5 Kitchen Remodelling Mistakes That Can Blow Your Budget
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so when it comes time to remodel, it makes sense to make it count. But making it count can make it very easy for even the most cost-conscious remodellers to go over budget. If you think it’s just a matter of choosing cheaper countertops or appliances, you’re just scratching the surface.
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to do things right, you just have to make sure you avoid a few key mistakes.
1. Setting An Unrealistic Budget
Failing to set a realistic budget at the outset is the surest way to go over it. Depending on the size of your kitchen and the scope of work, a cosmetic refresh — refacing, but not replacing, cabinets; painting; updating hardware or fixtures; a modest new backsplash or countertop — could be done in the range of $10,000. But beyond that, a full remodel of a larger kitchen could go run well over $150,000, especially when you begin to make structural changes to the layout.
We recommend working with a professional at the beginning to establish a clear scope, including material selections and finishes, and then getting the right contractor to manage the process.
As a starting point, if you’re doing a cosmetic refresh, a good minimum threshold would be about $100 per square foot; if you are taking things down to the studs but not changing the layout, double it; if you are changing the layout or planning for high-end appliances and custom millwork, double it again.
2. Leaving “Contingencies” Out of the Budget
Water damage, code violations/upgrades, electrical or plumbing issues — one survey found that these “hidden issues” became a factor in nearly half of all kitchen remodels, resulting in a budget overrun of 22% on average. That means for every $4 spent on their new kitchen, half of people spent an extra $1 fixing a problem they weren’t expecting to fix.
These are unfortunate but unavoidable realities. The best way to avoid the shock of one is to price it in your initial budget. We recommend a 20% buffer for cost overruns.
3. Changing Your Mind
A kitchen remodel is a process, which means there are several moving parts that need to be coordinated in sequence. Demolition must precede plumbing and electrical work which precedes flooring, which precedes cabinet installation, which precedes countertops, etc.
Changing any of these elements mid-project leads to delays and shifted timeframes, more expensive orders for replacement materials, and more. One estimate suggested that change work orders inflated project costs by 10%. If you can avoid it, avoid it.
4. An Open-Ended Scope
Projects have a way of multiplying. “While we’re doing this, we might as well do this…” and all of a sudden, painting becomes additional trim work, new doors, etc. It may make sense to do that work, but it is a good idea to plan for it at the outset to avoid disruptions.
This creep can also happen with third parties. Perhaps they couldn’t find a specific drywall thickness, appliance, etc., so it is swapped for something more expensive; your contractor or subcontractor is pulled away to another project and now your remodel is taking more time and more money. Establish a clear scope of work at the beginning, including ordering your cabinets, counters, appliances, etc. and try not to deviate from the plan unless absolutely necessary.
5. Non-Priority Luxury & Custom Work
We at Selba are the first ones to appreciate the craftsmanship of custom cabinetry and the usefulness of modules inside for keeping your kitchen organized. We know you may have been dreaming of that Le Cornue range long before you began your kitchen remodel, or maybe you have your eye on a beautiful granite counter. We get it.
But these costs add up very quickly, and frankly, many of them do not pay the dividends that many people imagine they will. Natural stone requires extra care that may not make sense in a home with children, for example, and many ultra-high end appliances don’t contribute to your home’s value. Pick and choose what is most important to you and what will work best with your lifestyle and build it into you budget from the start.
Are you thinking of remodelling your kitchen? Visit our Vaughan showroom to talk to our team of experts to find out how we can deliver your dream kitchen — on budget — today.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so when it comes time to remodel, it makes sense to make it count. But making it count can make it very easy for even the most cost-conscious remodellers to go over budget. If you think it’s just a matter of choosing cheaper countertops or appliances, you’re just scratching the surface.
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to do things right, you just have to make sure you avoid a few key mistakes.
1. Setting An Unrealistic Budget
Failing to set a realistic budget at the outset is the surest way to go over it. Depending on the size of your kitchen and the scope of work, a cosmetic refresh — refacing, but not replacing, cabinets; painting; updating hardware or fixtures; a modest new backsplash or countertop — could be done in the range of $10,000. But beyond that, a full remodel of a larger kitchen could run well over $150,000 especially when you begin to make structural changes to the layout.
We recommend working with a professional at the beginning to establish a clear scope, including material selections and finishes, and then getting the right contractor to manage the process.
As a starting point, if you’re doing a cosmetic refresh, a good minimum threshold would be about $100 per square foot; if you are taking things down to the studs but not changing the layout, double it; if you are changing the layout or planning for high-end appliances and custom millwork, double it again.
2. Leaving “Contingencies” Out of the Budget
Water damage, code violations/upgrades, electrical or plumbing issues — one survey found that these “hidden issues” became a factor in nearly half of all kitchen remodels, resulting in a budget overrun of 22% on average. That means for every $4 spent on their new kitchen, half of people spent an extra $1 fixing a problem they weren’t expecting to fix.
These are unfortunate but unavoidable realities. The best way to avoid the shock of one is to price it in in your initial budget. We recommend a 20% buffer for cost overruns.
3. Changing Your Mind
A kitchen remodel is a process, which means there are several moving parts that need to be coordinated in sequence. Demolition must precede plumbing and electrical work, which precedes flooring, which precedes cabinet installation, which precedes countertops, etc.
Changing any of these elements mid-project leads to delays and shifted timeframes, more expensive orders for replacement materials, and more. One estimate suggested that change work orders inflated project costs by 10%. If you can avoid it, avoid it.
4. An Open-Ended Scope
Projects have a way of multiplying. “While we’re doing this, we might as well do this…” and all of a sudden, painting becomes additional trim work, new doors, etc. It may make sense to do that work, but it is a good idea to plan for it at the outset to avoid disruptions.
This creep can also happen with third parties. Perhaps they couldn’t find a specific drywall thickness, appliance, etc., so it is swapped for something more expensive; your contractor or subcontractor is pulled away to another project and now your remodel is taking more time and more money. Establish a clear scope of work at the beginning, including ordering your cabinets, counters, appliances, etc. and try not to deviate from the plan unless absolutely necessary.
5. Non-Priority Luxury & Custom Work
We at Selba are the first ones to appreciate the craftsmanship of custom cabinetry and the usefulness of modules inside for keeping your kitchen organized. We know you may have been dreaming of that Le Cornue range long before you began your kitchen remodel, or maybe you have your eye on a beautiful granite counter. We get it.
But these costs add up very quickly, and frankly, many of them do not pay the dividends that many people imagine they will. Natural stone requires extra care that may not make sense in a home with children, for example, and many ultra-high end appliances don’t contribute to your home’s value. Pick and choose what is most important to you and what will work best with your lifestyle and build it into your budget from the start.
Are you thinking of remodelling your kitchen? Visit our Vaughan showroom to talk to our team of experts to find out how we can deliver your dream kitchen — on budget — today.
