7 Ways To Save On Kitchen Remodeling Costs

Updated December 12, 2014.

Confronted with the prospect of a $75,000 full-scale kitchen remodel project--contractors, designers, vacating the house for months--many homeowners start wondering if cheap remodels exist.

Yes.  Consider these tried-and-true secrets to cheap kitchen remodeling. If you apply all of these ideas, you can easily chop 40% or more from your kitchen remodeling bill.

1. Retain Kitchen Footprint

Most kitchens come in one of several pre-determined shapes; few kitchen designers ever do anything different, mainly because these shapes work so well. Whether the one-wall kitchen layout, corridor or galley, L-shape, U-shape, or so on, your existing kitchen layout probably works better than you may think. The problem may be more in the arrangement of your services within that shape than the shape itself.

2. Keep Appliances In Place or Move Modest Distances

Anything that involves moving plumbing, gas, or electrical will jack up your budget and timeline. This often works hand-in-hand with the concept of retaining the kitchen's footprint--but not always. You can retain the footprint, but still end up moving appliances all over the place. One interesting thing you will find, though, is that you can still move some appliances without moving their hook-up. For example, a dishwasher can usually be moved to the other side of a sink, because the washer's hook-ups actually come from that central point under the sink. Left or right? Doesn't really matter.

3. Flooring: Think "Functional"

Along with bathrooms, kitchens are one place where the flooring really needs to perform. I would rather have a mousy resilient or ceramic tile that does the job well than a high-end hardwood that soaks up spills and drains my budget. Vinyl sheet or tile are cheap and an easy DIY install. Do you really need that Tuscan marble? Whatever you do, make sure the flooring resists water - though it doesn't necessarily have to be waterproof. Laminate flooring can often be installed over existing flooring, obviating the need for demolition.

4. Install Off-the-Rack Cabinetry

Here's the really good news: stock kitchen cabinets are getting better and better all the time. No longer are you forced into a choice of three melamine-faced particle board cabinets. It's easy to find kitchen cabinetry from places like The Home Depot, Lowe's, and IKEA, in standard sizes. Far cheaper than custom cabinetry, and almost any general contractor or handyman can install it. Another fix that is even more "surface" is cabinet refacing.

5. Purchase Modest But Effective Countertops

Kitchen countertops can break your budget. Concrete, stainless steel, and stone can get pricey. Consider ceramic tile. Laminate countertops, long the mainstay of cheap kitchen remodeling, are looking better nowadays.

6. Avoid Electrical Heavy-Ups

A complete kitchen rewiring project can take up 25% or more of your budget. If your existing system is safe and can carry the current load, consider whether you really need those big, power-sucking appliances like double-ovens, super-sized electric ranges, and ancillary appliances like trash compactors.

7. Stay Away From Permits

It's not that permits cost a lot of money.  Rather, anything that requires a permit is a signal that this job has ratcheted up your costs.  Plumbing, electrical, and changing exterior walls all involve permits.

You should not avoid permitting where permitting is necessary. Instead, scale down your remodel to the point where permits are not required. 

For example, in my area, a permit is not needed to lay a tile floor (not would it be necessary in most areas).  But adding radiant heat below the tile triggers permitting.  It's like the domino effect.  Unless you are a confident amateur electrician--properly certified by your jurisdiction to perform amateur repairs--adding radiant heat usually triggers the need for an actual, licensed electrician.  . 

7 Ways To Save On Kitchen Remodeling Costs
Yes. Consider these tried-and-true secrets to cheap kitchen remodeling. If you apply all of these ideas, you can easily chop 40% or more from your kitchen

21 Ways to Save On Your Remodel | Money Saving Ideas ...
We canvassed dozens of industry pros to catalog ways you can wrestle your renovation costs back down to 21 Ways to Save On Your Remodel Kitchen Remodeling Guide;

20+ Ways To Save Money on Kitchen Remodel Costs | Kitchen ...
A kitchen remodel is on my bucket list; dont know if Ill ever get it done, but I like to imagine that someday.. Ann´s last blog post ..

Save on Kitchen Remodeling | Kitchen Remodeling Tips ...
Even a minor kitchen remodel now costs there are thrifty ways to they may have a remnant that will work in your kitchen. Thinner counters can save

Kitchen values, where to save - Consumer Reports Online
Here are seven ways to Easy ways to keep your kitchen-remodeling costs old kitchen for $5,000 or much less along with product-specific advice on ways to save.

Cost of a Kitchen Remodeling - Estimates and Prices Paid
How much a kitchen remodeling should cost. outlines ways to save money on remodeling projects. 10 Key Ways to Prepare for Extreme Snow

Ways to save money on a kitchen remodel - Managing Your Money
Ways to save money on a kitchen remodel the average cost of a kitchen remodeling is between $ final costs incurred in our kitchen remodel:

Kitchen remodel cost: Where to spend and how to save ...
kitchen remodel costs can get out of control #startTODAY 5 ways to whip your bathroom into Save: Sink. Although the kitchen sink sees tons of action,

6 ways to save on your Kitchen Remodel | Angies List
With the average cost of a kitchen remodel totaling $50,000, here are six tips for making the most of your remodeling budget 6 ways to save on your kitchen remodel

How to Save Money When Home Remodeling
How To Save on Home Remodeling Costs. Save It; 25 Ways Newlyweds Can Save Money; How to Renovate a Kitchen Save Money on Your Bathroom Renovation

Previous
Next Post »