How Can I Save Money on My Kitchen Renovations?

Many homeowners hold off on renovating their outdated kitchens for fear of how much the entire project will end up costing them. It’s a significant investment to make for sure, but certainly one that can only improve your family’s quality of life and raise the overall value of your home. Remodelling your kitchen can fix any structural damage, address existing issues that are preventing you from utilising the space more effectively, and prolong the lifespan of the this important spot in your home while breathing new life into it. 

Ekitchens is the reliable solutions provider for kitchen renovations Perth customers trust. We provide handsome, high-quality custom-made cabinetry so that you can finally achieve the look you’ve always wanted in your kitchen without sacrificing functionality or shelling out exorbitant amounts of money. For more tips on how to save on your kitchen renovation, read on below: 

Know what to keep and what to get rid of when remodeling

A kitchen remodel doesn’t necessarily mean tearing down the entire room and building back up from scratch. While it seems much easier to start from a blank slate, certain fixtures such as pipes and utilities are difficult and costly to reroute. You could end up paying for these essential systems to be put in exactly where they used to be—a huge waste of both time and money—when you could have just left them well enough alone in the first place. Your insistence on having a dishwasher, stovetop or sink moved could cost you up to AU$ 7,000 per appliance. That’s cash that could be going towards something much more necessary, so choose your expenses wisely.

Make meaningful renovations your primary priority. As rooms that are subject to extreme temperature fluctuations and see a lot of foot traffic, kitchens often need basic refurbishments first. Before you dream up a new design aesthetic, make sure that the ceiling, floors, and walls are in good shape; check for rust or discoloration on stainless steel elements, such as the sink, faucet fixtures, and cabinet hinges. Are your appliances still in good working order? There’s no reason to chuck your refrigerator or range hood for shiny new units if all they need is a bit of cleaning. Are your countertops still sturdy and presentable? Leave them in and design the room around them instead. Do your best to work with what you have, and it’ll translate into big savings. 

Choose ready-to-assemble cabinet

One of the factors that can significantly hike up the total cost of a remodel is new kitchen cabinets. Homeowners could be looking at thousands of dollars in costs if they go with custom cabinetry, factoring in the cost of wood, going with an elaborate design, and ensuring that the layout fits the space precisely. The results will be undoubtedly stunning, but prepare to be equally stunned at the bottom line. Other factors that drive up the cost of custom cabinetry include taxes, delivery, and professional installation.

The first question you should ask yourself is, do the cabinets really need replacing? If they are falling apart and are unsalvageable, then by all means take them out. If not, you can still refresh the look of your existing kitchen cabinetry by refacing or refinishing them. This only works on real wood or MDF board cabinets but not laminate, though. By sanding them down and applying a new stain, you can have like-new cabinets at a significant fraction of the cost of buying brand new. 

Ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets are also a convenient, inexpensive alternative. You can save heaps of money on delivery costs because these semi-custom cabinets come flat-packed for easier transportation, and you don’t have to pay a contractor to put them up if you’re handy and can do it yourself. They come with easy-to-follow instructions for assembly and can look just like custom kitchen cabinets without the jarring price tag. Ekitchens offers a variety of styles, materials, finishes and fittings for kitchen cabinetry you can truly call your own. 

Appreciate open shelving

Modern interior design favours openness for a clean, airy atmosphere that also creates a feeling of spaciousness. Kitchen cabinets are still essential for storage, of course, but having open shelving also has its advantages. 

First, it’s a cost-effective way to keep your kitchen organised. Open shelves are significantly cheaper than kitchen cabinets from cost of materials to installation. They provide convenient access to items that you often use or would like to use more in the kitchen, too. Maybe you’ll be inspired to bake more if you can actually see that stand mixer you bought instead of forgetting it even exists, as is the way with most things stored into the bowels of a spare cupboard. Open shelves also a great place to showcase art and everyday items to create visual interest. If you choose what to put on them wisely, you won’t have to worry about dust accumulating or keeping them spotless. 

Keep an eye out for bargains

Do your appliances need replacing as well? Most people just browse online or head to a big box retailer for a brand-new stainless-steel refrigerator or cooktop and call it a day. Savvy homeowners know that you can save big if you are prepared to put in a little bit of effort. Head out to brick-and-mortar shops and kitchen stores to do a bit of exploration and price comparison. Most local businesses are willing to price match to make a sale, so you can have the gas range and oven combo you’ve always dreamed of at a lower price. 

Don’t be scared of second-hand

You can easily obtain heavy-duty equipment used in professional kitchens by searching online for restaurant auctions. The listings usually come from an establishment that’s recently gone under, and are being sold by the owner in order to break even on his investment. As these industrial-grade appliances are built to last, even a three-year-old reach-in refrigerator should be in excellent shape and continue to function for years to come. They’ll be an absolute delight to use, especially if you’re a budding home cook.

You may also want to look into second-hand stores that sell commercial kitchen equipment that have been previously displayed in showrooms. Most of the time, these units have never even been used and you can get a top-of-the-line dishwasher or induction cooktop at bargain prices. 

One of the easiest ways to cut down on additional costs is by taking a hands-on approach with your remodelling. Tear down the cabinets yourself to save on labour, or take it upon yourself to paint the walls instead of hiring the job out. By being practical and making sensible purchases, you can have the kitchen that you’ve always dreamed of.