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Save Money: Kitchen Renovation
Many homeowners dream of a dramatic kitchen makeover with new cabinets, appliances, and granite countertops. Unfortunately, most of these dreams are never realized. The reason? Cost -or the fear of cost. A kitchen renovation is a serious investment. Depending on the size and value of your home, you might pay 10-25% of your home's value for a high-quality kitchen remodeling project. However, with strategic thinking about space, practical design, and alternative materials, homeowners can limit costs without sacrificing their dream.
Below we offer five money-saving kitchen renovation tips. Remember: with kitchen remodeling, every little decision can add cost. But if you consistently apply our five money-saving tips, you might just find yourself paying a fraction of the price for your dream kitchen makeover.
1. Emphasize Efficiency, Not SizeSome homeowners mistakenly believe that a kitchen renovation must necessarily increase the size of the kitchen. Increasing a kitchen's size can certainly improve efficiency and traffic flow, but additional space requires additional labor - and additional costs. You might not need a total kitchen transformation. Instead of demolishing a wall, choose to restructure your kitchen for maximum efficiency by replacing bulky shelves with pullout drawers or equipping new cabinets with dividers, lazy Susans, or racks for spices, canned goods, and other non-perishables.
2. Buy Quality Appliances, Not Super-Expensive AppliancesFor a serious cook, a top-notch range, like an Aga or Viking, might be a serious kitchen renovation necessity, but for most ordinary homeowners, a high-quality mid-range brand, like GE, is certainly sufficient. A Viking Range, which can cost up to $8,000, can certainly add a sleek, luxurious look to your kitchen remodeling project, but many mid-level ranges offer similar materials, like stainless steel, with perfectly acceptable functionality, at a fraction of the price. Ditto the refrigerator. You might be tempted to buy a super-elegant Electrolux refrigerator at $3000, but a GE refrigerator can mimic the look and functionality of an Electrolux without the expensive price tag.
3. Do Not Move the Kitchen SinkFor some ambitious homeowners, the old cliche, "everything but the kitchen sink," becomes a kitchen remodeling mantra! Some people just want to change everything. But the cliche actually offers some very good advice: change everything but the kitchen sink. A good kitchen renovation can certainly include an upgraded kitchen sink or dishwasher, but the extra expenses arrive when homeowners wish to move the kitchen sink or dishwasher, requiring additional work from a certified plumber. Remember: the less work for the plumber, the less cost for the homeowner.
4. Buy Laminate FlooringHardwood floor is popular for a reason: it is durable and exceptionally beautiful. However, homeowners can purchase high-quality laminate flooring that mimics the durability and beauty of a hardwood floor for half the price. Laminate flooring might even be a better option for kitchen remodeling as it is easier to clean and maintain. Hardwood floor might be the latest kitchen renovation trend, but remember, it's important not to be seduced by trends. Laminate floor is a perfect choice for your kitchen remodeling project.
5. Consult an Experienced Kitchen Remodeling CompanyAnother recent trend is D.Y.I., and many homeowners with extra time and expertise have performed beautiful kitchen remodeling projects without the help of a contractor or kitchen remodeling company. Before you try a D.Y.I. kitchen renovation project, however, you should ask yourself: do I actually have extra time and expertise?
Without the proper time and/or knowledge, you might begin an extensive kitchen remodeling project only to realize, too late, that you're in over your head. A high quality kitchen remodeling company, like Enterprise Home Remodeling, can save you the hassle and additional expense of a botched project.
A high-quality kitchen remodeling company will also never charge for an estimate. Most private kitchen remodeling companies include installation costs in the project. Also, you won't have to worry about the expense of product delivery, or other unanticipated costs that may arise during your project. Finally, with a full-service kitchen remodeling company, your project can be as simple as choosing your kitchen layout and the color and finish of your cabinetry! The savings in stress and time alone might prove to be your most worthwhile money-saving tip!