How to remodel your kitchen on a budget

If you have big kitchen dreams and a small budget, you could be feeling very disappointed as you read the prices of kitchen renovations. The numbers go from $22,000 to more than $30,000 for a full-scale remodel with custom cabinets, granite counters, and latest appliances. But don’t give up just yet! There are a lot of ways to remodel your kitchen on a budget. First thing Upper Eastside movers would advise is patience, then you’ll need to turn on your creativity, and finally, in order to really stretch your financial power, you are going to have to use your own elbow grease. You could really make big changes for a few thousand bucks – or even a few hundred.

Introduction

In fact, when you remodel your kitchen on a budget, you can add value to your home. Most homeowners gain 90% to 100% back of what they spend on a kitchen remodel when they sell their property. That means if complete your project for half the price as you would with hiring a full-service remodeling expert, you can double your investment. Save today and get returns tomorrow – and you’ve got yourself a win-win situation! As an NYC moving company, we are going to best showcase strategies that can work for any kind of remodeling project, not just kitchens. Remodel your kitchen on a budget like a pro by saving on three main areas of your project: planning, materials, and labor.

The more of your old kitchen you can leave untouched, the less you’ll spend on the remodel.

Changing the layout will burn a hole through your pocket faster then you can type in – how to remodel your kitchen on a budget. Repositioning your kitchen sink requires re-plumbing, and relocating a range will require shifting gas and electric lines. These are major expenses, plus you should think twice before adding a lot of extra footage to the kitchen. Big kitchens don’t just cost more; they are harder to work in. Your kitchen “work triangle” – the space between the stove, fridge, and sink – should be between 4 and 9 feet.

The best way remodels your kitchen on a budget is to save on materials.

And how will you do that? Keep what you have whenever possible.

1. Shop Secondhand. You can find anything you need at bargain prices if you look for used pieces. You’d, of course, have to check these repurposed finds carefully to make sure they’re in pristine condition. But once in a while, people get lucky, and you can remodel your kitchen on a budget by shopping around.
2. Sell Your Old Stuff. Often, the pieces you tear out during demolition is still perfectly usable. Rather than just dumping it in a landfill, maybe you can find a buyer for it and use that cash towards the remodel.
3. Focus on Details. If your kitchen is just boring, but still perfectly functional, you can make a few simple and inexpensive decorations to successfully brighten it up. Change the faucet, update the lighting fixtures or the cabinet hardware. Even a new backsplash could possibly change the whole room.

Cabinets are the biggest DIY project if you want to remodel your kitchen on a budget

Cabinets are one of the biggest costs for a kitchen remodel. According to surveys, new cabinets can eat up as much as 40% of your total kitchen budget. That works out to over $8,600 for the average kitchen remodel.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to keep this cost down. Here are a few ideas:

1. Change the finish. If your old cabinets are in good shape, but they just don’t look good, you can save a bundle by repainting or refinishing them. Be careful, though; if your cabinets were installed before 1978, their current paint or finish may contain lead. In that case, refinishing is a job best left to a pro, which will cost you about $50 per door.
2. Reface the cabinets. You can replace all the doors and drawer fronts by buying some new veneers and apply them on the cabinet boxes. It costs more than simply repainting – you will pay $150 per cabinet door. But this solution gives you more options for design.
3. Replace the hardware. New knobs and pulls can cost anywhere from $2 to $20 apiece but will give your kitchen an instant update.
4. Or you opt for open shelving. Your kitchen will get a more open, airy look, which is especially stylish if the room is small or dark. Open shelves will also save you a lot of space that is so coveted in NYC. They are very cheap as well, so it will stretch your cabinet budget by a double.

The material used on your countertops can make or break your plan to remodel your kitchen on a budget

• Laminate is easy to install, and it comes in a great variety of styles. It has a big downside though: it scratches easily and is not as durable. Cost: $5 to $25 per square foot.
• Solid-surface counters, made from acrylic, polyester, or a blend of the two materials are stain-resistant. They can be sanded out when scratched. Cost: $15 to $50 per square foot.
• A butcher-block counter has a modern, earthy look that many people think is stylish, but it’s not resistant to stains and scratches. Cost: $20 to $60 per square foot.
• Natural granite counters can resist heat, cuts, and scratches. On the downside, it has to be sealed regularly to ensure its durability, and the corners can chip. Cost: $20 to $60 per square foot.
• Quartz composite, has the look and hardness of a natural stone slab, plus being the most durable counter type of all, successfully surviving the scratch, stain, and heat damage tests. Note that sometimes its sharp corners can chip. Cost: $20 to $60 per square foot.

Appliances

New appliances usually account for around 15% of the cost of a kitchen remodel. Here are some ways to keep the cost down:

• Don’t change all the appliances, just because you need to replace just one and you’re worried that the rest won’t match. With so many options out there, you can find a stylish and practical solution without much hassle. A trendy solution in case your fridge sticks out from the bunch is to paint it with chalkboard paint so it can be used as a message center.
• Experts say that mixing and matching brands to get the best performance units for your kitchen is the smart way to go. If, however, you really want a set, choose the one with the best range. Flaws in a fridge or microwave are easier to work around than an uneven cooking oven.