How to Save on Kitchen Renovations
Kitchen renovation isn’t generally an inexpensive task. It cost a lot of money to remodel or renovate your kitchen. But following are the ways in which you can save money on kitchen renovation.
The first thing you want to renovate in your kitchen are those outdated cabinets. Instead of buying new cabinets which can be a lot heavy on your wallet, you can simply give them a facelift. It will make them look like new and save you money you were going to spend on new cabinets
Upgrade your kitchen sink:
It’s usual and even a pleasant change to replace kitchen items that you use regularly. Such as your kitchen sink and faucet. They are an easy swap if they are the same size as your old sink. But if you choose a different size then you will have to cut a piece from the countertop which will obviously cost money.
Mix countertop materials:
While saving money on renovation that doesn’t mean you have to keep it simple all the way. Mixing countertop materials is also a great idea. You can use materials in sections. A few section of granite or marble and then use laminate or other less expensive material for the rest of the area. The other way to go around this is to use expensive material on part of an island countertop and less expensive material on a work surface.
Types of cabinets:
When it comes to cabinets, we all know that custom build cabinets are very expensive. But another option that we can opt for is “ready to assemble” cabinets or semi-custom cabinets. Which can be half the cost of full custom build cabinets. Also when it comes to custom cabinets you also have to pay for their installments.
A Guide for Successful Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen remodelling projects can indeed be weary and tiresome where a group of strangers arrive at your home to invade your kitchen for making changes. Along with that, the renovation work brings all the noise and dust during the reconstruction of various areas of the kitchen. You might not imagine your life without your kitchen for a few days and might have to visit the nearest cafes for food but that’s okay! It is all worth it because, after the renovation, you will be presented with a new kitchen that is way better than your old one.
Determine a realistic budget-
Many people fantasize about the renovated kitchen but have no idea about the money associated with it for getting one. You might be watching reality shows on TV regarding kitchen renovations but believe such reality shows do not entirely reveal the costs. The best way to find and compare various projects is to visit different kitchen renovation sites where the contractors have published the costs and the type of material used.
Make functionality the priority-
Never sacrifice the functionality of your kitchen only to get the aesthetics. People usually spend a lot in making a place look elite; instead of making it more functional. Many a time people bid into getting an open space which makes no sense since the appliances are placed far from each other. An overly designed layout can hinder the usability of the food preparation area, making it challenging to cook and clean. Hence, go for a layout that will keep the work patterns simple.
Maximize storage options-
One of the main reasons for opting for the kitchen renovation is the storage issue. Everyone wants to maximize storage and it could be done by including cabinetry that uses most of the space, pantry racks, handy dividers for deep cabinets, mounting shelving units on blank wall space and stands for raw veggies, pots and pans. If possible, try to cover walls using ceiling touching cabinets.
Pick the right contractor-
Having the right kitchen renovator contractor can save you a lot of money on the project. People come to us with their horror stories of hiring a contractor who promised them the best kitchen only to disappear in between the project. Therefore, you need to find somebody who is experienced, professional and fulfil his commitment.
How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
One of the most common questions that we at Sweeten hear from homeowners is “How long does a kitchen renovation take?” This usually comes right after “How much is it going to cost?” (As part of its free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors
Typically, we suggest that after closing on your apartment, you allow three weeks to four months for the completion of your kitchen renovation, depending on complexity, the size of your space, and scope.
For example, if you are 1) not altering the footprint, 2) not changing or adding electrical or plumbing, and 3) using stock cabinetry and appliances, it’s reasonable to expect that your renovation will be in done in a few weeks. If, however, you are moving your kitchen from one part of your home to another, requiring both city permits as well as board approvals, and using imported custom cabinets—you should give it several months. As you’ll see, the wide range is due to the fact that there can be many moving parts and multiple parties involved.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE
While the attention is usually on the most visible construction phase, a lot needs to happen before picking up that sledgehammer. Here, the details on each box that needs to be ticked before you break ground on the project.
Close on your property (1-3 months)
While some homeowners already own, a significant number of homeowners are in contract or preparing to close on a property when they begin the process of planning a renovation. The best advice is that you should wait until you have closed on the property, with keys in hand, before doing anything. If you’re in a hurry—at least wait until you’ve signed the contract before beginning the design process.
Post your project (1-3 days)
First things first: Post your project to Sweeten and begin soliciting bids. On the Sweeten site, add some details about the space you want to renovate, your inspiration photos (optional but useful for us finding you contractors who have done similar styles), and any other information that would help Sweeten match you with the right contractors. You’ll receive 3-5 matches within three days, with links to check out contractors’ profiles online. Now’s your chance to take a look at reviews from clients and photos of their past projects to see whether they might be a good fit.
Key Benefits You’ll See When You Tackle A Kitchen Remodel This Year
When it comes to home improvement, remodeling offers the ultimate touch. When it comes to the execution of remodeling, there is a need for proper planning to ensure that they are successful and that they are done to your expectations. This is because remodels can be rather complex. Nevertheless, when done in the right way, remodeling a home is very worthwhile and will give the building a new lease of life.
