Best Budget Saving Kitchen Remodeling Tips

July 24, 2021 Tommy W. No Comments

Kitchen remodeling can be a costly and difficult project. We estimate that the average kitchen remodel will cost $23,000. A full-scale renovation with custom cabinets and granite countertops, as well as high-end appliances, can run up to $40,000 or higher.

These numbers will sink your heart if you are a homeowner with big dreams for your kitchen and a limited budget. Don’t despair! There are many ways to stretch your kitchen remodel budget. You can make a huge impact on your kitchen with some creativity, a lot of patience, and a lot of elbow grease, meaning DIY.

Kitchen remodels that are affordable can increase the value of a home. Most homeowners receive back between 80% and 90% of the money they spent on a kitchen remodeling project when they sell their house. This means that you can double your investment if you do the same project twice. It’s a win-win situation: savings today and future returns.

Kitchen Remodeling Money-Saving Tips

Remodeling can be treated in the same way as decorating. Many other strategies work for all types of remodeling projects, not just those in the kitchen. These tips can be divided into three categories: labor, planning, and materials.

Schedule & Plan Out Your Project

Take your time when remodeling your kitchen. It is the most important thing you can do to save money. Give yourself a few weeks (or even months if you are planning a major remodel) to get a clear picture of what you want. Then, take a look at many design options and price them out. Get advice from pros and contractors. A clear plan will prevent you from making changes mid-project, which can increase the overall cost.

Priorities are important when planning. At the beginning of a project, it’s easy to say, “While we are at it, we might just as well…” and add many additional jobs. But, unfortunately, the scope of the project will soon double in size, as well as the budget.

Instead, take a step back and examine your kitchen from a critical perspective. Take the time to ask yourself what you dislike most, what you like, and what you can live with. Perhaps you don’t need new cabinets, but your current counters and flooring work fine. You’ll save money if you leave as much of your existing kitchen intact.

This is especially true for the kitchen layout. For example, moving your kitchen sink will require re-plumbing all pipes leading to it. Additionally, when moving a range requires shifting gas or electrical lines. Consumer Reports estimates that either one of these jobs can take at least one day of work by a plumber or an electrician, and the hourly rate is $45 to $145.

Even if it means you need to move things around in the kitchen, you should think twice about adding too much space. Large kitchens are more expensive to build and can be difficult to use. Architectural Digest states that each side of the kitchen’s “work triangle,” which is the area between the stove, fridge, and sink, should be between 4-9 feet. The three sides together should not exceed 26 feet.

Material Savings

It is best to use what you already have, which will help you save money on materials. For example, a fresh coat of paint can often transform dingy walls, cabinets, and counters. Look around in other rooms of your home for pieces that you can reuse. Perhaps the old bench in your front entrance is just what you need to make a new breakfast nook.

Here are some other ways to save money on your new kitchen.

Take a look around. No matter how expensive, it’s tempting to buy something you like, such as a beautiful floor tile or a great lighting fixture. It’s worth spending more time to find the best price. You might find a better lighting fixture at a lower price at another tile store. Finding the right price for what you need is possible with patience and persistence.
Buy Secondhand. You can find all types of materials at reuse centers like the Habitat For Humanity ReStore. You can find tiles, countertops, cabinets, hardware, and lighting fixtures at bargain prices. You can also find secondhand materials on Craigslist, eBay, and even Freebies from your local Freecycle organization. You will need to inspect these secondhand items carefully to ensure they are in good condition. However, if you’re lucky, you might be able to fill many of your renovation requirements at a fraction of the cost of new materials.
Sell your old stuff. You can also sell your secondhand stuff at shops and websites that offer great deals on secondhand materials. The stock you take out to redecorate a kitchen, such as counters, appliances, and lighting fixtures, is often still usable. Instead of dumping it in the landfill, try to find someone who will buy it. The bright yellow stove you used to hate could be the perfect choice for renovating a vintage kitchen. Also, the money you receive for it may offset the cost of your new stainless-steel range.
Mix it up. It is trendy to mix different finishes in your kitchen. You can use different colors for the upper and lower cabinets or different materials for the countertops and island. You can accent a high-end product with a small amount of cheaper materials if you don’t love it. You can, for example, use fancy glass doors on the upper cabinets while using a simpler design for those at the bottom.
Pay attention to the details. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or effort to change the look of your kitchen. A few simple and inexpensive improvements can brighten up a dull kitchen by changing small details such as faucets and lighting fixtures. Even if you have a limited budget, accessories such as artwork and green plants can make a big difference.

