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A minor kitchen renovation can easily cost almost $20,000. Increase the scale of the work and the bill can climb to $50,000 or even $100,000.
Fortunately, it’s possible to get a beautiful kitchen for less, by following one or more of the following 10 tips.
1. Set goals and a budget
The first step is to set parameters for yourself. First, what result do you expect from your renovation project? Are there any drawbacks to your current kitchen layout that you want to remedy? Or is it just a matter of looks? In the latter case, a complete renovation may not be necessary. A lick of paint or new cabinet doors may meet most of your expectations.
Next, set a budget limit for yourself – a real ceiling that you don’t want to exceed. Write this amount as well as the goals of your project. Identify, on the one hand, your priority objectives and, on the other hand, your wishes. Once these parameters have been determined, you can refer to them before getting carried away by crushes that would force cost overruns.
2. Resist the temptation to expand
If you don’t really need a larger kitchen, make do with the space it already takes up. Sometimes, optimizing existing space and increasing storage capacity can give a sense of grandeur. Keep in mind that expanding a kitchen is expensive. For example, adding 5 square feet to a room measuring 10 by 10 feet can easily increase the bill by $4,000 if it is necessary to move walls, redo the floor, review the layout of cabinets, add electrical outlets, etc.
3. Call on a designer or kitchen designer
If you are planning to redo your entire kitchen, the help of a specialist will be invaluable. Its recommendations based on your budget and detailed plans will prevent you from making unfortunate mistakes. It is better to invest a little money at the time of design rather than ending up, after the fact, with a kitchen that does not suit you.
That said, if you have already made a choice of supplier for your kitchen furniture, the kitchen designer will be able to draw up the plans himself, at no cost to you, as long as you agree to buy all your furniture from him.
4. Take care of the demolition
Even without experience, you are probably capable of carrying out the required demolition work yourself. You will be able to recover certain elements, such as the sink or the counters, which you can then put for sale on sites like Kijiji, LesPac, etc. However, seek professional advice before undertaking this type of work to prevent damage to the structure, electrical circuit and plumbing.
5. Watch for appliance sales
Appliances represent a significant part of your budget. Applications like Reebee allow you to receive flyers from several retailers directly to your smartphone and compare prices to buy at the right time, in the right place. Keep your eyes peeled, you could save considerably!
6. Stick to standard materials
Melamine has changed a lot since the 1980s. It is now available in a wide variety of appearances. You will find, for example, that imitate the grain of the wood to perfection, while offering easy maintenance. Laminate, a close cousin of melamine, also offers many options for a countertop. On the floor, vinyl and linoleum remain safe values.
These materials are less expensive than granite, quartz, wood, ceramic or cork. They are also, for the most part, less fragile.
7. Take advantage of grants
Several government programs and energy suppliers offer financial assistance for carrying out certain work. Could your project benefit from one of these programs? Find out about the main grants available for renovations .
8. Customize at a lower cost
Custom-made is beautiful, but expensive. By modifying cabinet cabinets or doors purchased at big box stores, you can make them look like they were made specifically for your kitchen. A carpenter or cabinetmaker can customize them to your liking.
9. Choose the contractor carefully
The cost of labor will make up a significant portion of your expenses. Do not hesitate to solicit several contractors to compare their proposals. You could do this through a referral service like Réno-Assistance . Be sure to ask for references and take a look at previous projects the contractor has completed.
Once you have made your choice, do not be afraid to negotiate with the person you wish to hire before confirming your choice. If you are flexible with the work schedule, find a less busy time for the contractor to get a better price.
10. Don’t change your mind once the project has started
Interrupting work because you want to re-evaluate some of your decisions can increase the bill.