31 May Best Ways to Save on Kitchen Remodel Costs

Kitchen remodels are exciting projects, but they can end up being a big investment of time and money. During a big remodel project, you should be focused on building your perfect kitchen—not stressed out about how much it costs! To help you have a less stressful and more affordable kitchen remodel experience, here are some tips to save on kitchen remodel cost:

1. Do it yourself.

Though you probably shouldn’t attempt to do everything yourself, performing some of the smaller tasks, like painting or some installations, can be a good way to help reduce costs on a big project. You may want to talk to friends or family who have completed remodeling projects in the past for advice on what’s best to do on your own and what you should leave to the professionals.

Another great area to work on yourself is décor. With all of the practical things to consider in a home renovation project, like countertops, appliances, and storage, it’s easy to forget about décor or leave it to think about once everything else is done. However, interior decorating can end up costing you a lot, especially after you’ve just finished a major renovation. So, if you’d like to save a little on the finishing touches, consider using your kids’ artwork, family photos, and other more personal items to decorate. This will also help you create a space that truly reflects you.

2. Shop around for estimates and get multiple opinions.

Finding out what different contractors, architects, builders, and other professionals will charge for the work you need them to do can give you a much better idea of how much each part will cost you, especially if you’re a first-time remodeler. Shopping around for estimates can help you understand the market without the anxiety of being overcharged or taken advantage of. Knowing multiple prices from multiple firms and individuals can also help you negotiate a better price with the experts you decide to hire.

Similarly, if you know people who have recently remodeled, get recommendations from them about experts to talk to and potentially hire. This can be a good way to help you hire contractors, builders, and other professionals you can trust.

3. Reuse or sell your old appliances.

Don’t think you need to buy everything new to have a brand-new kitchen. If your current appliances or materials are in good working condition and will fit in with your new layout and décor, save or reuse them. Or if you decide you don’t want your current appliances, but they still work, you can sell them to save some money.

4. Create an informed, realistic plan.

Talk with experts who work with remodels for a living, such as an architect and contractor, to help plan out your remodel and create a timeline of when things need to be done and decisions need to be made. For example, make sure you pick out appliances before creating a plan with an architect, so you know the dimensions of everything you want to use and can create the best design. That way, you also won’t have to scramble with last-minute changes to make sure everything fits together, and you’ll avoid incurring extra costs for different appliances, rush orders, downtime, or even a new layout.