The Ultimate Guide to Renovating Your Kitchen on a Budget

Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy: www.pexels.com

"Does your kitchen need an update but your budget is limited? Try these tips. and you could make your dream kitchen a reality."

The high cost of materials and labor makes remodeling your kitchen among the most expensive home improvements you can make. The good news is that updating your kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive, and renovating your kitchen on a budget is possible.

It’s up to you, the homeowner, to control costs during a kitchen renovation. You want to save as much money as possible, but everyone else – workers, designers, architects, and suppliers – only care about making a profit. It’s not uncommon to work with someone who actively tries to squeeze your budget by adding extra costs, but you’ll likely still have to remind third parties to cut costs as your kitchen renovation progresses. The decisions you make when renovating must be under your control, which will help keep costs down.

Renovating your kitchen on a budget is possible

​Before beginning the process, you should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a kitchen remodel. Investing tens of thousands of dollars in remodeling would be foolish if you intend to relocate within the next few years. If you want to update the space and make it easier to use daily, however, remodeling the current kitchen makes the most sense. Renovating your kitchen on a budget is possible, and here are some valuable tips for scoring your goal:

• Remodel the existing cabinets instead of buying new ones
• Try to refurbish appliances rather than replace them
• Don’t change the kitchen’s current layout
• Do the work yourself if possible
• Install kitchen cabinets yourself

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"Renovating your kitchen on a budget is possible."

Refurbishing existing kitchen cabinets

​Changing cabinet doors is one of the cheapest and most noticeable methods of remodeling your kitchen. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint or updated appliances can do to revitalize a worn-out kitchen. Depending on your goals and budget, you can update your kitchen cabinet doors in a few different ways. Only the door itself will be modified. It assumes that your units (cabinets) are in good condition. Therefore, time and money are saved because it is mainly a cosmetic adjustment, not a structural one.

"You may be able to source kitchen cabinets and fittings stripped from old buildings."

Consider purchasing an old kitchen stripped from houses being demolished or renovated. Contact local demolition and building contractors to enquire after second-hand kitchens. Visit merchants that specialize in stocking used building materials. Keep an eye on local community Facebook groups. You never know when perfectly good items come available at little cost - or perhaps even free if you are willing to strip-out the old kitchen and transport it to your home.

Repairing existing kitchen appliances

There is an abundance of resources accessible now for fixing home cooking equipment. You can find solutions to most simple problems by exploring YouTube’s “how to” section. Many people can save money by fixing their appliances rather than hiring a professional or buying another one.
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If you want to save money, do it yourself. Dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, etc., are all examples of appliances that you can fix on your own. Whether a gadget can be fixed relies on the individual’s expertise and the nature of the malfunction. However, do-it-yourself methods are frequently preferable to spending more money.  

Photo by House Method on Unsplash

"Cleaning and fixing old kitchen appliances can give them a new lease of life."

​In the past, plenty of appliances were discarded after being removed during kitchen remodels. The good news is that this old-fashioned way of thinking is gradually dying away as more and more communities pass ordinances banning the outright disposal of electronic gadgets in landfills. ​

Don’t change the kitchen’s current layout

Changing the cooking area’s layout significantly will likely increase the total cost of the renovation. For instance, you’ll need plumbers if you want to relocate the pipes for your sink or dishwasher. To install new pipes, the workers will need to make holes in your walls, increasing the price of both the labor and the supplies.
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However, you can save a lot of money by sticking to the same basic kitchen structure while replacing individual components. In most cases, you won’t need to put in any additional utilities. 

Do some renovation work yourself

When doing home improvements yourself, you have to spend money only on supplies. Stripping out old cupboards and removing floor and wall tiles, painting, installing floors, installing wall tiles, etc., are all examples of tasks that you can handle yourself if you have little experience.

It’s easy to find workshops and presentations on DIY basics at neighborhood hardware stores and community centers. Additionally, the staff at most hardware stores are knowledgeable and willing to help with any questions. What’s more, many of these learning tools cost nothing. Additionally, you can find tutorials or tips for DIY projects online. Furthermore, experts have another valuable piece of advice in their pockets is storing items during renovation. Before taking significant undertakings, rent storage and place your items in a unit. 
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Time is an important consideration when weighing the benefits of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional. If you don’t need to rush the project, you can do most of the kitchen remodeling work yourself without having to pay someone.

However, a note of caution, electrical and gas installations require a qualified (and usually licensed) professional. Consider also using a qualified plumber for plumbing installations - a leaking pipe or blocked drain could cause you an expensive headache later, even resulting in damage to your new kitchen.

"you can do most of the kitchen remodeling work yourself without having to pay someone."

Install kitchen cabinets yourself

It is not always practical to redesign kitchen cabinets. Assuming they are in good structural condition, cabinets can be restored by refinishing and painting. If not, you will probably consider replacing your existing cabinets with new ones. 

You can buy readymade kitchens that come in kits or flatpack. Avoid labor costs by assembling the components yourself which is usually not difficult. However, if your kitchen has unusual angles, you may have trouble finding the right frame.
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Another cost-saving tip is buying pre-assembled cabinets, which can be convenient but frustrating if you’re not handy. Instead of assembling the cabinets in your home, they assemble them in a factory and then ship them. Many homeowners find the assembly process overwhelming. You can overcome it by purchasing pre-assembled cabinets.

"Avoid labor costs by assembling the kitchen cabinet components yourself, which is usually not difficult."

DIY projects and good planning make renovating your kitchen on a budget possible

You can save money when remodeling your kitchen by choosing cheaper paint, materials, and cheaper appliances. But try another approach. Take on some work, keep the existing layout of your kitchen, and refurbish existing appliances will make your renovation process less costly. Don’t hire a handyman for projects you can do yourself. Following these tips will help you renovate your kitchen on a budget. Your dream kitchen doesn't only have to be a dream, you can make it reality using these kitchen renovation tips. A renovated kitchen will add to the enjoyment of your home, while also adding value to your house.

Author

Mike Mason is a consultant at Spyder Moving company. Although he works in this company, he also shares a passion for DIY home projects. His years of expertise in this field enable him to assist in the smooth relocation of many customers’ properties. ​

Want more expert advice to help you design, build and renovate your home?

Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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