The kitchen is the one place in the home where everyone comes together, whether it’s during a family reunion or for dinner on a Wednesday night. It’s a place that you want to be both functional and beautiful, but it’s also an expensive part of a house to remodel.
From replacing your floors and countertops to upgrading old cabinets and appliances, there’s a lot involved in a kitchen remodel. To reduce the price tag and help the project go as smoothly as possible, plan ahead, ask for help (from professionals and friends and family!), and be willing to take on some DIY projects. Search online and read ahead to find affordable ways to remodel your kitchen.
Expect to Spend A Lot of Money
Kitchen remodeling projects can be very pricy. HomeAdvisor states that Americans spend, on average, $25,439 remodeling their kitchen, depending on the size of the space, quality of the materials, and layout changes. The budget for the kitchen remodel should be 5% to 15% of the home’s value.
According to HGTV, 20% to 35% of the budget should go into labor, 35% into cabinets, 20% for appliances, 10% for windows, 5% for fixtures, about 5% for fittings, and 7% for miscellaneous spending. You need to also have about 20% extra for any unexpected problems that almost always arise during a reno.
Pick Your Priorities
If you want to stick to your budget, you need to list your priorities, not just everything you want. If adding an island, replacing all your appliances for top-of-the-line stainless steel versions, or installing oak cabinets is a high priority, then recognize that (unless you’ve got a massive budget) you’ll have to be concessions elsewhere.
A good place to start is to head to your kitchen and try to answer these questions:
- What do you currently like and dislike about your current kitchen?
- What is the feature or features that you need the most in a kitchen?
- Will you be selling your home soon?
- Can something be done at a later date?
- Does plumbing or electrical need to be changed?
According to HGTV, people tend to think about remodeling their kitchen because of the added value when selling the home. However, unless you will be selling your home in the 12 to 24 months following the reno, make changes that fit your personal lifestyle and needs.
Make Budget-Friendly Material Choices
It’s a tempting idea to rip everything out and start from scratch like you’re on a home renovation show, but that might not be the best idea for your budget. And you may not actually need to do that! For example, cabinets are an area you can easy make a budget-friendly choice. You can save thousands of dollars by making a DIY project out of them and sanding, painting, and adding modern handles and pulls. If you really do need to replace them, skip the fancy options made of oak or cherry and opt for a cheaper material.
Shopping around is also very important. It common to find a certain item that we love – like a light fixture or tile – that will be perfect for the space and just head to the cashier to make a purchase. But you can save a lot of money by shopping around to compare prices or even find a “dupe” – a cheaper version of a higher end item.
Secondhand shopping is also a good idea when remodeling. Check out local reuse centers, flea markets, or Craigslist to find materials you need at a much lower price. It’ll take a little bit of extra work, but it’s worth it if you’re trying to stretch your budget.
Hire a Contractor to Help Save Money
It’s a good idea to hire a professional contractor to execute your kitchen remodel. Their experience and expertise, as well as their connections to people in the construction industry, can help ensure everything runs smoothly.