Saving Money On Kitchen Remodels All Boils Down To One Single Word

Knowing how much money you should allot for a kitchen remodel is a key piece of the renovation puzzle. The budget needs to be decided before you even start the project, as you'll be consulting it for every single hiring and spending decision. Ideally, we'd come out of the remodel journey without financial regrets, but the reality is often different. One of the biggest things that can poke a massive hole in your wallet is rushing the process, and so the most efficient way to save money during the kitchen renovation can be summed up in one single word: patience. 

Patience should start with the planning phase; take time to research your ideas for the new kitchen, talk to your home insurance provider about permits, and look into the market prices of the appliances you'll be replacing. Becoming well-informed takes time. The same applies to hiring contractors — make sure you're vetting them, asking about their vision for the project, looking up online reviews, and paying attention to the red flags that indicate your kitchen contractor is trying to scam you. 

If a contractor you trust doesn't have immediate availability, it's much better to wait than to hire someone you're not 100% sure of just because they have an opening. Patience will also pay off with purchasing appliances. Wait for special discounts, join retailers' newsletters, and accept that it might take a few weeks or months before you find the best price.

Renovation burnout is a very real thing. Between the overstimulating sounds, strangers in your home, a disrupted routine, and constantly having to make big decisions, it's pretty understandable that we sometimes simply run out of steam, both physically and mentally. Being mindful about cultivating patience during the reno project can help you find the necessary balance and avoid burnout. In practical terms, this looks like taking frequent breaks from the project, tracking the progress through pictures, and daydreaming about the end result. 

Being patient can also help you prioritize the most important tasks and get it all done in bite-sized pieces. If patience is somewhat of a challenge for you, one of the big things to avoid when renovating your kitchen is doing it without a support system. Connect with friends and family who have previous remodel experiences, or find a community online that can support you on the rough days. You'll also benefit immensely from hearing other people's remodel stories, reminding you that no matter how hard it is in the middle, it all ultimately gets done in the end.