Spending time planning a kitchen remodel in detail is always worthwhile, but if you’re on a budget it’s absolutely critical! Here are some thoughts and ideas to help your dream kitchen come together without going over budget.
Decide What You Really Need
What does your dream kitchen include at its core? When you picture it in your mind, what is it that gives you the most joy to imagine? Don’t just think of objects, think of functionality.
For example, if you picture an image of family gathered around and helping cook a holiday feast, you’ll want to emphasize big countertops with lots of places for people to work, and as open a floor plan as you can manage.
On the other hand, if your house is the center of your social circle, and you find yourself hosting a lot of parties or game nights, seating is always an issue, so maybe an island with built-in bench seating would help keep everyone involved, and make your kitchen and dining area the social hub they should be.
If you’re a home chef on the other hand, your cooktop and oven may be the most critical component, so you’ll need to set aside a much larger portion of your budget for that, and your cabinets may need to be redesigned to accommodate a larger, professional-size range and a ventilation hood that can handle smoke from open-flame grilling.
Be Realistic
Everyone has a budget when it comes to kitchen remodeling, and budgets come in all sizes. Using RTA cabinets can help stretch your dollars, and they are always a good idea. Doing the work yourself on the other hand, is only going to save you money if you’re 100% confident you can get the job done. A lot of home owners think they can remodel their kitchen themselves, then wind up paying a contractor more to fix a botched job than it would have cost to hire someone to do it right in the first place.
Major vs. Minor Remodels
If your budget is $20,000, you need to understand that you should only be considering a minor remodel. This means you won’t be able to move major appliances or fixtures that need to be hooked up to plumbing, gas, or high-voltage electrical outlets. Rewiring and changing plumbing involves opening up walls, and that’s going to cost. Still, it’s possible to dramatically change the look and feel of a space without such drastic measures, by changing color, moving or removing some cabinetry, and changing lighting, so let our design specialists help you with ideas!
Don’t Expect to Recoup Costs in Home Value
We’re sorry to say it, but a kitchen remodel is not a profitable investment. While there are a few home remodeling projects that can increase the value of the home by more than the cost of the changes made, kitchen remodels aren’t one of them. Depending on your local market, and whether it’s a minor or major remodel, average cost recovery is somewhere between 40% and 70%. Don’t remodel thinking it’ll turn a profit—it won’t! Instead, remodel your kitchen to make it a space you’ll love to work, play, and socialize in!
