By Trevor Phillips  |   Submitted On September 20, 2010

Remodeling your kitchen is a big decision in which you could probably use some sound advice. Questions that you need to have answered include:

How much will a kitchen remodeling job cost?

Will I be able to recoup my expenditures if I sell my house?

Can I change the layout of my kitchen?

The answers to these questions will help you to decide, first, if you should remodel your kitchen, and second, how you should remodel your kitchen. A kitchen design center will have experts on hand to answer any of your specific questions. It’s worth your time to consult a specialist early in the decision-making process of remodeling your kitchen. But, here are some generic answers to the above questions.

The cost of a kitchen remodeling job can vary widely, depending on the extent of the remodel. For the average $250,000 American home a complete kitchen remodels will range from $20 to 30,000 for a complete remodel with all new appliances. You can easily spend over $100,000 if you let your kitchen remodel get out of hand, or if you desire a gourmet kitchen. You can reduce the cost of your kitchen remodeling job by doing some of the work yourself, but if you are spending this kind of money, you want the total product to look professional, and unless you are an expert, it is usually best left to the professionals.

The general consensus is that you will recoup around 90% of the money spent on a kitchen remodel. While this may be a significant factor if you are planning to sell your house in the near future, it should also factor in any time you decide to remodel your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling will also give you a great return in the satisfaction and pleasure that you will get from living in a new kitchen. This should be the main factor in deciding whether not to remodel your kitchen.

Any kitchen layout can be changed, the question is: How much will you spend to make the changes? You should consider changing the layout of your kitchen if your house is more than 20 to 30 years old because kitchen functions and prominence have changed over time; or if, after living in your house for a while, you find the layout needs to be improved.

This is where an expert kitchen designer can help you with your decisions. A good designer will walk you through the kitchen remodel process, take your ideas and give them shape, and present you with options that you may have never considered. The designer can give you a 3-dimensional view of any design ideas, change the cabinets, countertops, and other details with the click of a button; helping you to visualize exactly what your new kitchen will look like. It is much easier to change any items in your kitchen on a computer than it is in your final kitchen.

A kitchen designer will be familiar with all the newest trends in kitchen designs, know the latest options in green materials, and be up to date with new products for the kitchen. Their knowledge will save you a lot of legwork or computer searching if decide to remodel your kitchen. If you begin your kitchen remodeling project by consulting with a kitchen designer, I think you’ll be surprised with the insight they will give your whole kitchen project.

As a kitchen cabinet/kitchen renovation expert, Trevor Phillips has years of experience helping clients realize their dream kitchen. Additional information on kitchen cabinets and renovations.