Kitchen remodel cost: Where to spend and how to save

While no renovation adds as much equity to your home or is likely to be more enjoyed, kitchen remodel costs can get out of control quickly. When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, check out where experts suggest splurging — and where you can cut some corners.

Splurge: Exotic stone counter tops  

“When remodeling a kitchen, the number one splurge you should make is counter tops. They’re the first thing people see,” says contractor John DeSilvia, host of DIY Network’s “Under Construction” and “10 Grand in Your Hand.” Karen Williams, a designer and kitchen specialist and principal of the boutique design studio St. Charles of New York, agrees. “Exotic surfaces make a big first impression and can set the tone of the space,” she says. A kitchen island, in particular, deserves the splurge. As the gathering and entertaining hub in most kitchens, it’s highly visible and utilized. So top it with something special — calacatta marble, quartz or gorgeous lava stone, for example—and cut back on out-of-the-way prep areas if your budget is limited, says Williams.

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