Why a “cheap” IKEA Kitchen Is Actually Expensive
The average kitchen reno costs around $25,000 , with the most expensive closer to $40,000. The cost depends on many factors, from your geographic location (for example, it is much cheaper in the south) to your taste and the size of your kitchen. However, whatever one may say, kitchen renovation is an expensive pleasure.
So it’s no surprise that buying a kitchen from IKEA is a tempting option. There is absolutely no doubt that IKEA kitchens are a lot cheaper on paper – about half the price on average, and possibly less, depending on the options you choose. IKEA sells everything you need for your kitchen in one place, from appliances to floors, cabinets, countertops and finishes, so it’s also a pretty handy way to remodel.
If this sounds too good to be true… it is. While the bottom line costs for an IKEA kitchen are low, there can be many hidden costs that many homeowners don’t anticipate in terms of both cash and equity. That’s why a “cheap” IKEA kitchen is really expensive.
Additional fees apply
IKEA maintains the accessibility of its kitchens in the same way that it does furniture: a lack of customization and a do-it-yourself approach to assembly and installation. If you’ve ever puzzled over the incomprehensible instructions for building an IKEA bookshelf or desk, you have a glimpse of what’s in store for you when kitchen furniture arrives. There’s a lot of do-it-yourself work out there – well, a lot . These cabinets will be shipped unassembled and each one must be assembled before you can install it.
For example, this person installed a brand new IKEA kitchen for $14,493.45 — a great price for a brand new kitchen. Notice the $0.00 on her price list: installation. If you are practical enough and have a lot of free time, assembling cabinets and then installing them will only cost you sweaty capital. If you’re busy or unsure of the tools, paying IKEA or an independent contractor to assemble and install your cabinets will net you an extra $2,000-$4,000 depending on the size and complexity of your kitchen.
If you want an IKEA consultant to help you plan your kitchen, it will cost you about $150. You’ll probably want to do this because the lack of customization means fitting everything you need in your kitchen using IKEA’s fixed cabinet sizes can be a daunting task. Using IKEA’s online planning software isn’t easy either. It has a rather steep learning curve and can become a “time sucker” that ends in frustration . Of course, you can also find an interior designer who works with IKEA kitchens, but interior designers are expensive ( usually $65-$250 an hour, and the price can be as high as $10,000 on top of your other expenses).
Oh, and shipping will cost you between $49 and $99, which is incredibly cheap considering you get an entire kitchen. Keep in mind that IKEA will charge you this fee every time something is delivered to you, whether it’s the entire kitchen or a drawer you forgot to turn on the first time. If you find that you need extra things along the way, you can pay a few hundred dollars for additional shipping charges. Please note that you can pick up your kitchen yourself, but this will likely require you to rent a truck unless you are installing a very compact kitchen.
If you don’t like the look of the standard cabinet fronts that IKEA offers – and a lot of people don’t – you’ll have to order custom doors from a third party ( semi-handmade is extremely popular). In fact, many people want affordable IKEA frames, but prefer to spend the extra money on exterior details (doors, trim, etc.) to make a fairly simple IKEA kitchen look “luxury”.
Finally, if this is your first major Reno project, you may need to invest in some high quality tools to get the job done, especially if you plan on customizing your cabinets yourself, which is another expense you’ll need. to consider.
Pot of equity
If you decide to DIY your IKEA kitchen to keep costs as low as possible, you should consider the fact that equity is a form of cost. You will spend a lot of time installing an IKEA kitchen yourself. Your list of timing considerations will include:
- Planning time. You will need to display everything online or in a store.
- Travel time. You will be traveling to make a purchase and pick it up if you choose not to deliver it.
- Delivery time. Delivery is carried out by the day, without a specific time and without a preliminary call, and IKEA does not deliver if no one is at home. You will have to block all day.
- Inventory time. After delivery, you have 48 hours to take inventory and contact IKEA if anything is missing. This means you need to get to work immediately, opening the boxes and checking your order.
- Build time. On average, reasonably smart adults should be able to assemble 10 cabinets in about eight hours .
- Installation time. If you’ve never done a major overhaul/renovation before, this will take you much longer than you think. Unless there’s major plumbing or electrical work, it’s probably one to three days of work, barring a disaster.
These hours add up and your time is valuable. Just something to consider.
The cost of materials too
Finally, while IKEA cabinets generally get good reviews and come with a limited 25-year warranty, the old adage that you get what you pay for comes into play here. Another reason IKEA cabinets are cheap is because of what they’re made of: most custom or half cabinets are made from solid wood, which feels strong and durable, as well as incredibly durable. IKEA cabinets are made from Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), which is not as strong and is especially prone to bulging in damp areas, which is not ideal for kitchens.
Bottom line: these cabinets probably won’t wear as well as solid wood cabinets. Many IKEA kitchen owners note that the paint peels off quite easily , and the cabinets wear out after only a year or two. Ultimately, you may have to replace your kitchen much sooner than a kitchen built with custom cabinetry, meaning your “cheap” IKEA kitchen might not be all that cheap.
After all, an IKEA kitchen is a good option for those on a tight budget. With careful planning, some care and proper maintenance, an IKEA kitchen can be a beautiful and functional way to update your home, but it just won’t be as cheap as you think.