DIY And Save On Labor

We estimate that one out of four dollars spent on remodeling a kitchen’s interior is for labor, including plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. You can save money by doing more of the work yourself. Therefore, it makes sense to DIY whenever possible.

It’s a mistake to try to do everything yourself when you’re renovating on a large scale. Taking a job that’s exceeding your skills won’t save you money if you end up having to hire an expert to fix your blunders – or if you met with an accident with an unknown power tool.

Before you decide whether to hire a contractor or DIY, do your research. You need to be honest about your DIY skills and determine if you can do it independently. You can tackle the job if you have experience with it, or it isn’t too difficult to make mistakes. If it’s not, you can leave it up to the professionals.

Demolition is one part you can do yourself. It’s much easier to tear out cabinets and flooring than it is to put them in. You don’t even need a contractor license to use a sledgehammer. You can do the demolition yourself, which makes the kitchen a blank canvas. Your contractors can then come in to tackle the more difficult jobs.

If you have a job that requires professional assistance, it is a great way to save money by finding a reliable contractor who will do the job correctly and at a fair price. Make sure to get several quotes for each job, including wiring and plumbing. Also, make sure you know what the cost includes. The lowest bid isn’t a bargain if all it gets you is a half-baked job. To assess the contractor’s skills, call their references and, if possible, view their past work in person.

A written contract is vital before you hire a contractor. The contract should include every step of the project as well as every service. You should also ensure that contractors have copies of their licenses, workers’ comp, and liability insurance so that you can verify that they are still valid.

Select Which Items To Save On During Your Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodels tend to focus on the most important items of your kitchen, such as cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and flooring. However, you can make a huge impact by making small changes, such as changing the lighting or adding a backsplash. There are many ways to save money on these small and large updates.

Cabinets

Cabinets are the largest expense in a kitchen remodel. Consumer Reports estimates that new cabinets could cost up to 40% of your kitchen budget, amounting to more than $8,600 per kitchen remodel.

There are many ways to lower your cost. Here are some ideas:

Change the Finish: You can save a lot of money by refinishing or repainting your cabinets. Refinishing or repainting old cabinets can make them look better. Take off all doors. Next, wash both the cabinet and door faces with a degreasing solution. Rinse. If you are repainting, give your cabinets a light sanding, then apply primer and a coat of paint. You can refinish cabinets by sanding them more to remove any old finish. Next, apply a new stain or varnish. For a few hundred dollars, you can get a complete set of new-looking cabinets. However, be aware that cabinets installed before 1978 may have lead-based paint or finishes. Refinishing cabinets should be left to professionals, as it will likely cost around $50 per door.
Reface Cabinets. Refacing cabinets can also be an option. This covers replacing all drawer fronts and doors and applying new veneers on the cabinets. This is more expensive than repainting, at around $150 per cabinet opening. However, it allows you to change the look of your cabinets.
Replace the Hardware. Get new hardware while you are updating the cabinets. It’s easy to replace old drawer pulls and handles with newer ones. This will give your cabinets a completely different look. As per our estimation, new knobs and pulls will cost between $2 and $20 per piece. For a kitchen with 30 feet of cabinets, that means you could expect to spend between $80-$800. The cost of replacing cabinets is still fractional if you choose high-end hardware.
Stock cabinets. You can find them here. Prices and quality of new cabinets can vary greatly. For a typical kitchen, custom cabinets can be built to fit your space at the cost of $500 per foot. Stock cabinets are more affordable and come in limited styles and sizes. They can be as low as $70 per square foot. Stock cabinets can vary in quality. They are often made from particle board with veneer on top rather than stronger plywood. Consumer Reports states that budget models can be just as durable as high-end brands. Bottom line: Don’t compromise on cabinet quality but don’t expect to spend top dollar for it.
Open Shelving: Modern kitchens are becoming more popular, with open shelving replacing the upper cabinets. If your kitchen is small or dark, this will give it a lighter, more airy feel. You can also show off beautiful dishes. Open shelves are also cheap so that you can cut down on your cabinet costs by almost half. However, open shelves can be a hassle because your items will always be on display. That means you need to spend more time organizing them.
DIY Installation. The majority of the cost for new cabinets goes on materials. However, labor costs can be quite expensive. Homeowners tend to spend about $2,100 to have their cabinets taken out and new cabinets installed. If you have some experience with installing cabinets, you can save money. This is a large project and takes a lot of time. Consumer Reports estimates that each set of wall and base cabinets will take at least one hour to assemble and put up. Installing lower cabinets is easier than upper cabinets, making it a great option to replace them with open shelving.

