Dream
Remodel, Real-Life Budget
Just because your remodeling budget
is small doesn't mean you have to give up your big remodeling
ideas. You can still have the perfect new kitchen, bathroom, or
basement - you just have to choose your options carefully.
Follow these insider tips to realize a dream remodel or addition
on a realistic budget.
- Use laminate flooring
instead of hardwood.
Hardwood flooring is very popular, but it can also be quite
expensive. To save money on new flooring, but to preserve
the look of hardwoods, consider installing laminate wood
flooring. Laminate wood flooring is easy to install because,
unlike conventional solid wood, it's prefinished and may be
glued down or applied over a thin foam paid laid on the
subfloor. Some types are even adhesive-backed. Another
laminate flooring option that has become very popular is the
grouted tile look. And, you never have to worry about the
"grout" looking dingy.
- Don't replace, refinish.
If your cabinets are in good condition, consider refinishing
rather than replacing them. This cost-effective measure
provides a whole new look in your kitchen or bathroom
without the major expense. Changing the hardware can also
update your cabinets at a very small cost.
If your appliances still work well, but you can't stand
the avocado green, you can also refinish these in a new
color. If you have mismatched appliances, refinishing is
also an economical way to create an updated, unifying look.
- Choose neutral colors.
When selecting your appliances, cabinets or countertops,
choose neutral colors such as almond or white. These are
much less expensive than custom colors and add better resale
value.
- Install laminate
countertops.
Laminate countertops are the least expensive option, but
like laminate flooring, come in a wide variety of styles to
mimic the look of natural stone or other solid surfacing. A
decorative edge in a solid surface material adds a
decorative, inexpensive touch.
- Choose chrome for plumbing
fixtures.
While there is today a demand for designer faucets and other
plumbing fixtures, chrome is still the least expensive
material of choice for those that are on a budget. Another
popular trend is to combine chrome with another finish, such
as nickel or brass, to make your fixture budget stretch
farther. Also, look for a faucet (or other fixture) with a
lifetime warranty, which will save you money later as well.
- Choose fiberglass for
bathtub enclosures.
Use a one-piece fiberglass unit or three-piece fiberglass
wall panels instead of ceramic tile. You will not only save
on the material, but also on labor costs as fiberglass
installation is a much faster process.
- Use prefinished decorative
trim.
Many companies sell prefinished decorative trim. Prefinished
means a contractor will not need to paint or stain the trim,
avoiding the additional cost of labor.
- Order prehung doors.
Here's another great way to save on labor costs. Prehung
doors are actually hinged and installed into the frame
before the door ever leaves the shop, which means the entire
unit simply needs to be installed in the entry opening, a
less time-consuming task.
- Hang hollow-core doors.
Another cost-saving door measure: order hollow-core rather
than solid doors, which are much more expensive. However,
hollow-core doors should only be hung inside a home as they
will not be very secure as exterior doors.
- Install a direct vent gas
fireplace.
If you'd like to install a fireplace, but you're on a
budget, the direct vent gas fireplace is the way to go. A
direct vent gas fireplace uses two pipes that lead directly
to the outside. One pipe uses combustion air from the
outside while the other vents the exhaust gas. You save
money because no chimney flue is required, no additional
piping is necessary and the roof is never penetrated.
However, be aware that direct vent gas fireplaces cannot
be installed underneath or too close to an operating window
to ensure proper ventilation.
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