5 Tips For Saving On Kitchen Remodel Costs

culled from:bankingsense.com

When you think of your kitchen, you often think of a warm place where the entire family gathers multiple times a day. Kitchens are often the most used room in the house and because of this, they quickly become well worn. If it is time for a kitchen remodel and you are working on a tight budget, use these five tips to help you stretch your funds while getting the kitchen of your dreams.

1. Make a Plan and Stick to It

Those who are remodeling on a budget often do not leave room for mistakes. During a remodel, lack of planning can cause costly halts in reconstruction that put a severe drain on an already tight budget. It is absolutely essential for anyone looking to remodel their kitchen to have the process thoroughly planned in advance. The most important steps of a remodel occur well before the first nail is pulled out. In order to stay within your remodeling budget, you must have a minutely detailed plan that you do not deviate from if possible. Map out a realistic timeline, calculate the quantity and price of materials and find the right contractors and crew well in advance of the start of the remodel.

2. Do It Yourself

Many of the tasks that need to be done during a kitchen remodel are simple to learn from Internet videos or a friend who has experience. Look over your remodel plan and find the tasks that require minimal skills. These may include things like painting, retiling or laying new flooring. Taking the time to learn these home improvement skills will save a lot of money on a kitchen remodel, and you will gain valuable knowledge in the process.

3. Go for Faux

Many of the trendiest materials to use in a kitchen are expensive luxury goods such as heart of pine flooring, granite countertops and slate tiles. These materials may look amazing in a kitchen, but they are often out of the price range of a homeowner who is remodeling on a budget. The good news is that due to modern manufacturing techniques, getting the look of these pricey materials can be done for a fraction of the cost. There are realistic looking alternatives to most flooring, tile and counter options. Choose synthetic materials and faux finishes to get the look you want on a shoestring budget.

4. Hire a Professional for Specialty Jobs

While hiring more people to help you complete your remodel may seem a waste of money, there are certain steps of the process that are best left to the professionals. Completing as much of the process as you can yourself will help keep your budget under control, but knowing which specialty jobs are beyond your skill level will save you money in the long run. Nothing destroys a remodeling budget as quickly as the enthusiastic homeowner who believes they can tackle the plumbing. Now you have spent money on parts and materials, and you have to hire a plumber to fix what you messed up and complete the original project! Be sure to stay realistic about your skills.

5. Reuse As Much as Possible

Just because you are remodeling your kitchen does not mean that you have to purchase everything brand new. Often, existing features in your kitchen can be reused and fit into the new look with minimal updating. If your kitchen cabinets are in good shape, sanding and refinishing them is often enough to make them look like new. Appliances, light fixtures and even some flooring are often salvageable and will look great in the new kitchen. Reusing items you already have will greatly extend your budget.

Trimming costs where you can and splurging when necessary is a foolproof way to remodel a kitchen with even the smallest of budgets.