Get Free Kitchen Remodeling Estimates and Save Money

The cost estimates for making over a kitchen can vary greatly, but here’s some basic knowledge of renovation expenditures and some ideas on how to save money.

Breathing new life into an outdated kitchen can be the smartest money a homeowner may spend on their home. Kitchen renovations bring more bang for your buck than any other home project, providing 80-85 percent return on investment. When planning your kitchen remodeling, the first step is make a budget.

How cost estimates vary?

As every home improvement project is unique, free kitchen remodeling estimates may vary depending on the homeowner’s budget, tastes, and priorities. Where a minor recreation can cost around $7,000, an upscale overhaul can easily top $80,000. In general, labor accounts for 20 percent, while materials cost forms 80 percent of the budget. According to a recently conducted survey, the greatest expense in a kitchen remodel is cabinetry, which can account up to 30 percent. After labor, appliances consume the biggest part of your budget, eating up about 15 percent. Countertops make up 10 percent, and flooring accounts for around 7 percent. The smallest costs, at about 5 percent each, are plumbing fixtures,lighting, doors and windows, and walls and ceilings.

Why kitchen remodeling is the best option?

With materials representing such a big percentage of the budget, a kitchen renovation allows homeowners to utilize greater cost control than with possibly any other remodeling project. So, before you decide where to skimp and splurge, consider how you will use the kitchen. Do you think wine cooler or built-in espresso machine is really worth the price tag? Moreover, consider how long you will own the home. If you won’t live with this kitchen forever, save your expenses to collect important items for your home, such as stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops.

How to choose the material?

When budget is a prime concern, it is wise to estimate spending cuts based on where they will have the maximum impact on the bottom line. Choosing stock cabinetry rather than custom designs will probably create the biggest difference in your budget. For the best durability, select cabinets with solid-wood doors, and then personalize the basic boxes with paint, trim and molding pieces. Even with these upgrades, stock cabinets can cut down an average budget by an appreciable amount. On the other hand, skimping on countertops may not be worth the trade-off. Stone countertops generally cost more than laminate. Yet, as a total percentage of the budget, the expense is a relatively small increase in your total spending.

When getting free kitchen remodeling estimates from contractors, ask for line-item descriptions of exactly how your money is being spent. This will help you determine the biggest expenses and where you can spend less within your budget.