In London, Ohio, the cost of kitchen renovation averages between $13,287 and $37,556, and it can rise higher depending on how extensive the project is. So to give your kitchen a new facelift, you may end up spending a lot of money depending on how extensive the project is.
However, you can do more with less if you think outside the box. All you need is research, creativity, consultation, and some patience as you weigh options.
The following are the ways to renovate your kitchen on a budget in London Ohio:
1. Plan Well
You need to be patient enough to think through every step you wish to take during the renovation. So before you even engage the contractor, it is crucial you get a clear idea of what you really want for your kitchen. Consider each scenario and what it is likely to cost. Check designs, price of the new appliances you need, etc., and think through each.
What are the things in your kitchen you really want to be changed, and what can you still put up with? Should you really relocate your kitchen sink, considering that the relocation comes with extra plumbing costs? Maybe your cabinets only need repainting, not demolition. At the end of the day, you get a clearer idea of what you really need to do.
Once you have figured what you should do, it is then the time to engage contractors
2. Get Different Quotes
With your patience still getting the better of you, try different contractors and clearly explain what you want to be done. You will get different quotations, out of which you can select one that serves your needs best at the lowest, pocket-friendly budget.
The truth is, some contractors over-quote, so if you are not careful (as some people), you can pay almost double what you should. If you are on a budget, you should ask questions as to why this and that cost this much. Once you get the details, you can decide what and what is not necessary, or can be reduced.
However, ensure you get a well-meaning contractor; your desire to cut costs should not lure you into a fake renovator who will do a shoddy job for you, only to claim you wanted a cheap job, and that’s one. Some contractors like to cut costs for their benefit but at your expense.
Therefore, do not go for the lowest bidder merely because he is the cheapest — do background checks to ensure he can effectively meet your needs. Take the time to personally explore their recent works plus customer feedback.
3. Take Charge of the Materials
Once you get an ideal contractor, it is time to buy the renovation materials. If you take charge of the process, while also consulting the contractor, you can save extra money.
If you can get second-hand, trendy floor tiles in good condition, why not grab them? Shop around, trying to get the materials for less. You need patience, remember. There are second-hand stores in London, Ohio where you can get other decent materials at a lower price. You can as well try Craigslist or eBay.
Of course, you need to be extra keen on second-hand items. Again, do not over-do it to the point all the materials you have bought are second-hand.
Another trick behind cutting costs on materials is to keep or reuse what you have whenever possible. Replace only worn-out appliances in your kitchen. The sink may be old, but if the faucet is reusable, why not keep it? You can laminate the current countertop to facelift it instead of buying a new one.
The cabinets gobble up 30% of the kitchen renovation budget, did you know? That’s why if you are going to cut costs, you better start with how you deal with the cabinets. Why not just repaint them for now instead of buying and installing new ones?
Choose the right paint that is going to give the outdated cabinets a trendy taste. White paint can provide your aging cabinets with a new, fresh look.
Do not remodel everything for the sake of it, as may happen when one has money to throw away. A few changes could be all you need to freshen up your kitchen.
Lastly, this is something that resonates well with what the Aurora Kitchen Remodeling company recommends as well, resell some of the old materials you are removing. It is common to take them to the landfill. They may be unfit anymore for your kitchen, but some buyers can still find them useful. That old fridge, countertop, stove, or grill could fetch you enough money to help offset part of the renovation cost.
4. Kick In Your DIY Skills
These days everyone is eager to become a DIY (Do It Yourself) enthusiast. If you are one, or hope to be, kitchen remodeling could offer you an opportunity to showcase your talent after you have watched those YouTube DIY clips.
There are always one or two things you can do yourself instead of spending. Kitchen remodeling will require the services of plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and so forth. Between these, you should find something to do on your own. Do you really need someone to get rid of the debris for you at $500?
You can also do the demolition part yourself; you need no special skills to tear down or take down the cabinets, if you are up to it. You can also remove the aged tiles, faucet, etc., without waiting for the contractor. This will give you the reason to ask for a discount here and there.
However, for your own safety, do not attempt to do a task beyond your abilities for the sake of cost cutting because you may have to spend more on hospital bills. For instance, the hammer may land right on your thumb after you miss the mark. Do not be over-enthusiastic about DIY because you may have to hire a professional to re-do the work.
5. Remodel in Stages
You can as well remodel your kitchen in stages if you are low on budget. You can change the cabinets today, change the sink two or three months later, repaint a couple of months later, and so forth.
It may take more time than required, but at least your pocket won’t feel the pinch. One significant advantage is that you will save money for each stage instead of taking a loan to do the renovation at once.
Again, you get to live with each new change to see the effect before moving to the next chunk. This helps you get a better of how to cut corners in the next stage.
Conclusion
Do not compromise on style, regardless of which corner you cut to save costs. Never let cost-cutting consume you to the point you lose sight of what you originally wanted. Do not come across as stingy in the eyes of your family or neighbors by the way you slip through short cuts to cheaply get what they had to spend close to a fortune to get.