How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget

The kitchen is the room in most homes that is the center for daily life, we drink coffee, complete daily chores, eat dinner, review for school and so many other activities in our kitchen. Yet, in so many homes the kitchen is not warm and welcoming but rather outdated and in need of some serious attention. But we have all heard that kitchens are the most expensive rooms to remodel, so here are a few steps to help you keep this remodeling project on budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Think outside the box about the look you want your kitchen to have. The more open to ideas you are, the more money you will be able to save as you go through the remodeling process.

2. Consider what you can do yourself, realistically, versus what you need to pay a contractor to do. Classes are offered at some large retail stores and attending these may help you understand what you are getting into with the different aspects of a kitchen remodeling project.

3. Determine exactly how much your budget is. You do not want to find yourself adding dollars here and there as you go along.

4. Search out sales, discontinued items, floor models and other less costly means of purchasing your fixtures, flooring, counter tops, cabinets and appliances.

5. Consider a more artsy look to your kitchen such as mismatched tile for a back splash or different solid color laminates for different sections of your counter tops. These add style, but can also save you a lot of money since stores may offer a better price on what is left in stock or already discontinued.

6. Consider alternatives to replacing your cabinets, since this can be a budget breaker for many remodeling projects. Refinishing cabinets that are structurally sound is a more economic option. Also consider replacing the hardware of the cabinets to give them a fresh look.

7. Consider alternate light fixtures as part of your kitchen remodeling project. Better lighting can often brighten a room and give it a fresh look and by combining this with a fresh coat of paint your kitchen can have a high cost look within your budget.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember it is cheaper to have a contractor do the work from beginning to end, than to bring in a contractor in an emergency to fix a do it yourself project gone wrong.
• Search newspaper ads and online sites such as craigslist for contractors or homeowners that are looking to sell gently used appliances, extra flooring and other items that you could use in your remodeling project.

[MarieSteris]

on 1/6/2009 Great tips! I am thinking about remodeling my kitchen and I definately will be trying to do it myself with as much savings as possible. Thanks for the ideas!

[jamaclassics]

on 10/24/2007 Check out Restore, 519 Memorial Drive S.E., Atlanta GA, The Atlanta Salvage Outlet at 1034 Howell Mill Rd and Eugenia's Antique Hardware at 5370 Peachtree Road in Chamblee GA, and the many Habitat for Humanity Resale outlets. We found a one piece top flush toilet for $25!