If your home is in dire need of a kitchen remodel, then, by all means, you should do it. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to endure working in a kitchen that’s about to fall apart.
Of course, we understand that this will come at a cost. So, to help you set a budget for this to remodel, you can follow these tips. You can also use these steps for other things such as a bathroom remodel and such.
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Why Save on a Kitchen Remodel
Some may assume that they should put a majority of their budget into the kitchen. However, you’ll be surprised to find that the money doesn’t go into renovations alone. The most expensive parts of the kitchen are the appliances.
When budgeting a kitchen remodel, the first thing you should know is that the investment must go into fire safety and ventilation. After that, you can decide on materials that may not be as expensive but are just as durable and beautiful as luxury choices.
Here is a checklist for kitchen remodeling to guide you:
- Walls and Firewalls
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Window Placements
- Counter Placement
- Tiles/Flooring
- Appliance Nooks
- Shelves and Drawers
- Doors
- Fixtures
- Gadgets (If necessary)
- Heating
- Airconditioning
With a checklist like this, you will at least know where to start. After that, you can start thinking about appliances and kitchen utensils.
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Set a Budget and Stick to It
This is the foundation of good budgeting skills. It’s not just a matter of setting a budget, it’s more about keeping in step with it.
Some people who allot a budget for a project also allot a certain unlimited allowance to it. This is why they overshoot their budget and end up spending more than what they initially set.
When you are setting a budget for the remodel, set it in stone and don’t budge from it unless it’s completely inevitable. You can further do this by making a list and printing it out. Seeing it printed on paper will help you prioritize and follow it to the T.
Know the Cost and Break It Down
For you to stick to the budget, you have to have proper knowledge of how much the entire project will cost.
This is not time to do any guesswork. You should know how much you’re spending. That way, you know where all your budget is going and how much of it is left.
Nobody wants to be surprised at the cost of their project, especially if that cost means going over your set budget and tapping into other sources of finances.
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Set Aside Something for Emergency
This is not an additional cost. This should be part of your total budget. This can range from fifteen to twenty percent of the total budget.
It may seem like a large sum of money but this is just so that you won’t be too stressed out when an emergency comes up or something was missed during the quotation process.
Besides, if all goes well, you can move the remaining emergency fund to your savings or for something else entirely.
Make a List of Priorities
Knowing what to do first is what remodeling experts from hnamydesign.com will always say. This is because it accomplishes the hard tasks first and keeps everything organized.
Work just goes better when the tasks are organized. Since you are on a budget, start with the most urgent and important renovation project like the walls, ceiling, and ventilation.
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Understand the Terms of Payment
If you have a contractor, make sure you know all the details of how you will pay them. This prevents you from encountering any hidden costs that you might probably not include in your final budget and may surprise you at the end of the remodeling project.
Consider Where You Will Live During Renovation
This will come at a cost if you will live somewhere else when renovating. Even if you’ll spend the time with a relative, you will still need to set a budget for it. You will still need to pay for food and even for transportation because you will need to check the progress of the renovation.
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Lower the Cost by Doing Something Yourself
It can be as small as installing the door or cabinets. Even these things can help save some money on your end. Plus, it will also be a fun activity for your family.
Another advantage of this is that you get to learn how to do repairs on housework so that if something comes up, you can estimate if you can do it yourself or need to call a repairman.
If you’re going this route, it probably is a good idea to do some good research first and be honest with your skills.
Simplify
One of the sure cost drivers is the amount of luxury and extra embellishments you add. This can come from a high-tech refrigerator or top of the line kitchen stove.
But if you’re operating on a budget and if it’s an especially tight one, it will do you well to strip down the things you will purchase to the necessities.
It would be nice to have a whole granite countertop with the latest equipment, but if it will come at the cost of quality labor and expertise of the installer, you might as well save it for what will pay off in the long term.
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Ask for a Guarantee
If you’ve seen renovation television shows before, you’ll know that most of the contestants are not happy today due to the lack of guarantee from their renovations. Take it as a tale of caution and ask your contractor if they have a guarantee, like kitchen remodelers in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
Setting a budget is a discipline and skill. It is best to practice this even in small everyday tasks so that when it comes to these things, you will have a thorough knowledge and idea on how to keep a good budget.
