Home Depot states the average cost of a minor kitchen remodel is $24,000, while major remodels buoy around $69,000. While full-scale remodels via major department stores tend to cost more anyway, most of us don’t have tens of thousands of dollars lying around.

There are also many ways to save money on your next kitchen remodel—but before you spend any money, you need to have a realistic budget in mind. Create a list of everything you want to remodel, and do your research on prices and labor costs. Itemize everything on your list like so:

Some items may need multiple lines to compare materials and styles. For example, if you’re choosing between marble, quartz, and granite countertops, you should list each one and how much they cost.

This list will give you a rough idea of how much money you'll need for your kitchen remodel. If you have a set budget in mind, weigh this list based on what’s needed and how badly. This strategy will help you get the most you want out of the budget you have. If you want everything, you also now know how much that’s going to cost you.

Creating a budget is great because it helps you visualize the dollar range you want to stay within. Without researching and planning costs beforehand, you’ll risk:

●     Going way over budget,

●     Forgetting a crucial item, or

●     End up having to put your remodel on pause.

To help budget your modern kitchen remodel, here are a few strategies to consider:

Use Your Existing Layout

You can save a ton of money by finding a way to make your existing layout work. Moving cabinets, ranges, and dishwashers around requires redoing the wiring and plumbing of your kitchen. Sometimes the cost of changing these items can be more expensive than most of the heftier price tags on your checklist.

Refresh, Don’t Replace

If your cabinets, countertops, and shelving units have a few more good years left, give them a facelift instead of a tear out. You’ll save a lot of money you’d otherwise spend on new materials and installation costs. Refresh your kitchen by doing the following:

●     Sand, prime, and paint your cabinets to give them a new look

●     If your cabinets are stained[1] , use a stain pen and refinish them

●     Replace hardware, like handles and knobs

●     Refinish your shelving units

Include Refurbished Items

Refurbished hardware, lighting, and accessories can be quality pieces that cost a fraction of their newer counterparts. Some items may require a little creativity, but they’re worth it in the long run. Refurbished items are also more environmentally-friendly, which is another plus.

Price Check

See something you like at a showroom or department store? Price check it using an app like ShopSavvy or ScanLife. Prices are rarely the same everywhere, so by making cost comparisons, you may find the kitchen sink you just fell in love with is 20% cheaper somewhere else.

When comparing prices, check if taxes and installation costs are included. You don’t want to be caught off guard.

Shop Local

There are so many reasons to shop local. You’re supporting a local business, you’re putting more money into the economy, and shipping and installation costs are often cheaper. Depending on where you go, you may also find higher quality items than you’d find at a nation-wide retailer.

For more tips on how to save money on your next kitchen remodel, send us a message. We’d love to help.

link to stained cabinets vs painted cabinets article