8 Tips to Optimize Your Kitchen Remodeling Budget

Get an idea of the price of cabinets, granite, appliances, faucets, etc., and set a budget within your means. Then subtract 20 percent and make that your target.

One of the sad realities of any construction project is that the final cost will always be at least 20% higher than your estimated cost. This will give you the room to upgrade on some of the final touches should the budget allow it.

If you are trying to remodel your kitchen on a budget, here are some things to consider:

REFACING

You will be surprised at the cost savings of just doing a refacing job on the cabinets, countertops, pulls, and faucets—assuming your cabinets are structurally sound.

Refacing will give you the look and feel of a new kitchen. It may include changing the hinges and drawer slides. With all the latest technologies available, you can splurge on items such as full overlay hinges, self-closing drawer slides, as well as an array of accessories that will make your kitchen more functional.

PREFABRICATED GRANITE

With the influx of imported prefabricated granite comes an incredible bargain price on real natural granite.

This is not imitation granite, but granite mined from a quarry in one of these locations: Brazil, India, Italy, or China.

The granite was transported to China, polished, cut to the standard depth of a kitchen cabinet, and finished with a bull-nosed edge. When you see how much you will be saving, you won’t even remember what an Ogee edge looks like.

PRIORITIZE

Analyze what is really important to your current lifestyle and cooking habits.

Buying a $10,000 48-inch Viking range may not be the best investment-especially if you do not really do the type of cooking that merits a semi-professional range.

On the other hand, investing in a good range hood or adding a cabinet to maximize storage may be a better investment.

BE REALISTIC

Colors are fantastic, but an orange kitchen may not be an excellent long-range plan for your kitchen.

A safer option will be to stay with neutral colors and go wild with the knobs and pulls. If you get tired of them in a month or a year, it will be only a nominal investment to change them as long as you stay with standard pull sizes (3” 3.5” or 4”) or knobs.

CONSIDER LIGHTING

You will be amazed at how much difference the proper lighting will make. Recessed lighting is one of those things that will add a touch of class to any kitchen.

If you are tight on budget, consider thinking outside the box and look for other options, such as pendant lighting in the areas where you will be doing most of the work, you should also consider led rope lighting, you can install it under the toe kicks or above the upper cabinets

SELECT YOUR FAUCET VERY CAREFULLY

Go for function first—aesthetics second. With the selection available, you won’t have to compromise form for function.

BE CONSISTENT WITH THE REST OF THE HOUSE

Look at your home design and make sure there is some continuity.

MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE

Make all the changes you want on paper at the planning stage. Changing your mind and making changes once the project is underway may prove to be a costly proposition.

Corbels and cool gadgets may add enjoyment to your kitchen, but they may not give you a good return. Unless you are in a price range where the market demands an upscale look and is at par with the other homes in the neighborhood.