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Kitchen Remodeling on the Cheap

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Can You Remodel the Kitchen While Penny Pinching?

Your kitchen is in high need of maintenance, and you've got just enough money to tackle the project. Or so you think. If you're working with a strict budget, there are ways to get around a monetary crunch. You may not have the leisure to work with the best quality material out there, but you can always settle for the tried and true, and of course, affordable. There are many options, including the following, though they may not always come to mind first.

Install a Pre-owned Kitchen

Recyclers such as Green Demolitions, Build It Green, Driftwood Salvage, and Habitat ReStores remove kitchens and resell them. These kitchens frequently originate in high dollar homes, where new owners have the money to remodel to fit their own style. In the process, new appliances, sinks, and countertops are sacrificed without a second thought. You can buy such items as units or as individual pieces. They may not be brand new, but they can be in tip-top shape and save you money on an upgrade.

Avoid Hidden Costs

Before you remodel, investigate. Look for areas where hidden costs tend to creep in, such as gas, electrical, and plumbing lines. Is your subfloor stable? Where are your weight bearing walls? Keep in mind where wall patching and reinforcement may come into play and budget accordingly. If you can, give yourself some cushion for unforeseen costs, and prepare ahead of time to avoid them!

Work What You've Got

It may be good enough, forestalling the need for complete replacement. Try refacing your kitchen cabinets rather than buying a brand new lot. You can go far with a new paint job on the cabinets and walls. Upgrade your appliances if you need to, or give your existing fixtures a facelift with adhesive paneling or paint made for that purpose. Your countertops may get by with new laminate paneling, and new lighting fixtures to boot can change the aura of the room completely. Get creative, get decorative, and don't let good material go to waste.

Re-do your Flooring

If you can't afford genuine stone, linoleum or vinyl are practical, viable options. Then again, look at the original flooring beneath whatever you currently have installed. You may find a gem, like original hardwood flooring just waiting for a good refinishing job!