Remodeling a Kitchen On a Budget

Continuing our focused series this week on ideas, trends, and budget ideas for remodeling a kitchen on a budget, today we will look back at yesterday’s post and see how we can reduce our budget to two smaller price options.

When I go to sell a Costa Mesa home, the number one thing I look at is the kitchen. At the moment, it is the absolute number one item in the eyes of most buyers, and outweighs bathrooms, master bedrooms, and man caves 🙂 in what people are looking for in a Costa Mesa real estate home.

 

An Ikea kitchen is surprisingly affordable, and is a complete solution at a good price.

 

The number one quick fix for remodeling a kitchen on a budget is to paint the kitchen cabinets. If you have darker wood or even a light wood that has become dated, painting the cabinets white is an inexpensive fix that will brighten the kitchen instantly. Adding a darker oil rubbed bronze or a satin finished knobs and drawer pulls will provide a good contrast to make the kitchen look fresh and modern. Cost for these ideas? Less than $1500 including paint. This idea works especially well if you are already working with a raised panel design on your cabinets.

 

If the countertops are dated or in a state of disrepair, a quick remodeling a kitchen on a budget solution is to get new laminate countertops (they look just like a slab of granite) to replace what is currently there – cost? Depending on the size, you are looking at $750-$1500, which is less than half what granite would cost. The next best option would be to use large tile on the countertops, then next would be a solid surface.

With this plan I would highly recommend a suite of stainless steel appliances. You can easily pick up a set (dishwasher, refrigerator, range) for less than $3,000. You have to remember, many, many buyers want to buy your house and have the money for the downpayment, but simply don’t have an extra $5,000 or more after closing day. Providing them new appliances goes a long way to convince them to buy your home.

Total of our quick fixes? Less than $6,000 total. Those dollars would come back dollar for dollar when you go to sell your Costa Mesa real estate.

Looking to live in your home, and still remodeling a kitchen on a budget, and make it wonderful between those price points?

If your cabinets are good, I would always recommend painting them or the next option of refacing the cabinets. That can be done relatively inexpensively, for between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on the size of your kitchen. It’s still half of what new custom cabinets would cost to have made for your Costa Mesa kitchen.

 

The other great option is to find a pre-made cabinet maker like Ikea or find cabinets at a place like Builder’s Surplus in Santa Ana. You may think it crazy, but I once sold a home in Costa Mesa real estate that had an all white Ikea kitchen with granite and a beautiful backsplash- I couldn’t even tell the cabinets were from Ikea until the owner told me. It was really beautiful. You can definitely do an Ikea kitchen for less than $10,000 and that would include appliances.

Adding your own granite choices and a nice backsplash would take you up into the $14,000 to $15,000 range, which is half of what the entirely custom kitchen would cost for your Costa Mesa home.

Interested in remodeling ideas that pay off? I would love to talk to you! Even if you just need a good contractor reference. I can be reached at (714) 743-9882 or E-mail me here to reach me.