10 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Kitchen Renovation

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A kitchen remodel is one of the surest ways to increase both the value of a home and the quality of life of its occupants. Although a kitchen renovation offers a relatively healthy return on investment (anywhere between 53 and 81 percent), it’s a notoriously expensive endeavor.

But there’s good news: there are ways to reduce the construction costs of your kitchen renovation, even when supplies are tight and inflation is high. Read on to learn how you can save some money while creating the kitchen of your dreams.

1. Find used cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are notoriously expensive, and any strategy for saving some money on those boxes and drawers is worth exploring. One option: Check your local classifieds and Habitat for Humanity ReStores for used cabinets that are still in good condition. With a bit of paint or even new doors, those old boxes can look as good as new, and they keep the remodeling budget in check.

2. Reface of existing cabinets

10 ways to reduce construction costs for your kitchen renovation

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If the cabinets in your kitchen are in good condition, they may be worth revamping. Refacing is essentially a cabinet makeover in which thin strips of laminated hardwood are glued to the front frames and side panels to make the cabinets look like new again. Replacing is usually much less expensive than replacing cabinets, even if the homeowner has to order new doors to match.

RELATED: How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

3. Wait for device sale

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There are several times each year that major home improvement stores discount their home appliance suites, and it’s worth the wait. Columbus Day, Black Friday, Labor Day, and other holidays tend to be the biggest appliance sales, so be sure to check local flyers for deals on stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and multi-appliance packages.

Also look out for discounts when buying electronic devices. Whether you’re being offered an Energy Star or manufacturer discount, it could mean a bit of extra cash in the bank account.

TIED TOGETHER: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Kitchen Appliance Brands

4. Consider open shelves

10 ways to reduce construction costs for your kitchen renovation

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If the point isn’t clear, cabinets don’t come cheap. But who says you have to cover every square inch of wall space with it? Swapping out some closet boxes for open shelving can save you some money and add a country vibe to the space. There are downsides to this design trend too — you have to keep plates, cups, and everything else on the shelves neat and tidy, for example — but if you like the look, it’s a great way to cut costs.

5. Sell your old materials

Slow down, demo happy DIYers. Don’t just pry open those old cabinets with a sledgehammer like some TV fins. Instead, carefully remove the cabinets, countertops, and other materials and list them on the resale market.

Just as buying used cabinets and countertops can save money, selling them can bring in money that can go back into the project. So leave the Sawzall. Take the screwdriver.

6. Collect multiple bids

10 ways to reduce construction costs for your kitchen renovation

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Some steps in a kitchen remodel may require hiring a professional: running new wiring, running gas lines, or installing plumbing and drains where they never existed before may be beyond the expertise of some do-it-yourselfers. Depending on where a homeowner lives, some of these projects may even require permits or even be illegal if tackled by a home handyman alone. When it comes time to call in a professional, don’t rush to hire the first company that comes in the door.

Soliciting multiple bids allows homeowners to pit them against each other. Contractors can lower their markup or offer cheaper solutions during negotiations, which can result in significant savings.

Ah, trends! avoid them. While they’re often the inspiration for a makeover, sticking heavily to trends can be a serious waste of money. Current materials are not only constantly being evaluated, but they also quickly depreciate in value when this trend is over.

A classic design ages well and stands up to current fashions, while a trendy kitchen quickly goes out of style and requires a makeover. More frequent rebuilds add up to more money over time and more stress from managing multiple projects. Don’t trends usually come back? Sometimes, but it can take 40 years – and who wants to wait that long? Stick to the classics.

8. Design it yourself

10 ways to reduce construction costs for your kitchen renovation

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Kitchen designers may have the know-how to put together an amazing space, but homeowners pay for that know-how. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a professional, design the kitchen yourself. Just make sure you don’t jump in blindly: take the time to research kitchen remodeling projects and read some design and planning guides like the guidelines and National Kitchen and Bath Association Accessibility Standards (available on Amazon).

However, it is worth noting that kitchen designers have merits beyond expertise. For example, they can sometimes pay themselves by purchasing materials through their connections at cheaper prices. However, for homeowners who would rather not go to the expense, designing the space yourself is an option.

TIED TOGETHER: Buying Guide: The Best Kitchen Design Software

9. Do most of the work yourself

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As sensible as it is to hire contractors for certain parts of a kitchen renovation, it also makes sense to do everything else yourself. DIYers can tackle drywall, painting, flooring, cabinet installation, and appliance connections in most cases. By doing a lot of the work yourself, you can put some of the savings back into the renovation (perhaps to forego high-impact items like countertops and backsplashes) or simply lower your overall costs.

10. The Household Rules All

10 ways to reduce construction costs for your kitchen renovation

Photo: Bobvila.com

Ultimately, the most important thing a homeowner can do to save money on a kitchen renovation is to have a realistic budget and stick to it. These projects can quickly get out of control, so it’s important to draw a clear line. If you know you can’t spend more than $10,000 on the kitchen, work well under that budget to account for any incidental expenses that may arise, as they always do.

If you find that the kitchen of your dreams isn’t possible within that budget, it may be worth waiting and saving more money. It never pays to spend too much money and get cash-strapped.

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