12 Ways to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel.

On average, a kitchen renovation runs between about $20,000 – $50,000 depending on how extensive the project is. But, if you plan and take on these cost-saving tips, you can really get more bang for your buck when remodeling your kitchen!

Tip #1 - Have a plan!

If you’re doing more than updating your cabinetry and replacing your appliances during your kitchen remodel, don’t try cut costs. Hire a professional to create a design plan. Hiring a designer saves you time and money in the long run, and their experience will help prevent you from making expensive errors.

Tip #2 - Prepare ahead of time

Once you’ve drawn up a plan for your kitchen remodel and selected a professional to work with, decide on absolutely everything you want in the kitchen. Have the materials on-site before you break out the sledgehammer. If you wait to select materials while the renovation is underway, you are more likely to run into issues with backorders. Often, homeowners who wait until the last minute to select materials are faced with a choice: pick a different item that is often pricier, or wait for their original choice to become available, at which point the professionals may have other jobs scheduled.

Tip #3 - Update cabinets with a fresh coat of white paint

One of the biggest expenses in any kitchen renovation is new cabinets. If yours are in good shape, though, consider working with what you have and just giving them a new look. Updating your cabinets with a coat of bright white paint goes a long way to modernize your kitchen and can save you time and money. Be sure to wash and prime the cabinets before painting them with a high-quality white semi-gloss paint. Then, select new hardware that will enhance the bright white effect.

Tip #4 - Scrap the cabinet doors, but keep the cabinets

If your cabinets are too outdated to be saved by even the snazziest coat of paint, consider keeping the cabinetry and scrapping just the doors. Especially if the structure is sound, it may be best for your timeline and budget to keep the existing cabinets and pick out a new set of doors. Take careful measurements of your existing cabinetry and find a style of door you like online or in a store. It will create a whole new look for a fraction of the price!

Tip #5 – Limit the backsplash

Although the backsplash is extremely important when it comes to keeping oil and food off of your walls, it also has a major impact on your kitchen’s overall aesthetic. In a kitchen renovation, the backsplash should be treated as a major design element. Of course, that means it can also be an extremely expensive component in your kitchen remodel. One way to cut down backsplash costs is to minimize the amount of backsplash used along the kitchen wall. If you finish the tile where the walls meet, you ensure that the tile is where it’s most visually and functionally important. It will allow you to budget for some amazing tile in the area behind the sink or stove and cut costs in the surrounding areas.

Tip #6 - Light it up

Bringing in more lighting is always a smart move in any renovation. In the kitchen, lighting and lighting fixtures can have a huge impact. Hang well-designed pendants for style and light and consider installing recessed lighting overhead to brighten areas where you will be cooking. Consider under-cabinet lighting, which can have a huge impact for a minimal expense.

Tip #7 - Work with the existing plumbing

A designer can help you determine how to make the most of your existing plumbing. Using the existing piping and utility layout will save you a huge amount of money. On average, it can cost about $5,000 each time you move appliances like a dishwasher, sink, or gas stove.

Tip #8 - Use remnant stone

Granite and solid-surface counters don’t have to break your bank! Go to granite supply yards and check out their remnants. Especially if you don’t have huge swaths of countertop to cover, you may find a very good deal.

Tip #10 - Find a scratch and dent

Check your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore to see if they are carrying anything you might be able to use in your remodel. You can find similar reuse places where contractors and builders donate or sell their overstock at a discount. It’s all about timing and luck, but you never know what you might find!

Tip #11 - Add architectural interest

You can get a high-end look if you are strategic when it comes to impact details. Try adding bun feet to free-standing cabinetry to give it a furniture-feel, or add paneling add visual interest to your island. Get creative with a focal point that is less expensive than mosaic tile!

Tip #12 - Restore existing flooring

If you already have hardwood flooring, consider just refinishing them. Even if you’re knocking down a wall, you can find matching boards to place in the area where the wall was. Once you’ve sanded down the flooring, you can stain the new and old pieces together.