3 Tips to make your kitchen remodel more affordable:

1. RETAIN THE SAME LAYOUT

Don’t move any existing plumbing if possible, Starmer says. Moving a sink to the opposite wall could mean pulling up your kitchen floor to move the drain line, for example. The same goes for relocating electric or gas ranges, which often add a full day of labor.

2. KEEP IT SIMPLE

If new cabinets are a must-have, choose ready-to-assemble or stock models instead of custom options. And resist fancy add-ons like cabinet and drawer dividers, vertical spice racks, and countertop garages. “As lovely as these things may be, they add a hefty expense when you’re on a budget,” Starmer says.

Use a similar approach with appliances: Efficient, mass-market products often cost less than their professional-grade counterparts without sacrificing performance or appeal.

3. DO A LITTLE YOURSELF

If you have the time, tools and know-how, doing parts of your kitchen remodel yourself can trim the cost. For example:

• Remove old cabinets, countertops or appliances before the contractor arrives to reduce labor and disposal costs
• Pick up materials instead of having them delivered to eliminate delivery fees
• Paint walls or door and window frames on your own rather than paying someone else

Be sure to share your DIY aspirations with potential contractors to find out if they’re comfortable leaving some parts of the job to you.

source:nerdwallet