According to the Houzz & Home Renovation Trends Study 2021, renovators are spending an average of $15,000 on a kitchen remodel. While this number is down significantly from previous years (it has been as high as $20,000 in 2018), it’s still well beyond many people’s budget.
The good news is that this is an average renovation cost. As such, it takes into account everything from the smallest to the largest renovations and every grade of finish. So while this provides a good indication of how much a renovation could cost, it is possible to do it cheaper.
Here we look at what a budget kitchen renovation usually costs and where that money is best spent.
How cheap is cheap?
Ultimately, your renovation budget will be determined by two things – the size of the space and the quality of the finishes. As such, it’s impossible to give a set cost for a budget kitchen renovation.
That being said, in our experience, a budget of $10,000 should be enough for smaller kitchen remodels. In fact, a partial update could cost as little as $5,000, depending on what needs to be done. And, obviously, the more work you do yourself, the more you can keep the cost down. Partial remodels are not always the most efficient. While they might improve aesthetics they won’t help with functionality or flow.
It’s also worth noting that when you’re planning a kitchen remodel, it’s usually better to think in terms of value than cost. While there are plenty of cheap kitchen products, these are often poorly constructed or made from lower-quality materials. As such, they generally won’t stand up to regular everyday use and could cost you more in the long run.
Where does the money go?
When remodelling a kitchen, the main expenses you will need to plan for include:
- New cabinetry: Given this is most of the kitchen’s infrastructure, it’s understandable that this is also usually the biggest cost. However, sticking to standard sizes and shapes should help minimise the expense.
- New benchtops: Depending on the material chosen and the length of benchtop required, this can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to a few thousand.
- New appliances: Obviously, keeping your existing appliances will save you money, but most renovators believe a new kitchen deserves new appliances.
Depending on the work you are undertaking, you may also need to pay for new lighting, tiles, paint, and tapware. You will also need to factor in the cost of your trades, as things like plumbing and electrical will need to be done by a licensed professional.
How do you keep the cost down?
When remodelling a kitchen on a limited budget, there are a few simple tricks to making your money stretch further. These include:
- Leaving the layout as is: Moving services can be quite expensive, so leaving your sink and cooktop in the same place will provide significant savings. Also, as flooring is often laid last, moving your cabinetry could mean needing to redo your flooring.
- Planning ahead: Having all your materials onsite and ready to go when they’re needed can help you save both time and money. Also, most suppliers will have big sales at least once a year, where you can get your materials much cheaper.
- Staggering your trades: Keeping tradies waiting around is a massive waste of money. Instead, minimise the risk of delays by planning your trades logically and avoiding overlaps.
- Seeking out discounted goods: Some suppliers specialise in providing materials at a significant discount because they have imperfections or are slightly damaged. This is particularly true for kitchen appliances.
Need help planning your budget kitchen renovation?
If you’d like to update your kitchen, but need to do it on the cheap, give Smart Kitchen a call. We are budget kitchen renovation specialists and experts in creating designer looks for a fraction of the price. We also provide a free design consultation service, and our experienced team can help you get the most for your renovation dollar.