5 Low-Cost Kitchen Redos Buyers Will Love
By Erica Christoffer
Kitchen remodeling sales were up 36 percent in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same time a year earlier, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. It’s no wonder: The kitchen is the focal point in many homes.
Kitchens are one of the features buyers compare most closely when they’re shopping for a home. Here are cost estimates for some of the low-cost kitchen upgrades that listing agents often recommend to sellers:
1. Hardware.
Replacing cabinet hardware, such as handles, knobs, and hinges is a quick, DIY way to enhance kitchen space. According to HouseLogic.com, an average kitchen is 200 square feet with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, which equates to about 40 handles and knobs. Averaging between $2 and $20 per knob or pull, a home owner can expect to spend from $80 to $800 for this enhancement.
2. Faucet.
There are myriad options today in terms of height, spouts, pullout hoses, and folding necks, with quality faucets starting at around $200.
3. Lighting.
Adding an LED undercabinet light can have a dramatic effect for about $40.
4. Organization.
Buyers today choose functionality over elaborate decoration, says Jamie Goldberg, a National Kitchen & Bath Association–certified designer. Practical storage in the kitchen will go a long way. Over-the-door hooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall hooks for pots and pans, and stackable shelves for cabinets will add appeal, typically for less than $100.
5. Countertops.
Laminate can mimic the contemporary look of granite at a significant discount. The cost for an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of laminate countertop is roughly $1,575; the same space in granite would be about $2,400.
Source: "5 Low-Cost Kitchen Redos Buyers Will Love," RealtorMag
