How much contingency should you budget for a kitchen remodel

Q: How much contingency should you budget for a kitchen remodel?

A common planning rule is to hold back a contingency of roughly 10 to 20 percent of the kitchen budget, toward the higher end for older homes and for remodels that open walls. It covers conditions nobody can see until demolition starts. Typical surprises include outdated or undersized wiring, corroded supply pipes, subfloor damage under the sink or dishwasher, and walls hiding ducts or vents. Removing a wall can also reveal framing that needs reinforcing, and an older electrical panel may not carry the new kitchen circuits. Keep the contingency separate from the money set aside for finishes, and agree with your remodeler in writing on how changes will be priced and approved before work begins.

Typical surprises include outdated or undersized wiring, corroded supply pipes, subfloor damage under the sink or dishwasher, and walls hiding ducts or vents. Removing a wall can also reveal framing that needs reinforcing, and an older electrical panel may not carry the new kitchen circuits.

Keep the contingency separate from the money set aside for finishes, and agree with your remodeler in writing on how changes will be priced and approved before work begins.

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How much contingency should you budget for a kitchen remodel?

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