Counters

A kitchen remodels with a middle-range budget will cost around $3,100 to have new countertops installed. However, the price of countertops can vary depending on the material you choose. These are some of the most common countertop materials:

Laminate. The common material is made of a compressed paper or particleboard core and then covered with a thin hard plastic layer. It is easy to put together and comes in many different colors and patterns. It scratches easily if you touch it. Wilsonart and Formica are two common brands. Cost: $5-$25 per square foot
Solid Surface. Solid-surface worktops such as Corian are comprised of acrylic, polyester, or a combination of both. The surface is stain-resistant and comes in many colors. You can sand it out if you have small scratches or nicks.Cost:$55 to $50 per square foot
Butcher Block. A butcher-block counter comprises thin strips of wood bonded together to form a slab. Although it is easy to put together and gives homeowners a warm appearance, it can be easily stained or scratched. Cost: Prices range from $20 to $60 per square feet
Granite. Consumer Reports found that natural granite counters are the most durable type, with resistance to heat, cuts, and scratches. Granite counters are also very popular because of their unique patterns. Seak the Granite frequently to prevent stains and to chip at the corners. Cost: Prices range from $20 to $60 per square feet
Quartz. Quartz composite is also known as engineered rock. It has the appearance and hardness of a natural stone slab, but —- comprises quartz chips bonded with epoxy or acrylic. Consumer Reports rated it as the most durable counter material, with resistance to heat, staining, scratches, and stains. The only problem with this counter type is its sharp corners that can chip. Cost: Prices range from $20 to $60 per square feet
Other Stone. Many homeowners love natural stone, including soapstone, limestone, and marble. These stones are more expensive than quartz or granite and less durable. They can scratch, stain, and melt easily. Marble can also be affected by heat. Cost: From $20 to $75 per square feet

Material has a significant impact on the final price. For example, you could spend $300 on a laminate for 60 feet or $4,500 on a high-end stone for $4,500. You can also add $1,000 to your total if you need fancy details like a waterfall edge.

There are many ways to achieve the granite look for less if you have a budget and a taste for granite. Instead of purchasing a granite slab, you can buy granite tiles at a lower price and then install them over plywood and tile backer boards. The grout lines can be camouflaged by using a dark grout to make the granite look one piece. It will cost you about the same amount to have laminate countertops professionally installed if you do it yourself.

Mixing materials is another option. For example, one slab of quartz or granite can be purchased and installed on an island. Then, you can choose a laminate that is cheaper in a complementary color for the rest of the counters.

Appliances

Kitchen remodels typically cost around 15% to replace new appliances. Consumer Reports estimates that a complete set of new appliances from mass-market brands will cost you around $5,000. Professional-style appliances like Wolf and Viking can double or even quadruple the price.

Here are some ways you can keep your costs down.

Don’t Replace everything. Consider first whether you can still use your old appliances. You don’t have to throw appliances out if they are still in good condition. If you want to replace just one appliance – for example, the dishwasher – and you’re concerned that the fridge and appliance won’t match, think painting them. Special appliance paint is available in many colors, including stainless steel. You can also apply chalkboard paint to your fridge for a modern message center.
Buy a set. You can save money by purchasing all of your appliances together. If you want the best performance, it’s better to mix and match brands. Experts recommend that you choose the set with the largest range if you decide to purchase a set. Flaws in a microwave or fridge are easier to live with than an oven that doesn’t cook evenly.
You should be looking for quality, not style. Appliances are not always what they seem. Consumer Reports tests have shown that pro-style appliances perform less well than the best-rated mass-market models. There is no evidence to suggest that these appliances will increase your home’s resale values more than other types of appliances. You can get the best performance by relying on independent reviews, not brand names.
Select a 1-Piece Range. The range is very affordable. A range is much cheaper than a stove or wall oven. One of the top-rated electric appliances in Consumer Reports’ examinations costs only $650, while a similar stove and wall oven from the same company cost $1,650 put together. Wall ovens are generally less efficient than ovens in one-piece ranges.
The Scratch and Dent Section is worth a look. Appliance stores such as Home Depot and Sears have a section called “scratch & dent” that allows repaired appliances if damaged. You can purchase these units at half or even 60% of their original price. The flaws are usually so small that you wouldn’t notice them. Sometimes, you can get half the price due to scratch that will not be apparent once you install the appliance.
The Energy Guide Label is available. An appliance’s cost is not just about the price. It’s not enough to look at the price tag. You must also consider the long-term costs of the appliance being used year after year. Energy Star appliances are more expensive upfront but will often be worth it in the long term. To see how much your appliance should be costing you each year, look at the yellow “Energy Guide” label on the front. Add that number to the price tag and multiply it by 10 to get an estimate of how much your appliance will cost over ten years. This is how you compare appliances to determine which one is the most valuable.

