As a designer who’s been involved in remodeling projects from design concept to completion, I've always encouraged clients to be transparent about their budget ranges. I use these ranges as guidance to design and select products within certain parameters. Moreover, the ranges allow clients to be flexible with their decisions, as they evaluate my presentations.
Not all clients are comfortable sharing their budgets. On many occasions, people are willing to exceed their highest range, so they can “do it once, and do it right.”
However, some clients are very specific with their maximum limits. Not everyone have financial flexibility.
I get it, as a person who implements budget in her own household, I can resonate with a lot of my clients.
So, I am all for helping them “design within their budget.”
I have priced hundreds of jobs in multiple ways using different materials, and here are some of the things that I learned to reduce remodeling project costs:
1. Reface or Refinish vs. Full Remodel. If you are contented with the current layout of your space and the changes are primarily cosmetic, Refacing or refinishing is the best way to save money rather than full renovation. In this case, you won’t need to gut your space to studs. You will be keeping the carcass of the cabinets, since they are still in good condition. The common items that are updated together with refacing or refinishing projects are: cabinet doors and drawer fronts, cabinet hardware, counter top, back splash, floor, lighting, appliances, and paint.
Keep in mind that as soon as you start altering and adding cabinets, changing drawer boxes, drawer glides and cabinet door hinges, the project will be more labor-intensive. If I can see that there will be significant changes, I recommend that you might as well proceed with a remodel. Labor is a big chunk of the budget. Any areas that will avoid labor will reduce the cost of your project.
2. Refinish or paint your existing hardwood floors instead of replacing it. Assess the condition of your hardwood floor, and see if it's a candidate for refinishing or painting. The process will completely transform your space and make the floors look new, especially when you are changing the stain/ paint color or tint. You will not only save money on materials and installation, but in time as well.
3. Be flexible with the specifications of your cabinets. Cabinet fronts like thermo-laminate, foil, melamine and mdf (medium density fiber board) are less expensive than painted and lacquered doors, glass, metal, wood veneer, and solid wood. Cabinet boxes made in melamine carcass are less expensive than plywood box construction. Changing the global specifications of your cabinet order can be a significant impact on reducing your total cabinet order.
4. Do some of the work yourself. (This blog is not for DIY projects. I have yet to blog on areas that you shouldn’t compromise for the sake of saving money.) I recommend areas of work like painting. Some clients do it to save money. Some just genuinely enjoy doing it. Some have real skills and experiences. You can weigh this decision by thinking which is more important: your time or your money?
5. Consider engineered and pre-fabricated materials that are easy to install and work with. Here are common examples: A lot of engineered quartz counter top materials are less expensive than natural stones. In general, porcelain tiles are also less expensive than glass, hand-made or natural stone tiles. Vinyl floors are less expensive to install than tile floors and hardwood floors. Pre-fabricated shower pans are less expensive than custom shower pans. Shower wall kits are faster to install than shower tiles.
6. Try to keep the plumbing fixtures and gas line in the same location. You are already reducing the cost of construction labor by working around these existing locations. A lot of times, relocating and rotating a toilet can be costly. Always consider accessibility, type of floor, and direction of the floor joists.
7. Utilize your counter top material for your back splash. By using the same counter top material on your back splash, you can utilize most of the slab that you already purchased, and you can save on material and installation cost.
Think about it. Instead of buying tiles and hiring a tile setter to do your backsplash, the countertop fabricator and installer can do them all for you all at the same time. Less job preparation, less labor.
You can also consider installing a 4" low splash using the same counter top material, as opposed to a full splash.
8. Consider free standing appliances. Yes, built-ins or integrated appliances are very sleek, but the prices are usually $3000+ more than standard appliances. Not mentioning that most built in appliances need their own circuits. Installing wall mount hoods are less expensive than liner inserts and under cabinet hoods because they need cabinets with them. Think ahead of the game. In remodeling, most things are tied together.
9. Reuse existing materials or appliances that are still in good condition. You have to weigh this decision because you would not want to have a new space and retain an outdated element or replace your existing item in few years. Also, some items are not worth keeping or it may not comply to the current code. You have to check its existing condition. If it's fairly new, set it aside, store properly and re-install after your project.
10. Retrofit your light fixtures. If you can live with the location of your existing light fixtures, rather than opening the ceiling, relocating and rewiring for new ones, retrofit and replace the fixtures in the same location.
11. Install over an existing material. If it's not going to affect the height of the room or cabinet, rather than demolishing your existing floor, investigate if it's possible to install new floor material over it.
If it's an existing outdated brick wall on a fireplace, instead of demolishing the bricks, you can put a new surface over it like tiles, slabs, or wood planks
You will save time and labor.
12. Avoid removing a load bearing wall. If you can generate a design to open the space without touching a load bearing wall, you will be saving on engineering costs and labor.
13. Check your material source. Some materials sourced internationally or out of state are less expensive. Some materials sourced locally are more cost efficient. Do your research and be mindful of tax regulations. Watch for freight and deliveries as well.
14. Avoid the “scope creep.” Scope creep simply means going beyond your original scope of work. It’s very easy to get carried away while you are in the spirit of remodeling. However, uncontrolled scope creep can be very expensive. I recommend that you make a list of your top priorities and a list of miscellaneous items. If there is room in your budget after getting quotes from your contractor, you can slowly add the ”nice-to-have” items. Clearly define your scope of work and your budget to avoid the creepster.
Use your creativity while doing your budget. Choose some areas where you are willing to bend and compromise. If you have a limited budget, you might not have your ultimate dream space, but you can accomplish satisfaction by being wise on your decisions.
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