The cost of labor and materials makes kitchen remodels one of the more expensive areas of the house. The good news is that a budget remodel of the kitchen is possible.

It is ultimately your responsibility as a homeowner to reduce the costs of your remodeling project. As you try to maximize savings, all of the other parties are also trying to maximize profits. This includes contractors, subcontractors and architects. Although it is rare to have to deal with someone who deliberately tries to blow a hole in your budget, by adding extra costs to the project, you will still need to remind them to stick to the budget. It’s much easier to manage the cost of remodeling if you choose the right choices.

Five tips for reducing your kitchen renovation budget

• Replace Cabinets, but Refresh Them Instead

  

  All projects involving the removal and replacement of materials are generally more expensive than those that use most of their original materials. This is evident in kitchen cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets are expensive, particularly if they need to be custom-made for your space. There are eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to update your old cabinets.

  • Paint: A classic way to update kitchen cabinets is by painting them. Sanding, priming and painting cabinets can take a lot of time, depending on the number of cabinets. It’s easy enough for beginners to achieve good results.
  • Refacing While more expensive than painting, refacing involves adding a new veneer on the outside of cabinet boxes as well as replacing the doors and drawers. It is not easy to do this yourself as it requires tools, and knowledge that many DIYers lack. It’s cheaper than buying all new cabinets and will change the look of your kitchen.
  • Hardware: Consider updating the hardware in addition to the cabinet finish. Modern knobs and handles can make old cabinets look brand new.
  • ShelvingInstead buying new cabinets or refinishing old ones, install some open shelving. Shelves can be matched to the style of your kitchen, giving it a more airy look.

  Kitchen Renovation Costs: 6 Tips to Reduce them

• Refurbishing Appliances

  

  In the past, many kitchen appliances were thrown away during a remodel. This antiquated way of thinking is slowly fading away, thanks to municipalities that have banned the direct disposal of appliances in landfills.

  Information about repairing kitchen appliances is now readily available. There’s also a vibrant online marketplace for service parts. Many homeowners can now refurbish their appliances themselves, instead of paying a professional to do it or buying a new appliance.

  Some appliances you can fix yourself include:

  • Dishwasher
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Water heater
  • Water Softener
  • Garbage disposal

  It depends on how skilled you are and what’s wrong with the appliance. It’s worth a try to do it yourself before spending more money.

  WARNING

  Always be safe when working with appliances. Make sure they are unplugged, and that the water supply and drain lines have been disconnected. Be on the lookout for appliances that could tip. Dishwashers, in particular, have a tendency for them to tilt forward after they are removed from their bays at the base of the cabinets. Also, refrigerators tend to be top-heavy.

   

• Keep the same kitchen layout

  

  A dramatic change in the layout of the kitchen will increase the cost. To move plumbing, such as for the refrigerator, dishwasher or sink, plumbers are needed. The plumbers will have to drill holes into your walls in order to install new pipes. This means that the materials and labor costs will be higher.

  It is much more cost effective to keep your kitchen layout the same and update the components within it. In most cases, you won’t need to install new electrical or plumbing. If you want, you can also keep the existing flooring. If you want to change the layout of your home, you will have to deal gaps in the floor. You can still achieve a completely new look and feel for the space.

  Galley-style kitchens or hallway kitchens are often so small that they don’t allow for much flexibility in terms of layout, unless you’re willing to spend a large amount of money to make major structural changes to your home. One wall kitchen layouts offer a bit more flexibility due to their open side. Addition of a island can be a good way to increase prep space and storage in this situation without having to make costly layout changes.

   

• You can do some work yourself

  

  Home remodeling projects are a great way to save money on materials and labor. These are some remodeling projects for beginners to intermediates.

  • Interior Painting
  • Tiling
  • Flooring installation
  • Change outlets and lights
  • Hanging drywall
  • Installing baseboards, trim and other elements

  Hardware stores and local community colleges offer classes and demonstrations on how to do common home projects. Hardware store employees will often be available to provide advice and guidance on projects and products. These educational resources are usually free.

  Time is also a factor that should be considered when choosing between hiring a pro and doing it yourself. If you are on a strict time schedule, it is best to hire a professional team. However, if you’re able to take your time, you can complete a lot of the work.