Kitchen Remodeling Ideas That Can Help You Save Money

• Improve Natural Lighting: saved 92.7% and FINISHED in about five hours with ZERO structural modifications!
• Install New Flooring: about 91.8% less than the costs of a remodel but can take two to five DAYS between prep and completion.
• Upgrade Appliances: 84.4% less than the cost of the remodel.
• Replace Old Countertops: a 93.2% saving from a full remodel but can take several days to even MONTHS.
• Add a Backsplash: a 97.5% lower cost than a full remodel but is more of a detail than a fundamental improvement.
• Install New Cabinets: about 77.6% lower than the cost of a full remodel but requires countertop reinstallation and weeks to months to complete.

Kitchen Remodel Cost

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, you’re probably concerned about the cost. A complete kitchen renovation can range from $15,000 to $50,000 or more depending on the size and scope of your project. But there are ways to save on your kitchen remodel without sacrificing quality or style.  As a prior homebuilder, who has built more than 122 homes in the Houston area, this is a subject near and dear to your author’s heart. It can be extremely frustrating to watch people struggle with these issues.  Your kitchen is a gathering space for your whole family. Your kitchen is a place where you entertain guests, enjoy comfy seating while you eat, spend time with family, and help your kids with homework. An open-plan kitchen where you can relax can be a great help for your healthy cooking and your family’s sanity.

Houston Area Kitchen Remodel

This beautiful and recently remodeled home drove the homeowners nuts! Several years ago, they spent $39,400 to get started! For months there were delays while their kitchen was a dirty, ripped open hole in their home, and then the contractor cost overruns!  We’ll just stick with the $39,400 price, so as to not embarrass the contractor.  This is also close to the national average from Home Advisor. This number is also the basis for savings calculations above.  Finally the remodel was done with an all-new kitchen layout, redesigned kitchen island, upper cabinets, lower cabinets, new cabinet hardware, natural stone countertops, tile floors, an expensive mosaic tile backsplash, and new energy-efficient appliances.  And they still were not happy!  Your author knows because this is my own parents’ redesigned kitchen!

Kitchen Design Ideas

By following these tips, you can save thousands of dollars on your kitchen remodel.  So don’t be discouraged if you’re working with a tight budget.  With a little creativity, you can still have the kitchen of your dreams.  Kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.  You can target specific areas and pain points to remedy those first and possibly meet your needs without committing to a massive, expensive and time-consuming remodel process.  You have some great lower-cost alternative kitchen design ideas. Expert advice can be hard to find because the expert’s ideas need to match your kitchen makeover vision. Today’s trends may not suit your tastes. Opinions expressed vary by person, and, ultimately,  you need to decide how to reconcile your own desires and average kitchen remodel costs.

Improve Natural Lighting

Hands down, the best way to keep your kitchen remodel cost down is with natural light from a tubular skylight or solar-powered indoor lighting. Both devices mount on your ceiling and deliver crisp clean daylight into your room.

These two basic fixtures mean that you can quickly and easily upgrade your kitchen (or any room in your house) in as little as an hour or two! You can create a warm and inviting kitchen space just by adding natural lighting over critical areas of your kitchen. You NEVER need to waste time removing walls! Larger solar tubes cover hundreds of square feet worth of your table, counters, sink, shelves, and floor in beautiful clean lighting.

Before and after Daylighting images are the most effective description:

The most popular areas to install natural lighting also yield the greatest results. Over your kitchen island is a great spot because it is typically a high-traffic area where your family prepares food and often eats at the bar top. By placing at least two daylighting systems over your island you will see immediate results at minimal expense, filling your kitchen with light. Another popular area to place your daylighting is above your sink. This provides great light in one of your highest-traffic kitchen areas. Over your stovetop and the meal-prep areas are another great idea because you spend so much time there and need to be extra careful working with heat and sharp tools.

These costs vary based upon your desired impact, space available, square foot involved, the distance from your ceiling sheetrock to your roof, and, most importantly, if you want super-efficient indoor solar-powered lighting or beautiful full-spectrum natural sunlight, without the pesky UV and IR light, of course! The system shown in this before and after example produced spectacular results and saved 92.7%! It was also FINISHED in about five hours with ZERO structural modifications!

Daylighting works in every room with attic access above.  Check out some amazing living room results from Kingwood!

