It’s no secret that renovating your kitchen can be a massive headache that leaves a burning hole in your wallet. The hardest part is that you often have the perfect vision of what your kitchen remodel should look like, but it just isn’t in the budget. So is there a way around some of these pesky kitchen renovation costs?
Here at Red Rose Cabinetry, we’re experts at coming up with creative solutions for any budget when it comes to renovating your kitchen. We’ve found a few ways that can lighten the financial load of your kitchen remodel.
What Will It Cost to Remodel My Kitchen?
Before we dive in, you’re probably wondering what it will cost to remodel your kitchen, right? According to the 2019 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling (which you can download for free at costvsvalue.com), the average kitchen remodel costs in the Lancaster, Pa. area are mostly in line with the national averages.
The kitchen renovation price ranges are broken down into three categories: Major Kitchen Renovation (Upscale), Major Kitchen Renovation (Midrange), and Minor Kitchen Renovation. These average kitchen remodel costs come in around $131k, $65k, and $22.5k, respectively.
Depending on your budget, these numbers may result in a little bit of sticker shock. Luckily, there are a few workarounds you might be able to do.
Consider Your Kitchen Remodel in Phases
As appealing as it may be to try and finish all of your kitchen remodeling in one fell swoop, consider doing it in phases. If you plan it out appropriately, you can usually find some big sales on kitchen appliances, lighting, flooring, etc. during certain times of the year. It may not seem like a lot, but a few hundred in savings can really add up over time!
Refrain from Moving Your Plumbing & Electricals
One of the most expensive aspects of any kind of home improvement remodel is when plumbing or electrical wiring has to move. While your stove may look better if it’s only a few feet to the right, those few feet can cost thousands of dollars in rewiring. The same goes for plumbing as well!
If you can, we highly suggest keeping any appliances along the same wall as your current setup to avoid excessive moving costs. Also, double-check with your contractor to make sure there’s nothing wrong with the current placement of plumbing or wires.
Refinish the Floors Instead of Replacing Them
Flooring is another expensive part of a kitchen remodel, but it doesn’t always have to be. If your floors are hardwood, all you may need to do is sand and refinish them. Even if you’re missing pieces after appliances or counter layouts are changed, most contractors will be able to find replacement pieces for you. They can be stained to match your current floor, and no one will ever notice the difference.
On the other hand, if you have old vinyl flooring or something that needs completely replaced, there are still cost-saving options. You can save money by going with something like cork flooring, which has a very unique look.
Save Money on Kitchen Cabinets
This wouldn’t be a Red Rose Cabinetry blog post without talking about cabinets, now would it? Of course not!
One of the most common concerns we hear from customers about their kitchen remodel is how much their cabinets are going to cost. On average, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) states that cabinetry takes up the highest portion of a kitchen remodel budget at 29 percent.
While this seems like a lot (and it is), you can take comfort in knowing that Red Rose Cabinetry can make your dream kitchen come to life within your budget.
Replace Only a Select Section of Cabinets
At Red Rose, we specialize in custom and semi-custom cabinetry, but we’re homeowners as well. We understand when the cost may win out over the exact hardwood you want—and that’s okay! You’ll feel comforted knowing that no matter what price range you’re working with, you’ll always be getting beautiful, high-quality cabinets for your home.
If you can’t say no to fully custom cabinets, consider only replacing a few in your home at first. Remember when we talked about remodeling in phases? For now, maybe just replacing your lower cabinets and countertops will suffice. The upper cabinets can come at a later time.
Replacing Kitchen Appliances: Lifetime vs. Cost
When you’re in the middle of a kitchen remodel, splurging on brand new appliances can be tempting. After all, who doesn’t want a built-in cook-top stove? Here’s the thing, though—you don’t have to go spending-crazy on all appliances.
We highly recommend searching for a local scratch and dent appliance store. Most of the time, they’ll have brand new appliances for a much lower cost. Also, think about the kitchen appliances that have the most impact on your life. If cooking isn’t your favorite hobby, maybe you don’t need to splurge on the fanciest stove. It all depends on your personal needs.
DIY Parts of Your Kitchen Remodel
Are you handy with a hammer? Or maybe you don’t mind putting in a little bit of sweat equity into your kitchen? If so, there may be parts of your kitchen remodel that you can do yourself!
Now, certain things like electrical and plumbing should most definitely be left to the professionals. But if you have the experience (or know how to follow instructions on YouTube), you can probably sand and finish your floor yourself, replace a few cabinet doors or hardware, or even install a backsplash.
A DIY attitude can save you a few hundred bucks with your kitchen remodel, but when you feel overwhelmed and want help, Red Rose Cabinetry will be there for you.
For over 30 years, our expert team has been providing full-service custom cabinetry to homes in the Lititz and Lancaster, Pa. areas. To us, every project is special. That’s why we take the time to listen to you and get the details right from start to finish. Check out some of our latest projects for examples, or give us a call if you’re ready to start your kitchen remodel project!
