How to save money on kitchen remodel: 21 tips

When you’re investing in a kitchen remodeling project, you want to make sure that you add value to your home and save money where you can. Kitchen remodeling costs can add up so quickly that your budget can seem unrealistic. In this guide, we’ll show you how to remodel your kitchen the budget-friendly way.

1. Stuck with Existing Layout (savings of approximately $500, very likely much more)

2. Went with a Freestanding Stove (savings of around $600)

3. Bought Stove Hood from Amazon (saved at least $150)

4. Went with Ready to Assemble Cabinets (saved at least $2000– compared to custom cabinets)

5. Made Own Drawer Dividers (saved $80 to $100)

6. Used a Self Mounted Microwave (savings of $130)

7. Used Subway Tile for Backsplash (saved at least $150)

8. Used Existing Brick as Backsplash (saved approximately $100)

9. Know what look you want before you start interviewing contractors. Drop by local showrooms to see cabinets, countertop options and combinations. This will help you get a sense of costs for different options, too.

10. Keep your plumbing and gas lines in the same place. A kitchen remodel costs considerately less when you don't change the layout.

11. Don't assume big-box stores have the lowest prices. A local cabinetmaker, in some cases, may offer a better deal than the larger competition.

12. Shop around. Explore all options for both labor and materials, from granite to hardware to appliances. Price varies a lot.

13. Look for remnants of granite and marble. Most fabricators have stone left over from previous jobs, and they'll often sell it for a fraction of the original cost.

14. Make friends with cabinet shops. Once they're finished with a display, it is sold at a deep discount. And don’t forget about big-box stores. You can score deals on cabinets by being friendly with them, too.

15. Shop online. Hardware, plumbing and lighting fixtures are all great items to buy online.

16. Don't skimp on planning. The exact layout of the kitchen and choice of cabinets will make a big difference in how well your kitchen functions.

17. Find out where contractors shop. Many of those stores and fabricators are open to the public. Some offer discounts for bigger purchases, and many sell products that aren't available in retail stores.

18. Be flexible on materials. If there is a look you want, see if there is a cheaper way to get it. Subway tile and glass tile, for example, are available at many price points, as are granite, marble and porcelain floor tile.

19. Do your due diligence. Check references of any contractors you plan to use, and make sure the contracts spell out who is responsible for buying materials, exactly what materials the contractor is supplying (down to brand and model number) and what the cost will be if you make changes during the job. Cheaper is not necessarily better.

20. Paint when possible. Know that paint is cheaper than stain, and that goes for the labor, too. People shouldn’t overlook what a difference it makes to paint your cabinets.

21. Consider alternative materials and designs. You can take the doors off the top cabinets or repurpose old furniture as kitchen storage or to create an island, Pliess suggests. Beadboard creates an attractive, inexpensive backsplash. And you might be surprised at today's laminate countertops. Laminate has come a really long way. It doesn't have that ugly laminate look anymore.

To get more specific information about your kitchen, contact us: Art Kitchen Pro