I’ve flipped (and helped flip) quite a few houses in my lifetime. Which means I’ve renovated a lot of kitchens over the years as well so I know how to remodel a kitchen on a budget.
I’ve picked up some pretty useful tips over the years on how to save money on kitchen remodels without compromising on quality and I’m going to share them with you!
On every home we renovate, I spend time figuring out where I could costs by DIYing instead of paying full price. I’ve come up with some pretty easy ways to save some dough when doing a kitchen remodel.
If you’re handy and I’m assuming you are or know someone who is if you’re looking to DIY at least some aspects of your kitchen remodel.
So without further ado…
How to Remodel a Kitchen on a Budget || The 4 Easy DIY Projects You Should Try
1. Purchase RTA Cabinets
Never heard of RTA cabinets? RTA cabinets are cabinets that come ready to assembly (RTA.) You can save a couple thousand just in labor costs by putting the cabinets together yourself. And trust me, anyone can assemble cabinets. It’s easier with two people but I’ve done it by myself.
Most of the cabinets I purchase are dovetailed, wood glued and then brackets are placed in all four corners. I have used RTA cabinets with cam locks but I wasn’t a huge fan because I just hate cam locks. They’re a serious pain in my ass when things don’t line up PERFECTLY.
The best part is, you aren’t “cheaping out” because for the same price as particle board or MDF cabinets you get 3/4″ plywood boxes with solid wood frames and doors! Most companies I’ve order from include soft close doors and drawers as a standard, but even if it doesn’t they almost always have the option to upgrade (usually for only a few dollars more per cabinet).. so you should upgrade.
So by purchasing RTA cabinets, you’re saving money in labor because you put the cabinets together yourself but you also get a better quality cabinet for around the same price as big box stores.
2. DIY Concrete Countertops
I don’t care if concrete countertops is “just a trend” I absolutely love them. Once you have a few of the tools you need to work with concrete (like steel finish trowel, magnesium float, screed, etc.) you can make concrete countertops on the cheap!
Just make sure you don’t go and use any old regular concrete for your counters. Concrete countertops need to be made from specially formulate concrete (usually enhanced with acrylic fibers.)
You can get some really fancy edge forms if you want to go all out from this place.
3. Install LVP (A Floating Floor)
Save money and install flooring yourself!
What’s LVP? It means luxury vinyl plank and it’s super
easy to install, it literally just clicks together! (Also, fun fact, most luxury vinyl planks are water proof or water resistant so they can be installed in bathrooms and basements too!)
LVP can also be installed over almost subfloor! There’s no need to pay someone (or spend your own time) to rip up the old vinyl, as long as it’s clean and well adhered you can go right over that floor. You can lay it right over top of tile, plywood, hardwood, laminate and more.
And don’t feel overwhelmed about having to install it… I just so happen to have an LVP tutorial just for you! You could easily save $1,200 in labor here people!
4. Buy From Build.com (*not an affiliate)
I’m seriously angry I never knew about the build.com network until last year! They have amazing prices on all kinds of fixtures for your kitchen (and lots of other rooms too.) Had I known they existed, I would have saved A LOT of time wandering the isles of the big home improvement stores!
While I love HomeDepot and Lowes, they just can’t compare to the kind of selection build.com offers. Almost any color faucet in any style you can find on there. You can buy just a kitchen sink or a kitchen sink combo (which comes with everything from the sink to the drain to the matching faucet and soap dispenser.)
They have garbage disposals, bar and prep sinks, hardware, faucets, lighting, range hoods and so on. Seriously, just go check it out.
5. (BONUS!) Invest in These Tools
Lastly, if you’re truly committed to saving money by DIYing your own projects you’re going to need some tools to do it with. Below are my recommendations for the tools needed to complete most of the projects I listed above.
Yes they’re affiliate links, but I actually own every one of the tools I listed below, so you can be sure you’re getting a good recommendation.
And the price of a new tool will definitely pay off if you’ve been renting tools. And if you’ve been borrowing tools, wouldn’t it be nice to actually have a drill at midnight on Tuesday when you needed it?
There you have it. Those are the four projects that could help answer how to remodel a kitchen on a budget. Only I always have to add DIY style to everything.
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