Kitchen Remodeling: Saving Money On Cabinets

One of the most expensive aspects of kitchen remodeling can be replacing the cabinets. While not always a component of a job, it is typically one of the first things a homeowner looks at when they want to redesign the kitchen area. Purchasing new cabinets can run into the many hundreds of dollars, which may be fine, depending on your designing budget. However, if you're looking to cut costs and do your project on the cheap, you might want to start by removing some of the high-end purchase options in the cabinet department. You can find ways to replace those cabinets while still leaving plenty of money for the rest of your renovations.

The first thing you need to do is take accurate measurements of your existing cabinets and the available space you have for the new ones. One of the most common mistakes a homeowner makes when getting into kitchen remodeling is failing to complete this step. Certainly, few people go out and make purchases without doing cursory measurements, but these measurements must be thorough if you want to come home with something that will fit.

Following your measurements, sit down and create a list of the things you want in a new set of cabinets. If looking through catalogs helps you compile this list, then you can do so, but you may be better off if you start with your own imagination. Catalogs have a way of getting in your head, telling you that you need a bunch of features that you could easily live without. If you aren't susceptible to this kind of marketing, then by all means use a catalog or a home improvement store to help you come up with some ideas. If you are, however, just think of the basics. Think about why this kitchen-remodeling job needs to be done in the first place. Concentrate your desires on things that will address the existing problems, rather than finding new and exciting features that you could have easily gone your whole life without missing.

If you're doing your kitchen-remodeling job through a contractor, they can act as a valuable resource for you when it comes to picking out the right cabinets. They have the experience necessary to make determinations that can be difficult for the uninformed. Find a good contractor that is as interested in collaborating with you creatively as they are about simply doing the labor or putting in one of their prefabricated designs.

Finally, it's often the little things that can save you the most money. Finding cabinets that are unvarnished and even un-sanded will mean being able to purchase them for far less money. It will mean more labor on your part, but if you have the time and the inclination, it could very well be worth it to your bottom line.

Article Tags: Kitchen Remodeling