How to remodel on a tight budget?

Frida Ferguson
by Frida Ferguson

Hello to everyone ! We've been planning a kitchen remodel for years but money never seems to be enough. We just paid off the appliances and they are at a friend's basement. Still have the cabinets, floors, and removing the plumbing for the fridge water line, sink , faucet, etc etc etc...any ideas on how to do it on the cheap ? We can do some of the work, but not sure how to do that plumbing and electrical. We are a couple in our sixties. All the best to you. Clayton and Frida

  4 answers
  • Em Em on May 17, 2019

    hire a local handyman, get several bids and make sure they are licensed and insured for the plumbing connections and electrical. You can look online for many tutorials for "how to connect a faucet" or "how to put in plastic plumbing (easier than you think) the video's are great help. If you are at all handy you will find videos on almost anything online. If you were able to post this question all you have to do it go to your browser and type, how do I.......whatever you need and numerous videos will explain in detail what you can't do. I would NOT do the electrical if you don't know. There are many codes that must be followed and too dangerous if you are unsure. Cabinets are easy to stain, or paint, flooring is not tough either. I did it by myself and am in my 60's as well. I stripped a kitchen floor of old ugly tile and replaced it with new. Self stick is really easy to do if you don't want to go to the expense of wood. Many styles at Home Depot. Go to handyman.com for help in your area.

  • Dmotan Dmotan on May 17, 2019

    The Greeks have a saying, "the most expensive is the cheapest" . I don't mean to go all out but be very careful who you hire to do what you can't. Ask your neighbors who they have used and if they are happy and are detail people, you might get the best deal, not the cheapest, but the best deal.

    I would not put up upper cabinets, but use shelves but this means they have to look nice and this could save big $$$$$.

    Look at thrift stores and salvage places for your cabinets. I go to a thrift store run by Habitat for Humanity and they have great stuff from remodeling jobs.

    In one home, I put common pine down for the floors and stained and sealed it. 35 years later it still looks great. I like dents and character so that didn't bother me. You would want a very good seal so you can mop it. Be careful if you choose laminate floors as there are some really cheap ones out there and they will not hold up. Habit has great porcelain tiles very cheap so you might want to consider that.

    Wishing you the very best in your adventure.

  • Hire out the plumbing and electrical. If not done by a licensed professional, and something goes amiss, your homeowners insurance carrier can and will deny the claim. Here is how to hire any contractor or trades person you will ever need.


    https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor


    One of my girlfriends is 78 and does better work than men 1/4 her age. Just take it slow and steady. You have great recommendations here.



  • Donna Donna on May 23, 2019

    Another suggestion I’ve seen is leaving the layout & base cabinets if they’re in pretty sound shape and just replacing (or sanding & painting) the existing doors & drawer fronts & hardware...saves $1000s over complete new cabinets. Countertop folks come, measure the top, cut and replace existing relatively inexpensive, too. Granite isn’t all it’s pumped up to be, in my opinion.