Smart Strategies for Budget-Friendly Remodeling by signature Designs Kitchen Bath & INteriors

In every remodeling project I take on, maximizing value within the budget is always a priority. While intricate designs and significant transformations can be tempting for achieving our ideal outcomes, they're not always the most budget-friendly options.

Sure, the contractors we collaborate with might argue that my projects are never straightforward, and I admit I can be a bit fussy when it comes to realizing our design ambitions. However, I do make an effort to consider their workload during the designing phase. By minimizing major construction adjustments and allowing flexibility with dimensions and details, we can create designs that are simpler to execute and more budget-conscious.

Here are a few strategies we put into practice to help you stay on budget during a remodel:

1. Retain Existing Plumbing Layout: Keeping plumbing fixtures in their current locations, particularly when working with a concrete slab foundation, can significantly reduce costs.

Our clients in Lone Tree, Colorado choose to keep the majority of their bathroom layout the same, we only opened up the shower and added a tub in the corner. Instead of changing the layout we added a big design impact with dramatic materials. Professional photos coming soon.

We engaged in a conversation with our clients from the Heritage Hills community in Lone Tree, Colorado, about the proposed floor plan. The dialogue centered around the significant design change and its implications for their overall budget during the design phase. In the end, the clients concluded that the budgetary adjustments were justified in order to reconfigure the space, allowing for the creation of a luxurious shower that would significantly enhance their daily living experience.

2. Select Ready-Made Bathroom Vanities: Choosing pre-fabricated bathroom vanities over custom cabinetry can be a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing style, especially for a powder room. When selecting a ready made vanity for a powder room, that could leave more room for you to add other fun accessories to the space like wallpaper or new lighting. That is what we are doing for our client in Littleton Coloraodo

3. Plan Venting Routes for Kitchen Hoods Carefully: Properly mapping out the venting path for a kitchen range hood can save time and money. With the new codes it dictates that we use a 400CFM or less venting system, if that fits your project needs this can save you from spending money on make up air. This Old House explains how CFM and Makeup Air works in your kitchen in the link below.

4. Pay Attention to Load-Bearing Walls: Being mindful of these structural elements is crucial, as removing or altering them can drive up expenses. We are working on a home in Castle Rock, Colorado right now. One of the first things I did when I measured the space was to go downstairs so that I could place the structural post in order to not affect that when redesigning the kitchen. That will save the home owner thousands of dollars that they can use in other parts of their remodel.

When you know that you want to remove a structural wall, we will approach that decision with the proper steps. We will bring in an engineer to do the calculations needed to make that design change happen. Our clients in Aurora Colorado knew they wanted to remove a structural wall to expand their kitchen. The existing kitchen had a very small foot print and it was nearly impossible to cook with 2 people in that room. Take a look at how we changed their lives. The kitchen is done but now we are adding an addition to their home to expand their living space.

BEFORE

5. Opt for Cost-Effective Cabinetry in Secondary Spaces: Consider using more economical cabinetry options in areas like laundry rooms and pantries where high-end finishes are less critical. This can lead to substantial savings. Our clients in Castle Rock, Colorado have a set budget that they would like their remodel to fall into. In order to make this happen we are sourcing budget friendly cabinets for their laundry room and pantry. Again this will allow them to realocate funds to other parts of their big remodel.

By thoughtfully considering these strategies, you can successfully navigate your remodel while keeping expenses in check. Signature Designs Kitchen Bath and Interiors guides you through the crucuial steps to recreateing your kitchen ir bathroom space. We discuss how moving or relocating your utlities can impact your design and your budget. We weight those choices and decide if its the right move for your project.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you in future posts!

Bonnie Bagley Catlin, Lone Tree Colorado.