A kitchen remodel is a wonderful time to update appliances and really let your personality show. In the end your kitchen will reflect how you and your family live. Luckily, there are no hard fast rules on how the budget should be spend. It will be entirely up to you on which elements to splurge on and which elements to save on. It depends on what is most important to you.
You and Your Kitchen
A gourmet cook might justify an inflated budget on appliances or splurging on a professional range, while an entertainer things like a warming drawer or wine cooler a much more important necessity. Busy families will need more storage in the form of cabinet space. Then there is always the question of resale. Are you at all concerned on getting a return on your investments? Or are you making these changes just to please you and your family in the present.
When considering a kitchen remodel and when planning out the budget for it, you will want to consider just how you use your kitchen most. Put your money in kitchen elements that will benefit you and your goals.
The Long Haul
The good news about remaining in a house for a long period of time is that you can make some changes over a long period of time. For instance if you do not have money for certain materials right now, say a granite counter top, then you can always use “placeholders” in your remodel. This is the practice of using a less expensive material for a project with the intention of going back later and replacing it with the other more expensive material you actually want.
Just because you can’t do everything you want all at once, is no reason not to do some of what you want now.
Appliances: Splurge or Save?
What you spend on appliances should be balanced out with what you spend on cabinetry. If you choose appliances without considering the cabinetry plan or budget you could get boxed in both in budget and in floor plan. Appliances and cabinetry must work together to ensure that everything fits nicely.
When purchasing appliances also consider which appliances must be replaced frequently. For instance a refrigerator must be replaced every 15 years or so while a range will last much longer.
Countertops: Splurge or Save?
If you intend for your counter tops to be a focal point of your kitchen then you might choose to spend more here. Stone countertops do cost more than laminate but they add beauty, quality and longevity to your kitchen which cannot be matched. Even though stone countertops are considered a costly investment, there are different grades of granite which can help you cut a few budgeting corners. There are also different options when it comes to granite versus quartz or other materials.
Cabinetry: Splurge or Save?
Often cabinetry will have hidden costs bundled in with the actual cost of the cabinets. These costs can include taxes, delivery, and installation. Fancy extras like fitting out a Lazy Susan for a corner cabinet can add hundred more to your budget than you intended. Understanding all of these extras and then choosing carefully which ones are important and which ones are not can help you keep cabinetry cost under control.
You should definitely splurge on a waste recycling center in your cabinets. As this is one of the few ways to keep unsightly garbage from being an eye sore.
You do not necessarily need to splurge or fancy veneers and finishes as they often do not make that big of a difference in the appearance or longevity of the cabinets.
You should splurge on professional installation as this will save you a world of trouble and time. With professional installation you can be sure the cabinets are installed safely and properly.
If you would like to learn more about kitchen remodel options for your home, give us a call today.
