Buying a new kitchen is like buying a new car. There is a big difference in price and quality. Do you want a Toyota or a Lexus? All the bells and whistles or a compromise or two? You can keep the cost down by making affordable product choices – thermafoil doors instead of all wood, laminate countertops instead of granite, etc.
A rule of thumb says your kitchen should represent 10-20% of the fair market value of your home. So if your home is worth $300,000 then spend between 30-60K on your kitchen improvements. If you spend less than 10% then the kitchen won’t meet the expectations of potential buyers. If you spend more than 20% you are less likely to make that back in a re-sale.