Anyone who has ever spent an afternoon flipping through an interior design magazine has no doubt spent time wondering how much it would cost to turn their current humdrum kitchen into one worthy of its own magazine spread. If their curiosity is sufficiently aroused they may even do some checking into the matter. Usually what they find is enough to deter any further thoughts of renovating the kitchen, but does the process really have to be cost prohibitive?
Justin Pierce over at the washingtonpost.com website has an interesting piece about steps you can take to avoid the high cost of kitchen renovation. He begins with this unpleasant fact:
According to Remodeling magazine, the national average for a full kitchen remodel is $54,909. I have never been able to get my mind wrapped around this, considering that the national median income is only around $51,000.
Those sort of numbers put things into perspective in a hurry don’t they? The fact that the average renovation costs more than the average person earns in a year is stunning and makes you realize why so many homeowners hold off on remodeling their kitchens. But are his numbers accurate? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be “yes”. Bhg.com states that an upscale renovation can top $75,000, houzz.com puts the cost of a moderately deluxe renovation at between $40,000 and $75,000 and fixr.com chimes in with their estimate of $57,000.
So now that we’ve all joined Mr. Pierce in having a hard time getting our heads around the high cost of kitchen renovation in Toronto, the next logical step is to ask: What can be done to keep costs down?
Pierce recommends a detailed, patient approach which begins with examining potential layouts for your renovated kitchen to find ways to eliminate expenses, such as:
Avoid moving plumbing and electrical items if possible — at least try to keep your stove (especially gas stoves) and sink in the same location. Moving a gas stove will require relocating gas lines and moving your sink plumbing can create additional problems. They also require additional permits and time.
He also suggests being sensible when it comes to selecting countertop materials:
Granite is granite so there is no significant quality difference in the stone. You can easily pick a $20 a square foot granite and get the same look as a $45 a square foot granite.
Furthermore he suggests that, unless you have some compelling reason to chase top of the line appliances, you take a half-step down on the brand name ladder when it comes to things like your stove and refrigerator. And he is a firm believer that there are deals to be had in flooring if you’re willing to shop around.
Proper Kitchen Renovation Requires Properly Trained Professionals
One of his final suggestions is perhaps the most important one: make sure you find the right contractor. The right contractor can turn your kitchen renovation project into a smooth, relatively painless operation that results in you getting exactly what you want at a fair price, just as surely as the wrong contractor can result in your project being abandoned halfway through when funds run out to cover all the contractor’s cost overruns. The contracting landscape is littered with vaguely qualified, and even totally unqualified, fly by night operators who will be happy to drop a lowball bid in your lap and then start playing games once you’ve signed on. Don’t be fooled, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Karen Homes: We Get Kitchen Renovation Right Every Time
Countless homeowners in the Greater Toronto Area have discovered the difference the renovation professionals from Karen Homes can make on any basement, bathroom or kitchen renovation project. They’ve made us the go-to company for quality work at an affordable price and we’re proud of that fact. When you trust Karen Homes to handle your remodeling project you can be certain the design will be eye-opening, our craftsmen will treat you and every corner of your property with respect and the price will be fair.
We leave the game playing to others and concentrate instead on bringing your dreams to life and creating one more satisfied customer. Call us today on 416-661-6006 and experience the difference working with qualified, experienced professionals can make.