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Many of our customers at Monumental Contractors are surprised when we offer alternatives to the fanciest, most expensive materials and renovation ideas. Yes, we’re a business, but our business is people and we care more about making dreams come true than making more money at the expense of our customers. I know we've written a lot about Kitchen remodels, but this blog is dedicated to finding the 3 best kitchen remodel ideas on a budget.
What Does “On a Budget” Mean?
Whether you look at a home renovation company or a department store, you’ve probably seen signs and advertisements about getting the most product out of the smallest budgets.
The problem with the term budget shopping is it’s too relative to define universally. For example, my income is different from yours, so we will have different budgets to consider for remodels. When Monumental uses the term budget remodeling, we don’t mean that you’re getting low quality goods that just look the part.
We wouldn’t be as respected in the industry if that’s how we handled our remodels. Instead, we use our connections in the D.C. area to find the services that you need/want for the lowest price. For example, if your kitchen countertops are old and you want updated countertops that you can be proud of, you don’t have to pay higher prices for granite or marble.
There are few different methods to saving money on kitchen countertops and still have a beautiful kitchen. According to Home Advisor, the 2 biggest costs for kitchen countertops are materials and labor.
1. Use a slab countertop and you could save up to 50% versus tile countertops. Slabs are heavier and may take extra contractors to get it installed, but it’s easier for our contractors since there is no customization needed.
2. Anytime our contractors can spend 3-6 hours less, you save money. Use prefabricated countertops instead of custom countertops. This can save you an additional 50% on materials.
3. Use more affordable materials such as a laminate or acrylic. Laminate can be installed (with labor) for about $60-$70 per square foot. Acrylic can be installed for about $20-$70 (with labor).
I would choose the laminate countertop because it’s the most affordable material you can use for a countertop. Even in our area, Monumental Contractors can install a beautiful laminate countertop (55 square foot) for less than $2,000.
Laminate is also eco-friendly and made of different layers of recycled paper with a resin covering on top for the shiny appearance and streamlined feel.
The cool thing about acrylic is that it can be made to look like almost any surface, including granite, marble, or quartz. You can get a 55 square foot acrylic countertop installed for more than 60% less than custom granite or marble. I think acrylic looks and feels better than laminate, but you could end up spending $1,000 more if you want one of the awesome designs our contractors can get you.
People are often surprised as to how much a fresh paint job improves the feng shui and appearance of a kitchen. When we talk about saving money and getting the biggest bang for your buck, a professional paint job is it.
I normally would recommend painting your kitchen as a DIY project, but that was until I found out that some paint requires intense chemical stripping to remove from the walls. If you’re unable to safely remove the old paint, lacquer, and stains on the walls, it doesn’t matter if you cover it with the most expensive paint on earth.
One of the things I didn’t understand until my painter informed me was how important it was to ensure your walls are evenly primed. If you’ve ever walked into a room and you noticed different walls had different shades, even though the same color was used, it’s normally a priming issue.
In the D.C., NOVA area, you can expect to spend as much as $3,000 on a 10’x10’ kitchen. However, there are ways to help cut down the costs with a professional paint job. I Have 3 ideas for you to spend as low as $500 on a professional paint job.
I don’t see as many new homes with white paint in kitchens because people feel that the stains of food from cooking will show easier. I don’t blame anyone for this misunderstanding, but our contractors at Monumental have some of the best and affordable finishes that prevent anything from sticking to the walls.
I know most people see the word vinyl and are turned off faster than some of the things we see on the metro in our area. However, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing if you do it right and have someone guide you through the best options.
LVP can be installed in your kitchen for as low $5.00 per square foot, but closer to $8 per square foot in NOVA, including labor. Ask our contractors about what LVP can do for your kitchen. Average cost for a mid size 10’x10’ kitchen is only about $1,500 with LVP and it offers the look and feel of natural hardwood.
There are a few big reasons why LVP is so popular in the home renovation market. LVP is scratch-proof, water-proof, and stain-proof. Everything you’d want in a kitchen floor is accomplished with LVP and it’s 50% cheaper than any hardwood or granite.
LVP is affordable, easy to install, and looks incredible with some of the faux wood designs. LVP doesn’t require contractors to nail or screw down the planks, so it’s less labor and is very easy to replace damaged pieces.
Conclusion
There are so many different ways to bring up the value of your home during a renovation, but we understand that not everyone has the money required to get the most expensive building materials. Here at Monumental Contractors, we pride ourselves on always working within our clients' budgets to get the best possible renovation possible.
Renovating your countertops with laminate or acrylic, and flooring with LVP gives you a modern look for a fraction of the price of stone and hardwood. A fresh coat of paint opens up your room to feel bigger and more welcoming. Renovations can get expensive, but remodeling these 3 things in your kitchen will save you thousands and make your kitchen feel like a million bucks.
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