4 Ways To Save Money On Your Kitchen Remodel

Are you starting a kitchen remodeling project? A renovated kitchen can greatly increase your home's value in addition to making it more comfortable and functional. However, it can also be a costly project, especially if you don't plan effectively. It's easy for renovation projects to increase in scope, which can also increase costs. The best way to avoid this problem is to have a formal plan and budget in place. Here a few cost-saving tactics to include in your remodel plan:

Do the demolition yourself. Demo isn't one of the most expensive aspects of the job, but it's very often an easy one, especially if you're not opening up the walls. You can save money by taking out the cabinets yourself. That way, when your contractor arrives, the room is ready for him or her to start working. However, if you are opening up walls, you may want to save that portion of the demo for a professional. Demolition of walls and pipes can threaten the structural integrity of your home, so don't take that part of the job on if you're not sure what you're doing.

Use lookalikes. It's easy to get a high-dollar aesthetic for a fraction of the cost. Just look for lower-priced materials that replicate higher-cost alternatives. For example, instead of getting hardwood or tile, you can get linoleum that mimics tile or hardwood appearance. Very often, you can't even tell the difference between the two. Also, there are some cabinet makers that use eucalyptus as a lower-cost alternative to mahogany. Your contractor can probably find similar options that help you stay in budget.

Don't move the plumbing. It may be fun to completely re-imagine the layout of your kitchen. However, understand that moving your sink requires you to also move the pipes in the kitchen. That adds a whole new level of complexity to the job. You'll likely have to hire a plumber, and he or she may need to reroute pipes through your whole house and open up a number of walls in the process. Try to avoid changing the location of water fixtures at all costs.

Work with a contractor. It can be tempting to take on the job as a do-it-yourself project. You may think that you'll save a lot of money in the process. However, it's nearly certain that you will run into unexpected problems. Those issues can often lead to further work, time, and expense. If you don't know how to handle those problems, you could actually make the issue worse. Work with an experienced professional from the beginning to make sure your job stays in budget.

For more information, contact a kitchen remodeling contractor such as Apple Creek Homes & Renovations. He or she can review your plans and help you design a kitchen that stays in your budget.