Renovating your kitchen is a big job and a considerable investment. As with any renovation, it is incredibly important to establish what results you want and of course, what you can afford. You should always set a budget and stick to it, otherwise, costs can easily run out of control.
When budgeting for your kitchen renovation you will need to consider the obvious factors such as the kitchen units and worktops, but there are plenty of other additional costs that you should factor in to make sure you get the kitchen you want, for the price you want.
Keep reading to find out what you should budget for in your kitchen renovation.
Labour
Unless you are a DIY aficionado, you will most likely not want to fit a new kitchen yourself, so you should allow for labour costs to remove and fit your new kitchen. Most kitchen suppliers offer a fitting service if you buy from them, which usually comes at an additional cost, but they may offer a warranty service if there are any issues with the installation. However, you can also opt to source the labourers yourself, but be sure to get at least three independent quotes and where possible go with a recommendation. Finding your own kitchen fitters can be more cost-effective, but it is also time-consuming and you will not have warranty coverage if anything goes wrong.
Tiles
When you are choosing your new kitchen it is easy to get carried away with the layout, cupboard gimmicks and overlook the finishing touches. It is so often the case when people are fitting a new kitchen that they forget to allow a cost for new tiles. Although they don’t have to be the biggest outlay, allowing a certain proportion of your budget to get the tiles you want is definitely worthwhile. It makes little sense to invest so much money on a new kitchen and not have the best-looking finishing touches to really give it that wow factor. Again, you will need to factor in labour costs for laying the tiles too.
Appliances
You may not need to upgrade your appliances as they are relatively new and will fit the new style of your kitchen. However, if you are looking to replace them so it all ties together, then be sure to include funds for replacing them in your budget. Before you decide on your kitchen design, do your homework and shop around for the best deals on cookers, fridge-freezers, dishwashers and washing machines. If you are on a tight budget there are always options with refurbished appliances or second-hand deals.
Added Extras
The modern kitchen design comes with plenty of modern devices for space-saving, funky storage or better functionality. When you are designing your kitchen it is easy to get carried away with the added extras that come with your kitchen. The added extras are designed to help you maximise your storage space, sort your rubbish correctly or just look good, but be sure to calculate the additional costs and weigh up the absolute necessity before you sign on the bottom line. That way you won’t get a nasty surprise when you come to pay for it.
Fixtures and Fittings
To really tie the room together, you will most likely want to consider some new fixtures and fittings. Whether you want to maximise the light in your kitchen with some new spots lights, under cabinet lighting or get new kitchen blinds or curtains for a modern look ensure you have enough cash available.
Accessories
Naturally, with a brand new kitchen, you are going want to spend a little bit on finishing touches, whether it is treating yourself to a luxury twin-set kettle and toaster or some new oven gloves, it is always surprising how small accessories can easily accumulate to a hefty sum if not kept in check.
Plastering & Decorating
One other thing a lot of people do not factor into their budget allowance is plastering and decorating. Inevitably when you are tearing out an old kitchen and fitting a new one the walls are likely to get damaged and need touching up in parts. This could be as straightforward as a lick of paint once the tiles are on, or it could be that you need a new plaster finish too.
As with any renovation, there are always unforeseen expenses, so it is always a wise idea to have a little bit extra in your budget for any unexpected costs that may crop up.
