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- Plan Ahead of Time
Failure to plan can cost both time and money on your project or even limit your options on the type of materials you can purchase. Planning ahead of time allows you to have a general idea of how your kitchen will look like, how much you need to invest in your kitchen remodel and when you expect to complete the project. Most experts recommend starting your flooring, followed by the cabinets, countertop, backsplash, molding and finally painting. If you are planning to tackle all these areas in bits then it is still fine as long as you plan and do it in the right order.
- Get Multiple Estimates
It is always advisable to look around and compare various estimates from different contractors. The same rule applies when purchasing different materials for your remodeling project. Feel free to ask many questions regarding the materials a contractor recommends. Get to know how you can reduce the cost of purchasing a particular material without sacrificing quality. Reputable contractors will always have high rates but there is always room for negotiations so that you can settle on what fits your budget.
- DIY Portions of the Kitchen Makeover
If you are an enthusiast and do not mind getting your hands dirty then you can figure out pieces of the job that you can do yourself and or do not require specialized expertise. It helps to cut down on the overall costs if you could have hired a professional. For instance, demolition is a simple project that you can do by yourself as long as you stay away from any electric or plumbing lines. Another task involves removing cabinets or other pieces of furniture to do the painting at the end of the job. However, it is very important to save the hard tasks for the experts to avoid unnecessary expenses of redoing poorly installed fixtures and fittings.
- Use the Existing Kitchen Layout
Changing the position of your kitchen appliances, fixtures or fittings can have a significant impact on your overall budget. Not only is plumbing expensive but it is also time-consuming and may attract other unforeseen costs that were never included in your budget. Moving appliances can scale up your budget especially if it involves tearing up portions of the wall and re-sheet rocking afterward. It is important to leave your appliances in one place if their current positions are good and do not interfere with your operations in the kitchen.
- Consider Alternative Countertop Materials
There are a variety of countertop materials to choose from such as recyclable products, solid surfaces, stone, tile, concrete and more. Although granite remains a popular choice for kitchen countertops, it can stretch any budget over the top at $50 to $100 or more per square foot that is installed. However, combining two different countertop materials can cut the cost in half. For instance, you can cover the outside perimeter with a butcher block and use granite for the center surface of your countertop. Alternatively, you can consider laminate if you like the look of stone but cannot afford the cost of granite.
- Reface Existing Cabinets
This is one of the most inexpensive yet dramatic makeovers of a kitchen remodel. If your cabinet doors, drawers and handles are still in good shape then there is no need to have them replaced. Instead, you can save a lot of money by resurfacing your cabinets, as they still give a refreshingly new look to your entire kitchen décor. Purchasing new cabinets can be expensive and you may end up sacrificing on quality if you choose to cut back on your budget.
The amount of money you expect to spend on renovating your kitchen will depend on your location, selected materials, hired personnel, and the amount of change you have planned about your dream kitchen. It is important to plan well beforehand to avoid delays or shortage of materials because of financial problems.
