Want a good kitchen remodeling experience? Make a budget and stick to it. Studies have proven that by sticking to a budget you will be far more satisfied with your remodel while getting the best return on your investment. Staying within a budget can be difficult but it doesn't have to be with these simple tips.
Set A Realistic Budget While setting a realistic budget and sticking to it seems like an easy task, it's actually harder than you think. There are so many factors to consider, from specific costs to labor and installation. The average homeowner will spend anywhere from $20,000 for an average remodel all the way up to $80,000 for an upscale remodel. So firstly, make a plan of what you want to spend. Start with a list of priorities from what your kitchen definitely needs to the smaller things that are not as important. The cost of big ticket items may seem obvious, such as new cabinetry, countertops, and appliances, but keep in mind the small stuff quickly adds up too. If you plan to sell your home soon, view your remodel as an improvement and consider only the items that will help you get the most return on your investment. Also consider the scale of your neighborhood's homes and improve your kitchen accordingly so you don't lose money on your investment.
Choose The Right Designer It's important to select a contractor and design team based on good reputation, not the lowest bid. A good design team will help not only work with you to find the most affordable way to achieve your dream kitchen, they will also do things right the first time. At Bray & Scarff, we provide you with prestigious, experienced designers in each of our stores to guide you through every step of the remodeling process, from concept and budget to installation and execution. Visit a store near you to find your favorite kitchen elements and explore through photos of our finished projects. Remember, it's far better to have things done right than done on the cheap since poor-quality work will inevitably result in additional costs immediately or down the road.
Set Aside A Contingency/Emergency Allowance If you've ever attempted a home project, you know there will inevitably be at least one unexpected issue or problem that requires an immediate solution which usually means an additional cost. Even with the best of contractors and laid out plans, no one knows what's actually hiding within your kitchen's walls or floor. You may pull out an old dishwasher and discover a small leak has rotted the floor, or tear through a wall to discover outdated electrical wiring. If you can, leave some wiggle room of about 20% of your kitchen remodel budget for unexpected costs.
Don't Change Your Mind (Too Much) As you start to see your kitchen come together, it's very likely you'll change your mind about at least one item in your kitchen remodel, whether it be as minute as the color of your backsplash to something extreme like the layout of your kitchen. You may decide instead of the granite you originally budgeted for you'd really like to have quartz, but keep in mind that type of upgrade can cost thousands of dollars. As tempting as it is to make sudden changes, try to keep within the original plan to avoid unexpected costs and even delays which can also cost more money.
Avoid The Extras As we mentioned earlier, the little stuff can add up quickly. You may realize an appliance garage would be a convenient addition or that crown-moulding would look really nice. It may be tempting to add these little updates but if you didn't include them in your original budget, you may be discouraged to discover they can send you over your budget without adding actual value to your home's value.
More Tips Recognize additional costs caused directly or indirectly from your kitchen remodel. Maybe you're not able to keep up with cooking during your remodel so you're eating out more or maybe you're not even staying on site but at a hotel instead. Consider these extra costs when budgeting for your kitchen remodel. Also, using a spreadsheet to track your spending will increase your odds of sticking to your budget. Include each item of your remodel with a column for your budget, the actual cost, and the difference so you can easily recognize where you stand on any given day. Schedule an appointment with one of our kitchen design experts and get started on your remodel today!
