5 Top Tips for Kitchen Renovations on a Budget

Everyone knows that kitchen renovations are among the most expensive upgrades that can be made in a home. Of course, most people also know that this upgrade is always worth its money for the return on investment and the increased home value. Even though the average kitchen remodel costs as much as $20K, you can make big changes on a budget as small as $5,000 if you know what moves to make.

Choose the Most Important Upgrades

Every renovation project has priorities. What is the most outdated or bothersome part of your kitchen? Conversely, which features are you eager to upgrade because of the newer products or features available today? Put your kitchen renovation budget into a priority list so that you can make swift decisions about what to change and what to leave when the time comes.

Repaint Cabinets Instead of Replacing

One of the easiest ways to make a drastic change in any space is also one of the most affordable renovations: paint. If you can’t afford to replace a full set of kitchen cabinets, consider re-painting or re-staining them to give them new life. For less than $100, you can also give them all new hardware to add to the new look without spending thousands on brand new cupboards.

Shop Outlets, Closeouts, Surplus, and Overstocks

Home improvement stores, both physical and online, have a special section of overstocks and mis-orders from various renovation and construction projects. Here, you can find everything from cabinets and light fixtures to flooring, plumbing, and more. Shop all the closeouts and clearance sections first, if you’re less concerned about specific materials or finishes. You can save thousands and get more than you think, even on a tight budget.

Do Your Own Demo Work

The average labour cost for demolition work is $75 per hour in Australia. A full kitchen demolition takes 10-20 hours, on average, so you’ll easily save yourself $750-$1,500 if you can gut the kitchen yourself. Just be careful when doing so that you don’t damage any major fixtures, utility connections, or walls and floors that you can’t afford to repair or replace.

Sell Old Appliances and Fixtures

One of the best things that you can do for your budget is to take advantage of the resources that you have already on hand. If your old appliances, counters, cabinets, light fixtures, or other items that you’re replacing still have some life left in them, consider selling them and putting the profits toward your renovation budget. Even if you only get $50 for that old dishwasher, it’s more than you would have gotten by letting the contractors or appliance deliverers haul it away for you.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to the variety of services and DIY home improvement solutions today, there is no shortage of ways to get cheaper kitchen renovations. You just have to know what you want and where to find the savings. Finally, note that if you are working with a reputable kitchen contractor, they should be able to help you get the ideal renovation within your budget, rather than trying to talk you into more than you can afford.

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