Contents
How to Cut Remodeling Costs
Your choices can save money or squander it
A major remodel requires hundreds of decisions. And every one of those decisions affects the cost—some in big ways, some in small ways. Here’s some pro advice for making cost-conscious choices.
Get bids during the slow season
Most building trades cycle through busy seasons—and busy periods are the worst times to get bids. You’ll get less attention and higher quotes. Slow periods, on the other hand, often bring better service and lower costs, even if the work isn’t done during that period. Here are some slow seasons for various trades:
- Roofing: Cold or rainy months
- Heating: Late summer, before fall
- Air conditioning: Late winter, early spring
- Architects and designers: Fall and winter
- Remodeling contractors: Winter and rainy months
Avoid moving the plumbing
Plumbers are expensive. And since their projects often require tearing into walls or floors, they create more work for other trades, too. So moving the sink to the other end of the bathroom may cost you dearly. Changing the layout of a kitchen is even more expensive because moving appliances means running new gas and electrical lines as well as plumbing.
The BIG mistake
Too many homeowners plan a remodel with special occasions in mind and neglect the practical day-to-day considerations. The result is a home that impresses guests, but isn’t convenient for everyday living. This usually means expensive materials and higher up-front costs, followed by regrets later.
Keep the old fridge, but…
Keeping your appliances is a great way to defer costs until your wallet is replenished. But talk to your contractors and appliance pros to make sure you’re prepared for replacements. A cabinet installer, for example, can include a movable shelf and wide filler strips so you can install a larger fridge with only minor alterations.
Leave measurements to the pros
Measuring mistakes are costly and common, especially for cabinets, countertops and windows. So if you find a bargain at an outlet center, remember this: If you measure and buy yourself, you alone will bear the cost of mistakes. And often, those bargain cabinets ended up at an outlet store because someone else mismeasured.
Set up a temporary kitchen
Ordering pizza while your kitchen is out of commission might blow your remodeling budget. Instead, set up a kitchen in your laundry room. You already have a sink there, so all you really need are a few small appliances: a microwave, coffeemaker, maybe a hot plate or “dorm room” fridge. Add some shelving and a towel bar and you’ll have a functional place to prepare those cost-cutting mac-and-cheese dinners.
Renew cabinets
Cabinets are the largest single item on many kitchen remodeling bids. But most cabinets can be refreshed, even if they’re in terrible shape.
Paint
A good painting contractor can make old cabinets look great, often for about one-tenth the cost of new cabinets. If you’re willing to do some research and tedious prep work, you can do it yourself and save much more.
Reface
Refacing starts with a layer of real wood veneer applied to the frames. Add new doors and drawer fronts, and the cabinets look entirely new. The bill is typically less than half the cost of new cabinets.