How to Keep Your Kitchen Remodel Under Budget
Regardless of how much you plan on spending during your kitchen renovation project, it’s always a bonus if you can come in under the planned budget. However, it may take a bit of time and energy on your part as you’ll need to do a bit of comparison shopping to get the best deals available. Another key factor will be the specific type of materials used for items such as cabinets, countertops and flooring. If you opt for custom designs then your costs will certainly be harder to keep down.
If you’ve received an estimate from a kitchen remodeling contractor that seems just a little out of your price range there are several ways to bring renovation costs down. For instance, you can paint your existing cabinets rather than replacing them while still having enough money to purchase new appliances and countertops. If you take the time to shop around when it comes to both labor and materials you’ll find there’s usually a great variance in cost. We find the best kitchen remodeling contractor in The Bay Area by researching reviews online. This means you can save money on the renovation if you plan on doing it yourself or hiring a professional contractor. Contractors can often get a better price on materials and appliances than you can on your own.
You may find it’s less expensive to hire a general contractor to complete the entire project or it may be easier on the pocketbook if you hire different people for different tasks, though you will become the general contractor at this point, which can lead to mistakes and cost overruns if you do not have experience managing a renovation project. Either way, be sure you know exactly what’s included when hiring outside help regarding labour, materials, and guarantees on the work. A great deal of money can be saved if you don’t move your gas and plumbing lines so keep this in mind when planning your kitchen renovation.
Shop around
It’s highly recommended that you shop around to compare prices for materials and appliances since you might be surprised what you find. You may want to check out popular online selling ventures such as Craigslist and eBay as well as your local big box and hardware stores. However, you may also want to inquire with local tradesmen such as cabinetmakers and fabricators. They may have materials left over from some of their previous jobs which they may be willing to sell at a greatly reduced price.
Be flexible
When it comes to materials you may save a substantial amount if you’re willing to be flexible. You’ll find that you may be able to achieve the same overall look of the kitchen even when substituting less-expensive materials. This is especially true when it comes to countertops and flooring since it’s often hard to tell the difference between real granite and hardwood flooring and less-expensive laminate materials and porcelain. In addition, a fresh coat of paint can often breathe new life into your cabinetry and is certainly less expensive. Don’t be afraid to consider alternative designs and materials. Naturally expensive materials such as marble definitely look good, but they also wear out over time when compared to less expensive quartz. If you can get the same look for your kitchen at a better price per square foot, then it may pay to be flexible.
Trust your instincts
Don’t be afraid to choose your own materials instead of depending on the contractor to do it for you. While a contractor can offer great advice based on experience, nobody has a better idea of what you’re looking for when dealing with appliances, flooring, lighting, cabinets, and countertops etc. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting and how much it costs. Go with your instincts and don’t make your choices strictly based on the name of the brand, especially when it comes to cabinets and appliances. There’s no point paying more for the name only especially if the warranties are the same. Also, keep your eye out for sales at local stores and online when comparing appliances.
Do as much work as possible
Even if you’re not the best handyman or woman around there are likely some tasks you’ll be able to do on your own. This will cut down on labour costs and if worst comes to worst you can have the contractor help you out. You may be able to paint, assemble cabinets and do some demolition work like tearing out your old cabinets. Just bear in mind that your kitchen renovation project may not turn out as professional looking as you hoped when compared to having a professional contractor do the work for you.
In the long run, you’re more likely to stay within or under your budget if you plan ahead and put some effort into research and comparison shopping. As your kitchen renovation progresses you may see several opportunities to save money compared to your original budget.
