5 Ways to Cut Costs on Your Kitchen Remodel

It’s no secret that remodeling your kitchen comes at a price, and in many cases, a very high price. This is probably the number one reason why you have put off remodeling your kitchen for as long as you have. What if there were a way, or ways, that you could cut costs to actually be able to afford the kitchen of your dreams? Would you decide to remodel then?

Fortunately, there are ways that you can cut the costs on your kitchen remodel, and finally have the kitchen of your dreams to cook up whatever you desire – or your stomach says you desire. Keep reading to learn 5 simple ways to cut costs to remodel your kitchen.

1 – Stick to the Layout

One reason many homeowners run into a high-cost kitchen renovation is because they decide to gut the entire thing and start over. This could include tearing down walls or adding new walls to change the layout. Unfortunately, if you are looking to keep your kitchen remodel costs down, you will want to stick to the layout you already have. This also includes keeping sinks and large appliances in the same location, as the cost for plumbers and electricians can significantly damage your low budget.

2 – Do You REALLY Need New Cabinets?

When trying to conserve cash for a kitchen remodel, consider whether you actually need new cabinets or not. If they are sturdy, and still in good shape, you can save some money by revamping your current cabinets. Strip off the stain and either restain them or paint them a color to match your new kitchen. You can also opt for new, updated hardware, but make sure you choose a size that fits the existing holes.

If you feel you do need new cabinetry, and revamping is not for you, choose standard, or stock cabinets. You can often paint these or stain them to match your kitchen. Choosing custom cabinets often cost a lot more and take a much longer time to be ready, and prolonging the length of time you are in a remodeling phase can increase your budget.

3 – Choose Granite Countertops

While some may think that granite countertops are out of the question on a low-budget kitchen remodel, the exact opposite is true. The initial cost of granite may be slightly more than laminate or other countertop materials, but you gain several advantages with granite that you could not with other materials. First, granite is a long-term investment, which means that the countertops will last a lifetime, meaning you will not need to spend more money again and again to repair or replace the granite.

Secondly, granite countertops add value to your home. If you are planning on selling your home at some point, you can expect to receive back what you put into the countertop when the home is sold. In addition, homebuyers are more likely to purchase a home with granite countertops. Third, granite countertops add beauty to your home that no other countertop material can compare to.

4 – Flooring

When choosing flooring for your new kitchen, take your time and see what is out there. If you really want hardwood floors or stone tile, consider shopping at a ‘leftover’ store or a warehouse that has samples and scraps from other jobs leftover. In many cases, you can purchase different sizes and shapes of stone tiles at a discounted rate and create a unique pattern with the pieces you have. You can choose laminate flooring, but remember that stone tiles, such as ceramic, will be more durable in a kitchen atmosphere.

5 – Appliances

Unfortunately, there is no way to get around spending money on new appliances. However, you can recuperate some of those costs by choosing energy efficient appliances. In fact, you can save anywhere from $200 to $1,000 in energy costs over the lifetime of a new refrigerator just by switching out an older model. If you replace all of your older appliances, especially those that are more than 10 years old, you will definitely experience some changes in your energy bills. This includes dishwashers. In fact, new dishwashers can save up to 1,300 gallons of water during their lifetime, compared to your old dishwasher. So, while you are not immediately seeing the cost benefit, know that energy efficient appliances are putting money back into your pocket.

Take the time to research all angles of a kitchen remodel, and discover where you can save money. Use the tips provided here and talk to your contractor and granite specialty store about ways you can save even more. You deserve the kitchen of your dreams, no matter how big – or how small your budget is. With these money-saving tips, you can have that kitchen.