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Not every homeowner can afford their “dream” kitchen renovation in San Diego, but this doesn’t mean you should put off a much-needed updated! Kitchen remodeling is an excellent way to add style and value to a home, and can mean a more functional space that everyone loves.
If you’re considering calling kitchen remodelers in San Diego but aren’t sure if you can afford your expected renovation costs, note a few tips for saving money on materials and labor. Remember to always invest in quality no matter the price and ensure your renovation is done safely, so you know you’ll end up with a new kitchen you’ll love for years to come!
Moving kitchen appliances during a San Diego kitchen renovation means added costs for the labor needed to reroute plumbing and electrical features. Moving appliances around can also mean added plumbing pipes and additional wiring, so your costs are increased for materials as well as labor!
If your current kitchen layout just doesn’t work for you, ask your contractor how you might change the layout with minimal labor involved. For instance, what if you were to pull out a set of cabinetry and make space for a new refrigerator near the sink, rather than relocating the stove as well?
Also, consider if the footprint itself is really the issue. As an example, if you removed the center island, would this make appliances and cabinetry more accessible overall? If you included a built-in bench with a table along a far wall, could you then remove the table that’s in the center of the room, or would that allow you to downsize the center island and get rid of its eating space? These simple changes are often far less expensive than reworking the room’s entire footprint.
Managing some tasks on your own is an excellent means of saving money on your renovation project, but there is some work you should always leave to a San Diego kitchen remodeling contractor. For instance, you might pull up floor tiles and remove cabinetry from the home’s walls, but be cautious about pulling out light fixtures and electrical fixtures. Working with electricity is dangerous even for experienced pros, and even more so for a homeowner!
Installing floor tiles also might seem like an easy job but improper installation techniques often means tiles pulling away from the subflooring, crooked tile lines, and uneven grout lines. Since your kitchen floor takes up so much space and is more noticeable than you might realize, it’s best to leave this task to the pros!
Along with floor tiles, installing cabinetry is also much harder than it looks! Cabinets need proper securing to wall studs and also need to be level and even, so doors don’t swing open on their own and so that items inside stay in place. Cabinetry is also typically far heavier than homeowners realize, so leave new cabinet installation to kitchen remodeling companies in San Diego rather than trying to DIY this part of your renovation project.
Custom cabinetry is an excellent choice for your kitchen renovation, as having cabinets built to your needs and specifications ensures you have all the storage you want, where you want it! However, keep in mind that store-bought cabinets often average between $60 and $200 per linear foot, while custom cabinets might start at $100 per linear foot and then go up to $500 per linear foot or more.
If you choose store-bought cabinets instead of choosing custom-made, consider how to add needed storage and organization. Slide-out shelves ensure easy storage throughout the entire cabinet space, including those hard-to-reach corners. Rotating trays also allow for quick access to items that might otherwise get lost inside cabinets!
You might also find that there are more options for store-bought cabinets than you realized, and which provide the storage you need, where it’s needed. For example, 42” upper cabinets reach the room’s ceiling, providing that added shelf at the top. Deep drawers in place of lower cabinets also allow access to those hard-to-reach areas as well as room for bulk food items and oversized pots and pans. Ask your kitchen renovation company in San Diego about your options as you might be surprised at the choices they offer!
Marble is valued for its density and durability, making it an excellent choice for countertops and flooring. However, it’s also one of the most expensive options for a kitchen remodel in San Diego! Opt for mid-range granite or quartz countertops, both of which offer durable surfaces for far less cost than marble.
A glass backsplash for a San Diego home is also an excellent choice, providing a dense and durable surface that’s easy to clean. Glass also reflects light and makes a space look bigger and brighter. Large glass panels are also sometimes far more affordable than individual tiles and other backsplash options!
If glass and ceramic tile are out of your price range, consider tin for a backsplash in a San Diego kitchen. Tin is very affordable and easy to cut and install, making it a cheap yet durable option for many homeowners. It also works well with a wide range of materials including ceramic, stainless steel, and wood.
One last suggestion for saving money on your San Diego kitchen renovation; ask your contractor! Contractors know that homeowners don’t always have unlimited budgets for any home renovation project and are keen to help them save money wherever and whenever possible. They may even have a few ideas you had not considered or can offer suggestions for getting the end result you want but at far less cost than you expected.
As an example, San Diego kitchen remodel companies might be in touch with appliance manufacturers, so they’re informed of closeouts and other such sales. They might know where and how to obtain reclaimed or remnant materials such as granite or floor tile, for far less cost than new materials. Whatever the case, they can often help you afford your kitchen renovation in San Diego so you’re happy with both the results and the cost!