If your ballpark budget projection or the initial project estimate for your kitchen renovation make it seem like your new dream kitchen will never be more thanjust a dream, don’t worry. There are lots of ways youcan save money on a kitchen remodel and keep costs down without sacrificing your vision.
Keep Your Current Kitchen Layout
Costs can balloon when you add windows, remove walls and relocate plumbing, gas or electric lines. Explore ways to make improvements without significant changes to your existing space.
Look for Affordable Alternatives
Seek out material options that give you the look you want for less:
- Instead of a kitchen cabinet door with a solid-wood center panel, look for a comparable style with a veneer center panel to cut cost without dramatically changing your design plan.
- You can get the appearance and character of hardwood floors in laminate, engineered hardwood or even tile.
- Design choices don’t have to be all or nothing. For instance, consider budget-friendly butcher block on the perimeter counters, but splurge for quartz on your feature kitchen island.
Consider Updates in Phases
Maybe your appliances are in good working order. Make that a future upgrade. Or add the tile backsplash next year. You won’t necessarily reduce your overall costs, but you’ll spread out your expenses over time.
Ship Smart
While it makes sense to have a room full of kitchen cabinets delivered directly to your home, you might save money if you have other materials, like fixtures and flooring, shipped to the store for you or your installer to pick up.
Do (Some of) It Yourself
If you’re up to the task, consider doing the demo work yourself. Or tackle the painting. Or tile your own backsplash after the kitchen is done. Saving on labor adds up quickly.
Time It Right
Contractors are generally busiest in the summer and the months leading up to the holidays. You may find a better deal on labor if you schedule your kitchen remodel work just after the new year.
Sell Your Old Stuff
If your kitchen cabinets and appliances are still in good working condition, carefully remove them to list for sale online. You may not fetch much, but you’ll offset some of your costs.
Our How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget (8 Tips) blog has more tips and ideas on how you can stretch your remodeling budget without giving up on your dream kitchen.
See how scrimping (or splurging) on various elements in your remodel plan changes your budget.
See how scrimping (or splurging) on various elements in your remodel plan changes your budget.
See how scrimping (or splurging) on various elements in your remodel plan changes your budget.
FAQs
Experts say that, as a rule of thumb, plan to spend between 5% to 15% of your home value on a kitchen renovation. If your home costs $300,000, your kitchen renovation budget range should fall between $15,000 and $45,000. Staying in this range will help you maximize the return on your investment.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel? ›
Believe it or not, the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel are the cabinets and by a large margin. Depending on the project, cabinets take up as much as 29% of the overall project cost. Labor, appliances and countertops are the second, third and fourth most expensive parts of a remodel, respectively.
Is $30,000 enough for a kitchen remodel? ›
Is $30,000 enough for a kitchen remodel? Yes, $30,000 is a reasonable budget for a standard, mid-range kitchen remodel that includes new flooring, cabinetry, and appliances—particularly if your kitchen is small.
How do people afford kitchen remodels? ›
There are many ways to pay for a kitchen remodel, but home equity loans are the most popular because they're tax deductible. Other options include refinancing, taking out a personal loan or taking a loan against a retirement plan.
Is $10,000 enough for kitchen remodel? ›
Absolutely! Smaller kitchens can see remodels ranging from $5,634 to $12,000. However, it's crucial to grasp the variables influencing a remodel's budgetary confines.
What is the best way to pay for a new kitchen? ›
A credit card can be a versatile option, allowing you to spread the cost of large purchases over a few months, or the chance for multiple expenses to accumulate over time. You can repay the balance each month over are payment period of your choice, so long as you make at least the minimum repayments each month.
How to negotiate a kitchen remodel? ›
Things to Negotiate when Remodeling a Kitchen
- Consider design fees and added markups. ...
- Update your appliances wisely. ...
- Cut some corners and do it yourself. ...
- Don't compromise on quality where it counts.
Installing new flooring can give a kitchen a fresh, modern look while also increasing the value of a property. According to realtor.com, homeowners can generally expect to recoup up to 80% of the cost of a new hardwood flooring installation when they sell.
How do you build a high-end kitchen on a budget? ›
If you only have a $5,000 budget, you're looking at a kitchen facelift: repainting the walls, replacing hardware and faucets, installing new lighting, changing fabric on window treatments and chairs/stools, plus updating accessories. If you choose wisely, even small changes like these can have a big impact.
How much should labor cost for a kitchen remodel? ›
Labor and Contractor Fees
Generally, laborers and contractors charge between $15,000 to $60,000 for completely remodeling an average-sized kitchen. You may also want an interior designer to help decide on the look and feel of your new kitchen. A designer can charge anywhere between $65-$250 per hour for a project.
Renovating your kitchen when on a budget
- DIY where possible. Learning a few basic DIY skills can help you save money on labour costs. ...
- Keep the layout the same. One of the biggest expenses for a kitchen renovation is making drastic changes to the layout. ...
- Use affordable kitchen materials. ...
- Consider open shelving.
Any home renovation project should be an investment and therefore needs to be treated as such. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends that when planning a remodel, homeowners should be budgeting about 15-20% of the value of their home.
How can I reduce the cost of my kitchen cabinets? ›
Use Stock or Semi-Custom Cabinets
If you're happy with stock sizes and styles, you can save money by purchasing them over semi-custom or custom cabinets. Semi-custom cabinets are a lower-cost alternative to custom cabinets. Semi-custom cabinets are much like stock cabinets: standard sizes, styles, and finishes.
How to cheaply renovate a kitchen? ›
Renovating your kitchen when on a budget
- Plan, plan, plan. ...
- DIY where possible. ...
- Get at least 3 quotes from different kitchen fitters. ...
- Keep the layout the same. ...
- Focus on essential upgrades. ...
- Consider refacing cabinets instead of replacing them. ...
- Use affordable kitchen materials.
20 Ways To Cut Home Renovation Costs
- Do Your Own Demo. If you have the tools and the time, consider doing demolition work on your own. ...
- Have a Budget. ...
- Avoid Debt. ...
- Develop Detailed Plan. ...
- Get Permits. ...
- Reuse Materials. ...
- Pick Up Your Own Materials. ...
- Do Your Own Painting.
Keep Your Current Kitchen Layout