Installing Flooring

Laminate & Linoleum Flooring

This can be the least expensive kitchen floor alternative. Consider using laminate flooring instead of hardwood or tile, if you are worried about budget or you want a fast job in a kitchen for a new rental house for example. Laminate is less expensive and it’s easy to install, so you can do it yourself and even save a little on your budget.

The drawbacks to these alternatives are that while you avoid the higher price tag you can sometimes run into issues with quality and life span. Roll out & glued down linoleum is probably the fastest and easiest option. You just clear the area, measure & cut your sheet, put down the linoleum to test, set your adhesive to the floor, and relay the linoleum by pressing it down.  The problem is that over time, foot traffic breaks the adhesive, and the linoleum floor starts to stretch and pull away, leaving that annoying sticky, bubbly, floating sensation underfoot.

Hardwood Flooring

If you do decide to install hardwood or tile, be sure to compare prices between different stores before you make your purchase. You may be able to find a better deal online than you would in a brick-and-mortar store.  Trying to do it yourself with floors can also make a mess because kitchens often have lots of angles and short-distance cuts. Also, keep in mind that cabinets usually have quarter-round runners along the floor, so if you do this on your own you may end up ripping up parts of your cabinets too, and that can be perilous causing project creep.

Tile Flooring

Kitchen floors take a lot of abuse, so it’s important to choose materials that can withstand spills, dropped pots and pans, and heavy foot traffic. Tile is a great choice for kitchen flooring because it’s durable, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of colors and styles. You can find tile flooring at most home improvement stores, and the cost of installation is relatively reasonable.  Depending upon your tastes tile can go from easily managed and becoming shockingly expensive & a time-consuming project very quickly. The warning here is that no matter the price of your tile from a dollar per square foot up to premium custom tiles that can cost more than twenty dollars per foot, the pricing of tile does not include the back and knee-breaking labor. The specialized tools and cutting saws to do the job right are not cheap. The grout and underlay choice is a huge pitfall!

HINT / PRO-TIP: NEVER choose light grout for your kitchen! Someone, somewhere, sometime will spill grape juice, either the fermented or kid’s style grape juice or something else that stains and light grout keep that color no matter what your tile sealants say.

Floor Cost

There is an interesting article on Marble.com about kitchen sizes. Kitchen sizes range between 70 to 720 square feet. That means that the average size is a little over 350 square feet.  Homeguide.com has a great calculator that estimates costs in Houston between $6-$10 for average materials and labor. That means that your kitchen floor probably costs between $1,660–$4,620 for installation and materials.  The risk is that you may need to spend days or weeks out of your kitchen. The first step is to rip out your existing floors. Then polish down the area to make sure it is flat. Then once the tiles are laid you need to stay off as underlay and grout dry or your steps may shift or stain the area.  This option’s cost represents about 91.8% less than the costs of a remodel, but two to five DAYS between prep and completion.

Appliances

Appliances are another big-ticket item when it comes to kitchen remodels. If your appliances are old and outdated, consider replacing them with energy-efficient models. You’ll save money on your utility bills and your kitchen will look brand new.  New ideas for new appliances literally come out with every year’s manufacturer product upgrade. Upgrading appliances can sometimes be difficult as those new appliances need different services. If you buy a new technology device, it may require additional unforeseen hardwired connections or even plumbing services that could drive up prices.

Appliance prices according to realestaterama.com a good kitchen appliance package can easily cost $6,000. Appliances are 84.4% less than the cost of the remodel in this case.

Countertops

Marble Countertops

Countertops can be one of the most expensive elements of a kitchen remodel. If you’re on a budget, consider using laminate or granite instead of marble. Both are less expensive options that will still give your kitchen an updated look.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a more durable option than granite, making it a good choice for busy kitchens. It’s also less expensive than marble, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

Butcher Block Countertops

If you’re looking for a more natural look, consider using butcher block countertops. They’re made from wood, so they add a warm, rustic feel to your kitchen.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are a budget-friendly option that can give your kitchen an updated look. They’re available in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can find one that fits your style.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a durable material that’s resistant to scratches and stains. It’s also heat-resistant, so you can put hot pans on it without damaging the surface.

Countertop Cost

countertopinvestigator.com has a shocking article about the prices of this upgrade.  Houzz.com supports these prices with an average cost of $2.600. This makes a 93.2% saving from a full remodel. The huge problem with this installation process can take several days to even MONTHS, for high-end custom cut stone, between measurement, manufacture, shipment, and finally installation.

