we talked about knocking down a non-load bearing wall it jumped to $60.

Anonymous wrote:If you want to save money, go with more of an experienced handyman type to do the work. A design-build firm will be $$$$.

Sorry, but using an 'experienced handyman' for a kitchen remodel that includes knocking out a wall and reconfiguration is unrealistic. How are you going to get permits?

Anonymous wrote:I’m trying to get a realistic kitchen remodel range of price.
Small colonial, removing wall between kitchen, dining room to create larger kitchen.
Need cabinets, flooring, lighting, countertops, island, move sink to island, mid-range appliances.
Any thoughts?

80 to 100K, excluding appliances and architect fees. In progress on a reno that includes this sort of kitchen remodeling. People claiming 40 to 50K aren't realistic. We had a number of GC's bid, and no one was near that low.

Anonymous wrote:OP here—in Chevy chase, md. The wall is not load-bearing.
One well known kitchen design firm (cabinet sellers) quoted $155-$210K which is outrageous
I want the non-Chevy chase price

That is high, even for CC. What are your plans?

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? That matters. In NW DC, this is a 75k+ job. Also depends on whether the wall is load-bearing, how much you are changing the layout, etc.

Yes, are you in the area? I’m in NW DC. Mine was 100, but would have been closer to 75 if I had chosen different appliances.

Anonymous wrote:OP here—in Chevy chase, md. The wall is not load-bearing.
One well known kitchen design firm (cabinet sellers) quoted $155-$210K which is outrageous
I want the non-Chevy chase price

Lol! Good on you OP for recognizing the rip off.

I love hearing these Chevy Chase price stories. Are there that many stupid rich people that the price gougers still do this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$75-$100k

This is more realistic. Cabinets alone can cost $40. It really depends how high end you are getting with everything. What type of appliances? In your area I would be shocked if you could do this as low as $40 as others have mentioned. I would guess, depending on what you choose, $70-$150.

40K for cabinets is a rip-off unless your kitchen is massively huge.