Flooring

A new floor for a mid-range kitchen will cost between $1,800 and $2,800. But, again, prices vary depending on the material used. For example, vinyl sheets can be as low as $1,000, while hardwood, a popular choice in modern kitchens, costs about $4,000.

Here are some options for flooring that you can afford if your budget is tight.

Simply Clean It. Sometimes, all that is needed to make old tile floors look new again is a thorough cleaning. You can get it professionally cleaned for about $450 if it is so filthy that mopping doesn’t make an impact.
Look underneath. It is possible to do this: It might be worth removing old vinyl flooring from your kitchen and looking at the underneath. Sometimes you will find hardwood floors that are perfectly good and only need to be refinished, even if they’re buried beneath layers of vinyl cruddy. You can get this job done for as low as $600.
Use Peel-and-Stick Tile. It is easier to install peel-and-stick vinyl tiles than sheet vinyl. You can use the tiles to replace the flooring if it is not damaged. Home centers sell peel-and-stick tiles for $1 per square foot.
Paint the floor is possible to paint over vinyl flooring. It is possible to paint vinyl flooring. After cleaning the floor, lightly sand it with sandpaper. Apply primer to the floor and then paint it with “porch-and-floor” paint. To protect the surface, you could add one or two coats of water-based polyurethane. You can make your colors and add patterns such as stripes, checks, or stenciled designs. This method can transform a whole floor for around $100.

Lighting

It’s a double-edged sword: the fixtures look better, and the room is better lit.

Kitchen remodeling costs can be as high as 5% if you have new lighting. This is usually between $1,000 and $2,000 on average. These are some ways to get the best bang for your buck.

Do not be too bright. Too much light can make a room look smaller than it should, especially if you don’t have the option to dim it. Instead of lighting the entire room like a showroom floor and illuminating it all, focus the light on the most important areas, such as the counters where food preparation takes place.
Install your Under-Cabinet Lighting. Modern kitchens often include accent lighting underneath the cabinets. Instead of hiring an electrician to install them, you can buy lights that attach to your cabinet’s underside and plug them into your wall outlets. You can buy them at most home centers for $20 each. You can also find inexpensive battery-powered options.” Puck lights “Six lights for $30 – Stick them to the bottom of the cabinet.
Take into consideration outdoor fixtures. Check out some outdoor lighting for great deals on light fixtures. Good-looking light fixtures are available in many online stores. Pendant lights and sconces you can buy for as low as $100. These models are great for industrial or rustic-style kitchens.
Go Green. While you’re changing your lights, outfit them with some energy-efficient LED bulbs. These are now available in packs of four for a great price. Eight bulbs with a luminosity of 800 lumens for around $20 are brighter than a 60-watt incandescent and only use 8.5 watts. They will last a lot longer than traditional incandescents and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which means they will cost less to run over the bulb’s life.

Summary

Sometimes you can’t afford to remodel your kitchen from top to bottom. Instead of tackling the entire kitchen at once, you might consider remodeling it in stages. You might, for example, replace the flooring and get new countertops next year. Then, add a backsplash, lighting, and lighting the following year.

There are many benefits to completing a remodel in stages:

It saves you time and money at each stage.
It allows you to break down the work into smaller chunks and not let it consume your life for months.
It allows you to experiment with every small change and then see how it works, which will help you better understand your next steps.

Category: Home Design