Increased value of a home
A kitchen remodel requires an extensive amount of work to be done. However, it is one that can guarantee the fastest return on investment by increasing the value of the home. This comes in handy when it comes to selling the house. A remodeled kitchen is highly attractive to potential buyers and, as a result, your home will have a higher value and the process will be much faster when it is time to sell.
Improved functionality
During a kitchen remodel, there are a number of things that can be done to improve on the functionality of the kitchen. For instance, extra cabinets can be fitted depending on a homeowner’s needs and depending on the current trends. Also, provisions can be made to accommodate new generation technology such as the latest cooktops. While doing the remodel, there are also several other options such as knocking walls and flooring to create more counter space. In addition, lighting and more electrical outlets can be factored in during kitchen remodeling. All this will assist with the functionality of your kitchen.
Improve on safety
In a home, the kitchen is the area where most of the safety concerns lie. This is due to the heat, gas, and electrical appliance all in a single room. As a result, safety and associated precautions should bear significant priority. By simply upgrading of the old appliances, you can considerably improve kitchen safety as well as have a design that will ease movement around the kitchen.
Energy efficiency
With the ever-increasing costs of energy and increased awareness of environmental degradation due to high energy uses from nonrenewable sources, it is important to have energy efficient appliances. A kitchen remodel presents an exciting opportunity to upgrade kitchen appliances. Due to the improvement in developing these appliances, they are very efficient in terms of energy use. This is very important in an attempt to be energy efficient, and it also goes a long way in ensuring reduced power bills, which is a win-win situation. Other than the appliances, the new lighting that can be incorporated during remodeling can also help to save energy.
Renovating the kitchen: where to start?
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the whole family gathers for meals, for entertaining, doing homework and paperwork, so it’s important to make it user-friendly for the entire household. Clever cabinets, spacious work surfaces, practical layout, intelligent equipment and storage: make functionality your goal. Here’s the recipe to help you design an ultra-functional kitchen, one that combines practicality and good taste.
Meeting everyone’s needs
To maximize your investment and make the most of your kitchen’s new, functional features, it is crucial to plan carefully.
To plan your project, you will need to:
Establish the household’s needs by thinking about everyone’s lifestyles
Set a budget
The family’s different needs and lifestyles
There are several factors to consider when working out what you want from your kitchen. These include:
The size of the household and everyone’s specific needs. Plan for sufficient space so everyone can circulate with ease. Take each person’s unique features into consideration: wheelchair, reduced mobility, young chefs wanting to cook up a storm, etc. Such needs can be catered for by applying a few universal design rules; for example, by adjusting the height of counters and the kickplate space under the base cabinets.
Activities and lifestyle: family dinners, lunches grabbed on the run, homework, bill-paying, meal preparation – these can be hectic moments in the daily routine. Accommodating everyone so that they can carry on their pursuits certainly makes life easier.
Eating habits: got an amateur baker or pastry chef in the family? Consider fitting a purpose-designed surface into the worktop, such as marble. If you make your own preserves, expand the pantry and fit high shelves. If you love to entertain, increase the seating at the counter and plan a “bar” corner.
Kitchen equipment and appliances: every kitchen is home to an abundance of items requiring storage, from small kitchen appliances to table linen, cookware, tableware and utensils. Minimize the to-and-fro between cabinets by creating storage areas close to the food preparation area.
Setting a budget
Your kitchen renovation budget should provide for using quality materials as well as the cost of installing everything, of course. Your budget must include estimates for each aspect of the project:
Plumbing
Electricity
Cabinets and countertops
Sinks and faucets
Paint, trim and detailing
Flooring
Appliances
Lighting
Furniture: table, a comfy seat, benches, chairs, desk, etc.
Storage systems to make the most of cabinet space
Decoration and accessories
Some major or specialized work will call for qualified professional help, which can sometimes swell the costs considerably. Now is the time to budget for it.
Optimizing the space
To optimize your kitchen space, plan it so that several family members can use the kitchen at the same time. Currently, the trend is towards setting up work stations or areas, following a natural sequence, with each area equipped for a particular task.
A food preparation area including a work surface to prepare food and use various utensils. This area should be near a sink for rinsing food, and close to the stove. This is also the most practical area for a second sink, if you’re planning one. Drawers for knives, utensils, bowls and small kitchen aids also belong here. If you’re thinking of installing a butcher’s block or a compact refrigerator for your often-used ingredients, the food prep area is the perfect place.
A clean-up and storage area including the main sink and the dishwasher, storage for cookware and utensils, and a cupboard for cleaning products. Don’t forget a space for recycling bins, the trash can and a bin for compostable scraps.
A cooking area designed around the stove, the oven and the microwave oven. The surrounding countertops should be made of heat-resistant materials, such as tile or stone, suitable for hot dishes. Make sure cooking utensils and equipment, spices and condiments are stored close at hand.
Any other area which makes the everyday easier: an office recess with a charging station, a computer, a filing system, telephone, notebook, etc. Or how about a bread-making area with a stone countertop, a corner equipped with a bar where your guests can enjoy a pre-dinner drink, or a dinette? It’s all about you and your lifestyle
