When planning a kitchen renovation, one of your fears is spending more than what you’ve budgeted for. The cost of your remodel will depend on many factors including the size of your kitchen, the materials you want and how much work needs to be done to put it all together. In the end, the cost of the project will be driven by whatever you choose.
We know some common kitchen renovation mistakes that can cause you to spend over your original budget. We’ll share them with you and hope you make conscious decisions to spend reasonably on your next remodel.
Spending More On Custom Cabinetry
Custom kitchen cabinets generally cost more than their stock counterparts. However, you can prevent spending over your budget by making sure you know how much the design will cost before you begin to renovate.
Adding Special External Cabinetry Features
Your cabinets need those special features to complement the rest of the kitchen. This may include things like a knife drawer, a spice rack, wine rack or corner cabinets. Adding these special features is certainly going to cost you more.
Spending More On Countertops
Kitchen countertops can vary in pricing. When your budget is low and you want to save on new countertops consider options such as plastic laminate. Other options like quartz and granite are ideal if you haven’t changed the countertops for more than 10 years.
Appliances That Cost More Than The Initial Budget
Kitchen appliances don’t come cheap. When you choose a different brand, you may end up paying thousands of dollars more. Do adequate research to find out what you are getting and at what cost. Compare the features to determine if they are worth the cost.
Unexpected Structural Problems
When kitchen remodels involve projects such as opening up a wall, you never know what structural issues will be found. For instance, the kitchen flooring can be removed to uncover water leakage issues that have caused extensive rotting of the subfloor. This has to be fixed before a new floor is installed and it adds on to the cost of remodeling.
Additional Costs For Code Compliance
When you invest in new stuff like kitchen appliances, there could be additional work that needs to be done to ensure the remodel is up to code. For instance, if you get a new gas range that is a high BTU unit, the local regulations require that a larger gas pipe be installed which can significantly increase the cost.
When You Can’t Decide What You Want
One thing that can make your project cost escalate is when you have the habit of changing your mind. It’s always good to select all the finishes even before the remodel begins so you have an actual cost. Doing this will avoid spending more money and more time picking out finishes last minute. Avoid changing the material or finishes you had chosen earlier in the middle of the project because it not only messes up the schedule but can also increase the cost.
