Planning and budgeting for a kitchen remodel can be a lot of fun. It is something that people always want to do, whether they are doing it themselves or having Kitchen Remodeling to do it. However, just like any other type of project, you need to set realistic expectations. If you do not have the budget to remodel your entire kitchen, then don’t be too fussy about having just some cabinets replaced. That’s the lowest cost item in most cases.
Of course, if you have the budget for a complete kitchen renovation, then that’s great! You will probably end up replacing every inch of your kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, appliances, and more. But it doesn’t have to be that expensive. In fact, kitchen remodeling can be a very cost-effective long way as well as an enjoyable experience.
Before you get started, make sure that you have an accurate kitchen renovation cost ahead of time. You need to know how much the entire project will cost to stay within your budget. Also, knowing the total budget will help you better determine what you can afford to do and what you will have to do without. This will also allow you to estimate how long it will take to get the project completed.
Once you know your budget, find an average cost per square foot for renovations. The average cost per square foot for your area should give you a good starting point. This should include costs such as labor, taxes, and all other miscellaneous expenses. There is nothing worse than having a poorly planned kitchen renovation costing much more than the original construction budget.
Once you have determined your budget, start to calculate the project cost by first figuring the actual cost to remodel the space. Remodeling a kitchen comes with both financial costs and the opportunity cost of finding a new place to live. When you take the time to design and remodel your space, you are giving yourself a chance to move to a better location or change your career if you are looking. By leaving room in your budget for future projects, you are giving yourself a chance to keep your options open. On the flip side, by not allotting enough money for future projects you may be stuck with paying the original construction costs. Make sure that you are comfortable with the amount of money that you are allotting to this project so that you do not over-extend yourself financially.
After determining your budget, you can then move on to determining your total kitchen renovation cost by breaking it down into specific parts. The most expensive part of any kitchen renovation is going to be the kitchen walls and floors. Remodeling these two areas alone can be very costly. However, by keeping some tips in mind, you can keep these two areas less expensive while remodeling the rest of the area.
If you decide to hire a kitchen renovation contractor to handle the entire project, make sure that you sit down with him or her and discuss the pros and cons of the different options that are available. If you are going to hire an actual real estate agent to help you find houses to remodel, have them take a look around your current kitchen. This will give you an idea of pricing per area and the type of kitchen that you could potentially save money on when remodeling. The same goes if you are going to use a kitchen planner and/or software program to aid in the process of designing your kitchen.
One other way that you can reduce the overall cost of your kitchen remodeling is to remove the outdated kitchen cabinets and flooring. Although removal of the existing cabinets and flooring may be a daunting task, remember that you can always restore these items in your home. Not only will you be able to save a bundle on the cost of replacing the items, but you can also put them to work for you in other parts of the house. For example, by adding new cabinets and/or tiles to cabinets that are in good, working order, you can create more usable space in your kitchen. By simply changing a few fixtures, you can change the overall feel of your kitchen!