Kitchen renovations are one of the best investments homeowners can make. The value of your home will increase significantly with a well designed kitchen remodel. But this project can also require a large budget and may easily run over that initial figure.
Hiring a kitchen renovation contractor is a vital part of the process. The right contractor will guide you through the planning, design and construction of an ideal kitchen, shaving costs in the proper places and making wise investments in others. The best contractor will listen to your needs and wants, then use their own expertise to create a kitchen that fulfills them.
Planning is Essential
Hire your kitchen renovation contractor at the very beginning of the planning stages. You can use the knowledge of an experienced professional to help decide placement for appliances, cabinetry and countertop materials and electrical and plumbing systems.
You can save a lot of money while planning, making decisions based on priorities and the existing condition of your kitchen. Letting a contractor take a look at your current layout is a great idea, allowing them to make recommendations that will shrink your budget.
Get a Detailed Bid
Once the design is firmed up, ask your preferred contractor for a detailed bid or quotation. If they break down each portion of the job - labour, cabinetry and counters, appliances, plumbing and electrical and any other materials - you can have a better idea of where your money is going.
Your contractor may be able to help you find specific areas where money can be saved. Re-facing or refinishing your kitchen cabinets instead of completely replacing them can result in big savings. Certain flooring and counter options cost less than others. And the placement of your new appliances can significantly reduce plumbing and electricity costs.
Information and Disclosures
Be sure to hire a kitchen contractor that you can trust. He/she will need to keep you informed throughout the project, letting you in on surprises, necessary changes and other factors that have an effect on your budget.
All the elements of a kitchen remodel have the potential to change your budget figures. Even a small alteration can make a big difference. By staying on top of the situation and in regular contact with your contractor, you can make good choices and head off small problems before they become big troubles.
Simple Ways to Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel
Along with hiring a contractor you can trust that will assist you in planning and provide a detailed bid, there are some other ways to save money on a kitchen remodeling project.
- * keep appliances in the same location and eliminate the need to move gas, plumbing and electrical
- * shop for scratch and dent or open box appliances at discount prices
- * buy all of your new fixtures together and from the same manufacturer to obtain a bulk discount
- * consider a movable island instead of a permanent one
- * use a plain tile backsplash with hand-painted accent tiles, instead of a more ornate style
Discuss the cost saving possibilities with your contractor and plan for a kitchen renovation that will change your home without breaking the bank.
Posted by: TrustedPros
