Top tips on how to redo your kitchen without breaking the bank
Investing in a new kitchen is a sure way to add value to your home. But with the credit crunch starting to bite, we’ll show you how to create a beautiful new design without spending a lot of money.
diy
The easiest way to save money is to do as many of the adjustments yourself as possible.
Cabinets:
Installing them yourself can save you hundreds of pounds in installation costs.
Countertops: You can install tile, laminate, and wood countertops yourself, but you’ll need an installer who specializes in granite, marble, stone, and glass.
Flats: This is one way to really save money. Vinyl tile, ceramic tile, wood and laminate flooring are relatively easy to install.
Plumbing: If you’re a confident DIYer, you should be able to install your sink and faucets, especially if you haven’t needed to move any plumbing from your old schematic. However, if the plumbing needs to be moved, it’s best to call in the professionals.
Painting, wallpaper – this is the simplest task and an easy way to save a couple of days on labor costs.
Backsplash – If you are using tile for your backsplash, this is another way to save money by doing the work yourself.
reuse appliances
Appliances are often the most expensive items in a kitchen. If the old ones are in good shape, consider reinstalling them in the new layout, or just replace the ones that are on display, like the countertop.
If you need to buy appliances, be sure to search the internet and high street for the best deals. It is often cheaper to get the appliances yourself, rather than letting the kitchen design company do it for you. And if you’re shopping for new appliances, be sure to invest in energy efficient models that will save you money on running costs in the future. The Energy Saving Trust has a complete list of appliances and their energy ratings to help you choose.
Consider a face lift
If the basic design of your kitchen is solid, you can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen by updating a few key elements. Replacing an old laminate countertop with a new granite countertop, for example, will make a big impact. You can also freshen up tile backsplashes by painting them with special tile paint.
If you have solid wood cabinets, sanding and repainting them is a quick and easy way to achieve a striking new look at a fraction of the cost of replacing them. Even small touches, like replacing outdated cabinet handles with new ones, will make a difference.
If you don’t think anything in your old kitchen is worth saving, make sure you spend your money in the right places. You can use inexpensive cabinet frames with more expensive doors and consider installing an inexpensive sink and spending the money on fancier countertops.
Research and Funding
The Internet is a great place to find discount appliances, cabinets, and accessories, so be sure to spend time researching all the options available. Kitchen suppliers run sales several times a year, so it’s always worth keeping sale prices. Use sites like Kelcoo to locate the cheapest prices available on appliances.
When it comes to financing, with interest rates so low right now, the cheapest way to borrow money is often to extend your mortgage. If this isn’t possible, look into zero- or low-interest credit card offers, which also often give you the added peace of mind of having insurance in case your kitchen supplier goes bankrupt. Low-cost loans can be a good way to borrow money, but beware of hidden payment protection insurance offers that cost more than the interest itself. The most important thing to remember is to get your finances in place before you buy, and don’t rush into financial offers provided by the kitchen supplier without first researching alternatives.
Finally, remember that kitchen suppliers will also suffer in the recession, so it pays to haggle. Getting two quotes from two different providers and comparing them to each other is often a good way to save money on the cost of your kitchen.