The average kitchen remodel costs around $20,000-$50,000. But we have some tips to help you get more bang for your buck and create a beautiful kitchen on a budget!
1. Hire a professional.
Sounds like a waste of money, right? Wrong. Hiring a professional designer will save you time and money in the long run. Without one, people tend to make expensive mistakes and end up throwing money away to fix them. A professional will help you create a plan that will carry out all steps in the correct and most efficient way.
2. Have all materials on site before you start.
Before taking a sledgehammer to your laminate countertops, choose all of the new elements of your kitchen and have them on hand. Making decisions during the renovation process tends to rack up the bills. This is usually due to a backordered item forcing homeowners to go with a pricier option, or tradespeople charging for extra time and work while waiting for the backordered item to come in.
3. Consider white paint for old cabinets.
If your cabinets are in good shape, give them a new look with a bright white coat of paint. The white paint will easily hide the outdated design, all while saving you money. Wash your cabinets, then prime and paint with high-quality white semi-gloss. Finally, add new hardware to enhance the look. If your cabinets are too outdated to be concealed by paint, Quality Home Center offers a full line of beautiful and affordable cabinetry in a variety of styles.
4. Limit your backsplash coverage.
Instead of driving costs up by covering all of your kitchen walls with pricey backsplash, just tile one wall. Choose the wall that is most visually and functionally appropriate. If the budget allows, you can get fancier with the tile you choose for directly behind your stove or sink, and go cheaper with the remaining tile for the wall around it.
5. Include ample lighting.
Don’t skimp on lighting in the kitchen. For both functionality and design purposes, lighting in the kitchen is important. Hang stylish pendants, and make sure overhead lighting is bright and concentrated in the cook’s areas. Additionally, under-cabinet lighting is a cheap way to add an expensive effect.
6. Don’t mess with plumbing.
Another reason to hire a professional: keeping the plumbing where it is will save you tons. A professional designer can help you create a new look using the existing piping and utility layout. It can cost around $5,000 each time you move appliances!
7. Search for remnant stone for countertops.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is how the saying goes! Many companies that produce countertops end up with leftover pieces from previous jobs. Those pieces of quartz, granite and marble end up in “remnant yards,” which you are able to purchase from for a fraction of the cost. Although these slabs are often limited in size, they are a great way to save money for smaller kitchens or island tops. Merlino Marble and Granite offers these savings right in our own backyard. Check out their remnant stone material for high-quality countertops at clearance prices!
8. Visit your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Cape May Court House offers everything from décor to building materials to kitchen cabinets. All items have been donated but are in excellent condition. Pop in and take a look around. You might get lucky and find a like-new appliance at a deep discount.
9. Don’t spend on your floors.
If you already have wood floors but they aren’t in the best condition, just refinish them. Simply sand the existing pieces down and stain them. If you’re replacing vinyl or tile floors, a less-expensive option to consider is sealed cork flooring (which is easier on your feet and back in addition to your wallet!). If you choose to save even more money by refinishing or replacing the floors yourself, Advantage Rental & Sales has a variety of home improvement departments with everything you need to complete this project.
