Kitchen Design
Remodeling Guides
7 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
Discover key areas where you can economize and still get the kitchen of your dreams
When you’re investing in a home remodeling project, you want to make sure the results not only please you but add value to your home and save you money. Never is that more true than in a kitchen remodel, where costs can add up quickly. To keep expenses in line and still get the kitchen of your dreams, consider a few of my favorite ways to get the most out of a tight budget.
2. Go With Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets
The biggest cost in a kitchen remodel is new cabinets. The most expensive option is custom, in which cabinetry is designed, built and installed to specifically fit your space. Exotic woods, ornate details and period styles add to the cost and delivery time but result in a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
If your budget doesn’t allow for custom, but you need new cabinets, ready-to-assemble cabinetry is a good option. Ready-to-assemble or semicustom cabinets can sometimes be half the cost of custom, depending on the material, style and cost of installation. Semicustom cabinets are selected from existing designs and are prefabricated offsite in standard sizes, with limited size, style, material and finish options.
In-stock cabinets are for customers who want to grab their cabinets right off the shelf and get going. These stock cabinets come in standard sizes, shapes and colors. Since the cabinet dimensions are not based on your kitchen,fillers may be required to make the cabinets fit. These cabinets are very affordable for remodelers on a budget.
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The biggest cost in a kitchen remodel is new cabinets. The most expensive option is custom, in which cabinetry is designed, built and installed to specifically fit your space. Exotic woods, ornate details and period styles add to the cost and delivery time but result in a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
If your budget doesn’t allow for custom, but you need new cabinets, ready-to-assemble cabinetry is a good option. Ready-to-assemble or semicustom cabinets can sometimes be half the cost of custom, depending on the material, style and cost of installation. Semicustom cabinets are selected from existing designs and are prefabricated offsite in standard sizes, with limited size, style, material and finish options.
In-stock cabinets are for customers who want to grab their cabinets right off the shelf and get going. These stock cabinets come in standard sizes, shapes and colors. Since the cabinet dimensions are not based on your kitchen,fillers may be required to make the cabinets fit. These cabinets are very affordable for remodelers on a budget.
Find a general contractor on Houzz
3. Consider Alternative Countertop Materials
There are numerous countertops to choose from — stones, engineered products, solid surfaces, concrete, tile, wood, laminate and recycled products. Depending on quality, thickness and installation, some stones can push a budget remodel over the top. For savings, consider a less expensive option. Or use two different surfaces for the perimeter and island, with one being a lower-cost option such as wood.
If you like the look of an expensive stone such as marble but not the price tag, consider a less-pricey engineered quartz countertop in a pattern that mimics the look of stone. For more savings, consider a solid surface material or laminate.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
There are numerous countertops to choose from — stones, engineered products, solid surfaces, concrete, tile, wood, laminate and recycled products. Depending on quality, thickness and installation, some stones can push a budget remodel over the top. For savings, consider a less expensive option. Or use two different surfaces for the perimeter and island, with one being a lower-cost option such as wood.
If you like the look of an expensive stone such as marble but not the price tag, consider a less-pricey engineered quartz countertop in a pattern that mimics the look of stone. For more savings, consider a solid surface material or laminate.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
4. Keep Appliances Where They Are
If your plan is to get new cabinets, think about keeping your appliances where they are. Moving the mechanics and electrical for appliances can be costly, not to mention the ceiling on the floor below and the walls may need to be cut into to expose the mechanicals. These are costs that many homeowners don’t think about when planning a kitchen remodel.
Keeping the appliances where they are will save you thousands of dollars. More often than not, moving an appliance 1 foot costs as much as moving it 6 feet, depending on where the mechanicals are located.
Read more about this kitchen
If your plan is to get new cabinets, think about keeping your appliances where they are. Moving the mechanics and electrical for appliances can be costly, not to mention the ceiling on the floor below and the walls may need to be cut into to expose the mechanicals. These are costs that many homeowners don’t think about when planning a kitchen remodel.
Keeping the appliances where they are will save you thousands of dollars. More often than not, moving an appliance 1 foot costs as much as moving it 6 feet, depending on where the mechanicals are located.
Read more about this kitchen
5. Look at Different Island Options
Instead of using cabinets for your kitchen island, think of repurposing a piece of furniture. An old table or a dresser is a great alternative to bring unique character into the space. Keep an eye on salvage stores and estate sales.
Tip: When looking for a piece, make sure it is countertop height (36 inches).
Instead of using cabinets for your kitchen island, think of repurposing a piece of furniture. An old table or a dresser is a great alternative to bring unique character into the space. Keep an eye on salvage stores and estate sales.
Tip: When looking for a piece, make sure it is countertop height (36 inches).
6. Choose Open Shelving
Open shelving used in select areas creates interest in a space as well as saves money. Using salvaged wood or painted planks for shelving is a cost-effective and functional option for displaying everyday dishes (items that don’t spend enough time on the shelf to accumulate dust).
While it may be tempting to do away with fitted cabinets altogether, they’re still valuable and efficient for storage, particularly if you have a small kitchen and a lot to pack into it.
Open shelving used in select areas creates interest in a space as well as saves money. Using salvaged wood or painted planks for shelving is a cost-effective and functional option for displaying everyday dishes (items that don’t spend enough time on the shelf to accumulate dust).
While it may be tempting to do away with fitted cabinets altogether, they’re still valuable and efficient for storage, particularly if you have a small kitchen and a lot to pack into it.
7. Opt for a Cutout Rather Than Removing a Wall
Many homeowners want to open the space between the kitchen and living spaces to create an open floor plan. When removing a wall, there are many things to consider. Is it load bearing? Does it have venting, water pipes or electrical running through it, which will need to be rerouted? After removing a wall, the ceiling, other walls and floor may need to be cut into and repaired.
A less expensive option to consider is a cutout. Not only does it open up a room, but it can provide extra countertop space and an area for additional seating. You will still need to check for mechanics and plumbing, but the floor and ceiling will not need to be repaired, which will save you money.
Your turn: Please share your tips for saving money on a kitchen remodel in the Comments.
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Many homeowners want to open the space between the kitchen and living spaces to create an open floor plan. When removing a wall, there are many things to consider. Is it load bearing? Does it have venting, water pipes or electrical running through it, which will need to be rerouted? After removing a wall, the ceiling, other walls and floor may need to be cut into and repaired.
A less expensive option to consider is a cutout. Not only does it open up a room, but it can provide extra countertop space and an area for additional seating. You will still need to check for mechanics and plumbing, but the floor and ceiling will not need to be repaired, which will save you money.
Your turn: Please share your tips for saving money on a kitchen remodel in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more design and remodeling stories
Browse millions of photos for ideas
Find a home professional near you
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If your cabinets are good quality and you like their style, refacing or repainting is a great option. It’s amazing how color can transform a kitchen and a few coats of paint can give life to a once-drab space. Though refacing and painting are cost effective, make sure you take the steps needed to get a beautiful finish.
Read more about this kitchen