How to Keep the Costs of Your Renovation Down

Are you avoiding a renovation because they always go over budget? Well guess what? They don’t have to! There are ways you can keep costs down and still get the look you’re going for! We’re currently designing a few kitchens here in Western Mass and Northern Connecticut. It’s fun because they’re all totally different and each client has different wants and needs. So we get to help our clients put their money towards the things that are most important to them. If you read our blog about How to Get the Kitchen of Your Dreams, then you know that you need to account for your investment BEFORE starting your project. It’ll help you determine what type of fixtures, finishes and appliances to buy in advance. Whether it’s a kitchen or a bathroom, if you need to save some money, consider these top five things to keep down the costs of your renovation.

First – Opt for prefabricated cabinets
You can choose prefab cabinets instead of custom cabinets! You can still get what you want with stock cabinets! The only difference is that they’re not custom built to your kitchen’s specifications. But believe it or not, the kitchen in the photos below is built from prefab Kraftmaid cabinets! They were able to get the storage they were looking for at a reasonable price point. Once you start getting into custom cabinets, the pricing goes WAY up.

You can dress up those prefab cabinets with some gorgeous hardware. Think of it as jewelry for your kitchen! You can make as much or as little of a statement as you want with new, updated hardware. Check out these below. They add a nice touch of class to these deep brown cabinets. And they’re chrome, which is more cost effective as you’ll read next. Also, read HERE if you’re stuck on what type of countertop to put on your new cabinets!

Second – Choose chrome finishes
Go for chrome fixtures instead of brushed nickel, black, etc. When you’re buying a full shower trim package, they can get pretty pricey. Chrome can help keep those costs down! Any fixtures in chrome are significantly less than other finish options. It’ll still look updated when paired with other updated fixtures and finishes! We did just that in the bathroom below. We used chrome throughout the entire bathroom and it looks amazing!

Third – Choose an easy install tile layout
Plan an easy tile layout instead of herringbone or a complicated pattern. You’ll save money on labor and on materials. When you do a pattern, you need to purchase more tile than normal to account for additional waste. There’s a lot more cutting involved and it’s significantly more labor to install. So, if you’re looking to cut costs, choose an easy, straightforward layout.

Fourth – Go with paint
This one may be obvious, but choosing paint instead of wallpaper will keep your costs down as well. First of all, wallpaper is much more expensive than paint, and then the labor to install the wallpaper is more than having a painter come in and put a fresh coat of paint on. There are thousands of paint colors to choose from. If you’re working with us, or any other interior designer, we’ll help you find just the right paint colors for your space, so you know that you’ve got the undertones right and everything will work together perfectly.

Lastly – Keep your layout
If you keep your existing plumbing layout this can save you tons. When you start moving things around, that’s when you tack on additional costs. It’s much easier, and much less labor intensive, to just replace your existing plumbing fixtures when they’re in the same locations. Even just updating them will make a huge difference in the room. Just like the chrome finishes, new plumbing fixtures will add a fresh, new look, especially when paired with other new fixtures and finishes.

Those are our top five ways to save money on your renovation! Prefab cabinets, chrome fixtures, easy tile layout, paint and not moving your plumbing. Of course, there are a ton of other considerations that could change your investment, flooring, countertop material, and on and on. There really is a ton to consider. Which is exactly why I told a client just this morning that you should really meet with a designer FIRST before embarking down the renovation rabbit hole. We’ll help you narrow down your selections and work on a plan along WITH your contractor, so that you are getting the most for your money!

Hopefully these tips will make renovating not seem as daunting as it initially does! We do have an extensive Kitchen Questionnaire that you can use if you’re planning a kitchen renovation. It’ll get your mind going and help you narrow down your wants, needs and dreams. You can pick that up by clicking HERE. And if you are still stuck and want to work with an interior designer, we’re here to help! Regardless of where you live, we can still work together! Take a look HERE to read more about that!

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