3 Types of Kitchen Restoration Renton Homes Need—and Definitely Deserve

The average home in Renton, WA, is roughly 39 years old. A large portion of these houses were built in the ‘60s and ‘80s; expect damaged cabinets, worn kitchen fixtures, and leaky plumbing, among other issues. 

The kitchen is the heart of your home, and you certainly don’t want it to simply fall apart from age. Restoration of old kitchens should be considered with urgency, especially since they are prone to water damage that can easily spread to adjacent areas of your home. With that in mind, here are the three types of kitchen restoration Renton homeowners should consider.

Cheapest Kitchen Restoration Renton Residents Can Do

Sometimes, the simplest restoration should be enough to bring new life to your kitchen. If your kitchen merely suffer from cosmetic issues or outdated aesthetics, you don’t need to go beyond the cheapest restoration package. The most budget-friendly kitchen restoration projects cover the following:

• Cosmetic updates. This mainly involves paint and surface-level aesthetic features. Paint, in particular, tends to peel and fade over time, so cosmetic updates are essential for older Renton kitchens. Cosmetic restoration may also include updating the paint job to newer, more modern hues. 
• New kitchen equipment. This covers easily replaceable kitchen hardware, such as light bulbs and countertop appliances. Modernizing culinary equipment is crucial to the restoration process, as old appliances and the like often act as silent drains to your home’s efficiency and potential safety hazards. While they are still perfectly functional, they are built for a different time and for outdated systems. 
• Minor upgrades. These are small, often inexpensive updates that practically improve your kitchen’s aesthetics and functionality without requiring major construction. For mid- and late-century Renton homes, this may include the following:
  • Replacing old cabinet hardware like knobs and pulls with modern alternatives.
  • Refreshing the backsplash with a fresh coat of waterproof paint or peel-and-stick tiles.
  • Adding new organizers inside the cabinet to make the most of the existing storage. 

The goal here is to give your kitchen a noticeable refresh without breaking the bank. You should expect to spend at least $10,000, but not lower than $22,000.

Mid-Range Kitchen Restoration

If you have the budget, you can go well beyond surface-level kitchen restoration. You may focus on a targeted upgrade, or simultaneously restore multiple features without demolishing your kitchen. The key here is to keep the project non-invasive and within a mid-tier budget. If you don’t know where to begin, consider the following restoration projects:

• Cabinet refacing. This is essentially giving your cabinet a makeover. This involves replacing the doors, the drawer fronts, and the laminate. This is a relatively simple way to update your kitchen cabinet’s look without going for a full overhaul. 
• Countertop replacement. This is the complete removal of your kitchen countertop and the replacement of it with a new one. Naturally, the work can be complex given how your countertop integrates with your kitchen. Professional labor will need to get involved in this one if you are to avoid accidents that can cause injuries or unintended damage to your kitchen. 
• Fixture update. This involves changing kitchen fixtures such as the lights, faucets, and sinks. While these might seem like small details, they are the “jewelry” of the kitchen and often bridge the gap between a simple refresh and a significant restoration.
• New major appliances. Replacing old refrigerators and ranges, among others, falls well within most mid-range kitchen restoration budgets. Replacing them gives homeowners the advantage of improved efficiency, as outdated appliances consume more electricity than modern Energy Star-certified models. Besides lower electricity bills, new appliances are safer, having better safety features that practically bring the risk of fire close to zero. 

The expenses incurred by a mid-range kitchen restoration project start at around $15,000. It can peak at $40,000 or even higher, but none of the items in the final bill include new construction.

Full Kitchen Overhaul

A full kitchen overhaul is practically a kitchen remodel. It involves major changes to your kitchen, often requiring significant reconstruction. There are three main reasons why this may be necessary:

1. The kitchen was damaged beyond repair.
2. The existing structure does not meet the needs of the current residents.
3. The home needs an upgrade that maximizes its marketability and selling value.

The overhaul primarily focuses on practical, high-end upgrades but may also add luxury features. Here are some common updates that you can expect from a full kitchen remodel:

• Structural repairs. Full overhauls may include major repairs to the kitchen structure. This could involve the frame and subfloors. This is especially true for Renton homes that have suffered significant water damage, as is common in the damp Puget Sound climate.  
• Layout changes. An updated layout is a common byproduct of a complete overhaul. You are practically building a new kitchen. This should give you the unique opportunity to correct previous design flaws or reshape the area to your liking.  
• Custom cabinets. A full overhaul is also an opportunity to install new, custom cabinets. These new cabinets should work best with your new kitchen layout. They may also be tailored to your workflow, maximizing your kitchen ergonomics. 
• Premium materials. Forget veneers and plywood. Your overhauled kitchen may now feature hardwood cabinets and a poured-concrete countertop. Make your investment worth it with premium materials that last.  
• High-end appliances. There’s room for smart appliances in a full kitchen overhaul. It’s easier to integrate smart systems during a reconstruction. Additionally, the new layout can give way to bulkier machines like professional ranges and built-in column refrigerators.  

The budget for a full kitchen overhaul starts at $50,000. The sky is the limit here, and the possibilities are practically endless. 

Is It Better to DIY or Hire a Professional Kitchen Remodeler?

You can certainly do most budget-friendly and mid-range kitchen restorations by yourself. However, it may be impractical if you lack the tools, skills, and experience needed for the task. It still pays to invest in professional kitchen remodeling services. After all, they are equipped and trained well enough to ensure that your kitchen is restored beyond mere satisfaction.