The WoW Style

You’ve probably fantasized about it before. A renovation that would pull your kitchen from the thing of decades past and transform it into the kitchen of your dreams. But with the cost of a kitchen renovation, it’s easy to understand the hesitation. The dream kitchen could blow a sizable hole in your wallet and maybe you’re just not ready to take the hit. While it’s true that kitchen renovations can be a lot, there are many things you can do to cut down the costs and make that dream renovation more achievable.

Here are10 things you can do to cut back on kitchen renovation costs:

1. Hire a certified, quality professional to do the work. When people start thinking of ways to cut back on the costs, one of the first things they usually think about is cutting the cost of labor. But opting for DIY or someone uncertified for a lower cost can actually cost you a lot more in the long run. The quality difference in the work will impact the value of your home. You may end up wasting your money on something is poorly done that you end up hating. Do things right the first time with a certified professional. The quality of the work will make the biggest increase in the value of your home.
   Be upfront with them about your desire to cut the cost where possible. They have larger access to supplies than you do and if they know you’re hunting for deals, they can assist you in seeking out the best value for your dollar. Honesty about your renovation budget is crucial.
   Plan before you purchase. If you see your dream fridge for a steal of a price, it may feel tempting to jump the gun and purchase it then, in the hopes of saving some money on your renovation. But fridges come in all shapes and sizes. The size of that refrigerator might not end up fitting into your final design. You should only begin purchasing materials when you know the measurements and theme of what you’re looking for.
   Shop around. It’s not true that the big box stores always have the best deal. There’s also a pretty good chance that the first store you visit won’t be the one with the best deal. If you compare prices you can be certain at the end of the day you’re getting the best deal.
   Shop online. Doing some of your shopping online is an easy way to shop around. You can compare the same products at different stores and their prices without having to run around from store to store. It’s also fairly common these days for stores to have exclusive deals online.
   Consider refacing or painting your cabinets over replacing them with brand new ones. Not only is this an eco-friendly option, but a fantastic way to save money.
   If your cabinets aren’t in good condition then refacing or painting is likely not an option for you. Alternatively, they could just not be the right size or fit for the kitchen you’re looking at. Another eco-friendly and cost-effective route is to seek out used materials. Seeking out used cabinets, appliances and fixtures on second-hand websites like Kijiji or Craigslist can be a great way to cut the costs of your budget while being eco-friendly.
   Compromise on the materials. Yes, everyone loves granite. Some view it as a staple in the modern kitchen. But it’s far from the only material option for your kitchen countertops. Good quality granite can be expensive while low-quality granite is more affordable but not durable. Other options, such as manufactured stone can look as nice as granite while being both durable and affordable. Don’t set your heart on one material, keep your options open.
   If you really can’t consider a different material, visit granite or marble galleries to see if they have any material leftover from other projects. You can buy this for a fraction of the price of what it was originally sold for. If they have enough for your renovation, this could be a huge win for your budget.
   Keep the layout of your kitchen the same. When you go blowing out walls, moving electrical and plumbing around you will quickly notice the cost of your renovation going up. Working with the layout you already have can drastically cut down on the cost of your renovation.

There are a plethora of ways to save money on your renovation. The key is to have an open mind and keep your options open. If you’re willing to make compromises, you could save a lot of money in the long run.