In many homes, the kitchen and the bathroom are perhaps the two most important areas of the house, and both of these rooms are obvious places to begin if you are thinking of renovating part of your home. However, if you can’t afford to spend too much, how do you decide between carrying out kitchen renovations or choosing to focus on bathroom renovations? One thing is for sure; you are certain to be complimented on your home if you carry out improvements in either your bathroom or kitchen, unlike the deck or other areas which may just go unnoticed. And renovating either of these rooms will add value to your home.

Cost Comparisons

If cost is your primary concern, you may want to opt for renovating your bathroom, as bathroom renovations are nearly always going to be less expensive than kitchen renovations. If you are renovating a small to medium sized bathroom, expect to pay around $9,348 for the work, while your costs will be more like $13,000 to over $20,000 if you have a more complicated project or are renovating a large bathroom. The typical price is somewhere between about $5,666 and $13,031.

If you are renovating a smaller kitchen, expect to pay somewhere between about $10,000 and $15,000, and these figures can include such finishing touches and extras as a new tile backsplash, an upgraded sink, and new cabinets. However, if you choose custom cabinets, stone countertops, new appliances and brand new flooring or you are renovating a larger kitchen, your total costs will be closer to $30,000. The average for most Canadian homes is between $12,759 and $31,733.

Which Is Less Invasive?

It’s going to be inconvenient to some extent to carry out renovations in either of these rooms, as you use them both regularly. It’s arguably easier to live without using your kitchen for a short while if you don’t mind using the microwave or eating out while work is being carried out.

However, it is going to be disruptive not to use your bathroom for a while if you only have one bathroom. Using the facilities at a local gym or your workplace, or going over to your next door neighbor’s house to use the bathroom are all options but can be inconvenient if you are forced to do that for several weeks.

Which Is Quicker to Renovate?

The length of time for kitchen renovation projects to be completed can depend on the amount and scope of the work being done, and you can expect a comprehensive kitchen renovation to take up to 3 months. However, it can take as little as a couple of weeks for minor renovations and upgrades. Custom products can take longer to order and install. If you compare this to the amount of time for the average bathroom renovation, as long as there are no significant problems, the work can be completed in three weeks or less.

Best For Resale Value

In general, just over 50 percent of real estate professionals will tell you that kitchen renovations will add the most value to your home, making the kitchen a better choice than the bathroom. On average, kitchen renovations also have a higher rate of return on your investment than renovations to the bathroom. However, it can all depend on a particular buyer and exactly what they are looking for, as well as trends in the area of the country that you live in. Assume a return on investment rate of between 65 and 100 percent for renovations to either the kitchen or bathroom.

In Conclusion

Although every homeowner’s situation is different, in general, you can expect to add more value to your home and appeal more to potential buyers with a kitchen renovation rather than a renovated bathroom. However, renovating your kitchen won’t take as long or cause as much disruption to your routine, so considering all these factors is a must.

Kitchen Renovations in Vancouver

Caliber West Renovations
Suite 600 – 1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(778) 785-7395