Cost Saving Tips for a Kitchen and Bath Remodel

Kitchen and bath remodels are among the most popular home improvements, but a renovated kitchen or bath space can set you back a pretty penny. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, a complete kitchen remodel for a 200-square foot kitchen costs about $54,000. Breaking down the kitchen or bath remodel into smaller stages can help spread out the expense. But if can’t do your remodel in phases, here are money-saving tips that I often share with my own clients.

Start with a Budget

It may sound elementary, but for every project on which I work, I start with a budget so my clients know up front what to expect cost-wise; you should do the same. Having a line item budget will allow you to see the bottom line and, if necessary, adjust your expenses so you can achieve your overall goal. Start with the cost to demolish the existing space and then create a list of every single item you will need in order to rebuild it to your liking. Next, get bids from contractors and add in your construction costs. Lastly, it’s wise to add a financial ‘padding’ of between 10% and 20% (depending on the size of project and age of home) so you can be prepared for unforeseen expenses that may arise during the remodel. Once you have this information in black and white, it will prepare you for the project expenses and, if necessary, allow you to re-work some of your expenses and expectations.

Think Outside the Box

Kitchen and bath cabinetry can be one of the project’s largest expenses. In order to save money on this big ticket item, you might consider an out-of-the-box solution for your cabinetry choice. When clients are on a budget, I often recommend that they consider this as an option. Remember that any cabinet can be professionally painted in a custom color that will work with your kitchen design. Use out-of-the-box cabinetry as a backdrop and then dress up your cabinetry with your own paint color, moldings and door and drawer hardware to achieve a more custom look.

Stick with the Basics

Countertops cover a large visual expanse in most kitchens and baths. For this reason, I often suggest to clients to use the countertop material as a neutral backdrop to the kitchen and then bring in color with other, smaller, changeable elements. If you’re on board with my philosophy, then you can purchase your countertop material from a warehouse store, like Lowe’s or Home Depot, where they typically offer the more basic color options of quartz, marble and granite at sizable discounts from stone specialty stores.

Rework Existing Elements

Consider retooling some of the bigger ticket items that already exist in your kitchen or bath. We often tear out original cabinetry that was built with solid hardwood only to replace it with new cabinetry that looks great but is fabricated out of wood laminates or MDF. Consider sticking with what you already own, but dressing it up with new stain or paint, new molding details and updated hardware. With some creativity, the final look can make a dramatic difference to the space.

Use the Warehouse Stores as a Resource, Not a Solution

While warehouse stores have a limited selection of options and choices, they generally offer great pricing. I am generally not a fan of kitchens and baths that are completely designed, purchased and installed by the warehouse store. But it can be advantageous to use these stores as a resource for some of the components of your kitchen or bath design. You may be able to order that great vanity cabinet, backsplash tile or toilet through the warehouse store at a deep discount from other suppliers.

Get Creative with Finish Details

Some of my most successful designs were created on a budget and with the use of creative finish details.

• Refinished hardwood flooring looks great, but sometimes is not possible to work with depending on the condition of the original flooring. In cases like this, instead of refinishing, consider the use of a floor paint that will become a design element within the space. A colorful painted stripe or geometric design will become a one-of-a-kind design detail in the space.

• For older cabinetry, consider removing doors to reveal open shelving that can be painted a coordinating color or wallpapered at back to compliment your collection of dishes or glassware.
  
  
• For walls or ceilings that are in poor condition, rather than new drywall, consider paneling these areas with inexpensive beadboard panels that can be painted to work with your color palate. The look of beadboad is a great way to inexpensively layer texture and color into the space.

Some Final Tips

For painted cabinetry and floors, always use a professional painter with experience in painting these items as you will not want to deal with future maintenance issues of a poor paint job. As for wallpaper, I always recommend using a wallpaper professional to make sure that your wallpaper choice is installed correctly and looks perfect.

Robert Frank is a local resident and owner of Robert Frank Design, a full-service interior design firm specializing in kitchen design and bath design. Robert Frank Design works in collaboration with our clients to create beautiful, functional spaces that reflect their lifestyles and personalities. Visit us on the web at www.robertfrankdesign.com.