Saving Money on Your Kitchen

Q. Kitchen renovations seem to be a really expensive process. Where do you suggest I cut back and save a few dollars?

A. If you are looking to save a few dollars on your kitchen renovation, you are not alone. It goes without saying that kitchen projects can become the most expensive part of your home. Below are few ways to cut back and save:

Plan: Kitchen renovations do not happen overnight. Take some time to plan before starting any work. What’s the hurry? Of course, your kitchen will look fabulous with glass cabinets, but those extras can wait. Just keep a wish list in mind as you plan for future renovations. Use your current list of all the necessary items needed using the estimates from professional designers and/or contractors. By sticking to a plan you will avoid being shocked by the price.

Do-It-Yourself: If you think you have skills, you can save yourself money by doing the demolition part yourself. Tearing out the cabinets and ripping up the flooring are easy tasks that can save you labor costs. Additionally, if you can handle the tasks of painting the walls and daily cleanup, you will be able to save some more. However, the headache of a DIY project can often be worth the cost to just let the experts handled it. I would definitely come in to one of our FREE seminars to get more DIY tips from our experts at ACo.

Appliances: If it’s possible, we advise you to re-use your current kitchen appliances. If your appliances are working in good condition, it does not make sense to spend thousands of dollars in buying new ones. Some appliances are worth the investment while others aren’t. For instance, a cooktop lasts longer, so it’s wise to spend money on a good quality cooktop. You can also cover your appliances with stainless steel contact paper to give them a fresh makeover.

Cabinetry: Consider buying the kitchen cabinetry carefully — the exciting accessories can tempt you to cross your budget. If your kitchen cabinets are in good shape and functioning well, instead of replacing them consider re-facing.  Painting and adding special hardware can surprisingly give a whole new look to your kitchen cabinetry.

Kitchen Sink: If you are planning to move plumbing, hold that thought. Moving plumbing or electric outlets can get quite expensive when it comes to remodeling the kitchen. Additionally, the high labor costs can disturb your budget, so keep the existing kitchen sink exactly where it is and move other fixtures instead.