How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget

How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget

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You’ve invested your hard earned savings and you finally bought your first home. You are moving into your very own place and you over the moon. There’s just one problem. The kitchen is terrible. You know it needed work when you bought the place but you overlooked it because you figured you’d figure it out later. Well, it’s later and you need to do something about it. Here are some things to consider to make sure you do it right without breaking the bank.

Plan Ahead

Ever heard the idea of cheap, fast and good? Well, it doesn’t exist. In the design world that’s like saying I want a high-quality kitchen at the lowest price, yesterday. It ain’t happenin’!  You get to pick TWO. Want cabinets that are inexpensive right now? Go to Ikea. Need quality but the deadline is in a week? You are going to pay a pretty penny for it. The best plan for acquiring quality goods at the right price point know this it’s not happening anytime soon. Plan ahead and make sure your schedule adjusts to the products you want and can afford.

Hire a Designer

Are you kidding? A designer? I just said I was on a budget! Yes, that’s right. Hire a designer. A designer can help you find the right material for you at a price that doesn’t make your wallet scream. You will spend hours and hours scrolling the internet and hitting up Home Depot again because you think this is the only place you can afford a wood floor. Designers know the hole in the wall places that have good deals with gorgeous selections. They also get trade discounts which you get to take advantage of. Save yourself the time because time is money and often the money you save offsets the costs of hiring them in the first place.

Re-Think Appliances

Appliances can make or break the budget. The type of appliance you get can make all the difference. Using a range as opposed to a cooktop + oven combo means you are buying one appliance instead of two. See your receipt getting smaller? Refrigerators are one of the biggest mistakes I see clients make. If you want that super flush built-in look, like oh is this your second pantry..? Nope, surprise that’s my fridge! That’s called a built-in and the price tag for that TYPE of appliance is higher, regardless of the brand. If you need to drop down to a “counter-depth” you will notice a relief in your pocketbook but be aware of what you are getting. Although it seems like these are just as good as built-ins, the name is misleading. These babies will be sticking out at least four inches beyond the counter-depth. How are you to know all this? Did you see the part above about hiring a designer?

Don’t Skimp on Install


I know...it’s tempting… You received 3 different bids from contractors and they are all over $100k. You never thought it was going to be that crazy expensive. On some miracle, Joe Smoe comes into the picture and he’s telling you it’s going to be $60k. Let me tell you, there is a reason that number is so low! Either he is not including half of what the other guys are OR he’s not very good. Contractors will come in all the time with low prices and do a hack job. It can be very expensive later to have crummy work re-done. Plus all of the items he didn’t include in the original quote are add-ons later. Now you paid the same price for a crappy job. Do your research. Make sure the installers you hire have a good track record and make sure you know exactly what is included and what is NOT included.

Renovating a kitchen on a budget can be challenging. Remember this is one of the biggest investments you will make on your home and it WILL increase the value. Think long term and don’t rush it. You got this.

For more advice, reach out to us at www.zekedesignworks.com.