How to Save Money on a New Kitchen
By Jason Matthews
Although many people dream of a new kitchen,
the price tag can be extremely high and sometimes prohibits immediate
gratification. Rather than enduring an outdated, poorly functioning
cooking area while saving for a more modern version in the future, why
not use several cost cutting measures to make that dream a reality a
bit sooner? To begin the process, it is important to properly plan for
the kitchen update. Here are some tips to help you get a new kitchen
for less.
Cost-Saving Questions to Ask
• Which of the tasks can you
do yourself, and which will you have to pay someone to do?
• Will a change in design require new wiring, or will the new plan use
existing electrical circuits?
• Must all new appliances be purchased, or are some of the older ones
still working properly?
• Do the worktops need to be modernized in some way?
• Is the lighting adequate, or will a new light fixture need to be
installed?
• Can the cabinets be restored, or should they be replaced entirely?
• Will the kitchen sink and taps match the new style, or should they be
changed as well?
• Does the kitchen flooring need to be replaced or modernized for the
new look?
All of these factors make a
difference in the final price tag for a kitchen makeover project, but
creative homeowners can usually find ways to mitigate some of these
costs.
Cost-Saving Measures to Take
The following tips are just a
few tricks of the trade which can lower the final price significantly:
• Do as much of the physical
work as possible yourself, even if this means taking a home-improvement
class. Removing old units and taking off old wall tiles is something
that most people can do themselves. Also, offering to clear up after a
tradesperson has finished is one way to reduce your labour costs. Many
DIY skills are also demonstrated online and can be learned in a short
period of time. Another idea is to barter with friends who have a skill
who may be able to help you out.
• Try to incorporate the
current electrical outlets and circuitry into the new plan, to save on
the cost of rewiring.
• Update older appliances
that still work well using veneer covers, or appliance paint to make
them look like new, rather than splashing out on a new oven or fridge.
If they do need replacing, look for energy efficient models that will
be cheaper to run and shop around to get the best price. Compare deals
online or see if you can get a discount on an ex-display item from an
electrical store.
• Instead of using expensive
granite for a new worktop, get the same modern appeal with
granite-effect laminate, or use granite tiles rather than one large
slab of stone.
• Paint older light
fixtures, and consider installing modern fluorescent lighting to save
money on energy bills over the long term.
• Paint or stain cabinets
that are in good shape and make them more contemporary by replacing the
door knobs or handles.
• Providing you have
standard cabinet sizes you could consider getting replacement doors and
keeping the original units. This is a good way to change the style of
your kitchen without a lot of work or inconvenience, and you should be
able to fit them yourself.
• If your units have reached
the end of their life, search online for cheap kitchen cabinets that
you can put together yourself, to save you money on the installation
costs.
• Choose kitchen taps with a
separate handle for hot and cold water, as these are usually cheaper
than a single lever.
• Purchase several different
colours or patterns of discontinued tiles to use for flooring or as a
splashback, and be creative in forming a pattern. Plain colours,
especially white, are usually the cheapest, but if you want to include
a few decorative wall tiles, save money by using them just as a border,
or as accents in places that they’ll have the most visual impact.
While in the planning stages
of designing and creating a new kitchen, it is always wise to keep an
eye out for unexpected bargains. Periodically check ads in local
newspapers and online. Search discontinued ranges in DIY stores, find
fixtures or counter height stools online, and watch for giveaways on
FreeCycle. All of these sources can make a kitchen remodelling project
less expensive.
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"The state represents
violence in a concentrated and organized form. The individual has a
soul, but as the state is a soulless machine, it can never be weaned
from violence to which it owes its very existence." -- Mahatma Mohandas
K. Gandhi