Backsplash

Subway Tile Backsplash

Subway tile is a classic backsplash material that will never go out of style. It’s also relatively inexpensive, so it’s a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find these tiles at most home improvement stores.

Tile Backsplash

Tile backsplashes are a great way to add color and pattern to your kitchen. They’re also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find tile backsplashes at most home improvement stores.

Glass Backsplash

Glass backsplashes are a great way to add a unique touch to your kitchen. They’re also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find glass backsplashes at most home improvement stores.

Metal Backsplash

Metal backsplashes are a great way to add a unique touch to your kitchen. They’re also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find metal backsplashes at most home improvement stores.

Wood Backsplash

Woodgrain backsplashes are a great way to add a unique touch to your kitchen. They’re also relatively inexpensive, so they’re a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find wood backsplashes at most home improvement stores.

Stone Backsplash

Stone backsplashes are a great way to add a luxurious touch to your kitchen. They’re also relatively expensive, so they’re not always a great way to save money on your kitchen remodel. You can find stone backsplashes at most home improvement stores.

There are some ways to cheat the price by using printed products. Some home improvement stores carry a tack-on roll of printed material that resembles stone. The warning is that from a distance, it is photo-realistic, but up close it is not stone. Over time you may start to feel a little disappointed wondering what the real thing would look like

Backsplash Cost

kitchenexpressnc.com has a kitchen backsplash cost ranging from $600 to $1,300, or an average $950. The issue with upgrading a backsplash is that it is out of the way and more of a detail than a fundamental improvement.

Cabinets

Reface Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive elements of an entire kitchen remodel. If your existing cabinets are in good shape, consider refacing them instead of replacing them. You’ll save 50% or more on the cost of new cabinets.

Custom Cabinetry

If you have the budget for custom cabinets, go for it! Custom cabinets are made to order and can be designed to fit your specific kitchen layout. They’ll cost more than stock or semi-custom cabinets, but they’ll be worth it in the end because when you have a great concept and install them correctly they match your design, for your personalized needs.

Gray Cabinets

If you’re looking to add a bit of sophistication to your kitchen, gray cabinets are a great option. Gray is a popular color for Kitchen cabinetry right now because it’s unique and different, but not too out there.  Go with what you like! Just because something is popular today does not mean that you want to chase the trend. Your happiness with your cabinetry is more important than what some designer says, you live there, they don’t! Eye-catching colors today might turn into tomorrow, next week’s, or next month’s minor remodel project.

What is the most expensive remodel?  The one you don’t like, you need to tear out, and redo!

Open Shelving

Open shelving is a great way to add storage to your kitchen without adding more cabinets. You can find open shelving at most home improvement stores and it’s relatively easy to install. Just make sure you measure twice and cut once!  You will also want to be aware that what you have on those shelves will be on display. If you don’t want children to know about your hidden treats this might not be a great idea. Another issue is that most kitchen designs are pretty compact, to begin with, your house has a small kitchen. You may make one of your fundamental issues more complicated by taking away your needed space.

Cabinet Costs

kitchencabinetkings.com has an interesting article that states stock or semi-custom cabinets in the mid-tier cabinetry range cost at least $6,000. This is about 77.6% of the cost of a full remodel with the required countertop reinstallation. The problem with this project is that you also MUST replace your countertops, so that expense is going to add to this total. It also can take several days to weeks to finish the work between ripping out your existing kitchen cabinets and countertops, installing the new, and then reinstalling new countertops.

Renovation Cost Conclusions & Your Home

Kitchen remodels typically cost between $15,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size and scope of your project. These costs can be reduced by doing some of the work yourself such as painting or re-facing cabinets.

You can also save money by using cheaper materials, such as laminate counters instead of granite. If you’re on a tight budget, there are still ways to give your kitchen a fresh new look. Consider painting your cabinets, walls, or trim. You can also find budget-friendly countertop materials, like laminate, at most home improvement stores. Kitchen remodels are a great way to update your home and increase its value.

Remember that there may be nothing wrong with your existing kitchen! You may just need a little bit of beautiful daylight coming into your kitchen over your kitchen island, or your beautiful farmhouse sink! Or maybe you just have a small kitchen that is already maxed out with upgrades, and you just need some natural light to see your cabinetry! A quick half-day visit can upgrade your lighting and quickly upgrade your home with almost no downtime!

With a little planning and careful budgeting, you can create the kitchen of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Thanks for reading!

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