A
kitchen remodel is attainable with just about any budget. But
before you actually start crunching numbers and coming up with
figures, do your homework so you can be realistic about what you
can and can’t afford. Visit a showroom first to find out
what’s available and get an idea of prices. Also talk with
a professional contractor early on to get a clear sense of the
full scope of the work that may be involved. That puts you in
a good position to make informed decisions and choices.
The
cost of the renovation work will depend on the condition of the
existing structure, the extent of the work to be done and local
labor and material prices, such as your cabinetry. The products
and materials you choose will have the greatest impact on your
new kitchen’s price tag. Typically, cabinets account for
the largest portion of the total cost. Installation and labor
costs (which vary by geography) represent the next biggest chunk,
followed by the costs of other major design elements (countertops,
flooring, appliances, sinks and faucets).
A
good budget checklist will help you to develop a realistic cost
for the project before you start. You will want to factor in a
contingency amount that’s roughly 10-20 percent of your ideal
budget. Later, if there’s a feature you forgot or a luxury
you’d like to indulge, you won’t feel so bad for going
over.
In
addition to the hard and soft costs associated with your cabinetry,
some other potential expenses that factor into the overall scope
of the project are:
-
Design changes
-
Structural considerations
-
Fixtures and appliances
-
Floor and wall finishes
-
Plumbing and electrical problemss
-
Permit and inspection costs
-
Waste disposal
-
Meal costs incurred while kitchen is under construction
It
may be possible to reduce the cost of renovation by considering
the following:
-
Avoiding structural changes
-
Removing/installing cabinetry yourself
-
Postponing some improvements to a later time
-
Doing your own flooring, painting and/or wallpapering
-
Reusing existing appliances
