Hi Misty. My name is Cindy. The biggest "bang for your buck" is paint. It can change a room all on its own. So, you could start by painting your room and your cabinets with colors of your choice. A new back splash can be accomplished inexpensive by using a common tile, like subway tile. And, last but not least, change your flooring. Many choices there, tile, laminate, linoleum, to name a few. Hope this helps. Good luck Misty.
Avoid moving pipes (water or gas) and electric outlets. That is, try to keep the sink, range and refrigerator where they are now. That prevents digging up the foundation or tearing open the walls, then having to repair and replace. However, if your home was built in the 60s or earlier, these systems may need updating. The need for updating is something a professional should be able to answer by looking at what you have and listening to what you would like to do.
If your cabinets are in good condition, consider sanding and painting them with semi-gloss paint. Then spend your money on new countertops. Here is a link to comparisons of various materials: https://usenaturalstone.org/countertop-comparison-chart/ Granite and quartzite are both natural stone and quite durable. These would be my first choice. I would also consider quartz surfacing as it's nearly as durable as my first choices. Shop around as prices can vary quite a bit. Countertops are most often installed by the place you buy from, so ask about installation costs.
If you have vinyl sheet flooring you could have new vinyl sheet flooring placed directly over the existing vinyl as the least expensive option. Or, you could go with a luxury vinyl floor that looks like wood or tile. Installation of these is also most often done by the seller. If you have ceramic tile you should keep that as tearing it out is labor intensive and disruptive. You can, however, sand and paint tile then seal it with polyurethane. Here is an article that explains how: https://www.hunker.com/13411688/how-to-change-the-color-of-ceramic-tile
You have to research the costs of cabinets, countertop materials, appliances, flooring, paint, etc. Then you have to decide where you want to spend your money. Write a list of exactly which items you want and where you want to buy them. However, if your job is simple (new cabinets and countertops) you will have to pay for removal of the old cabinets, the new materials and the installation and reattaching plumbing. Each business is paid separately as agreed.
If you want a complete remodel you may need a contractor. The value of a contractor is to coordinate when different parts of a job happen. You can't have the countertop installers in before the cabinets are updated, and you want the flooring redone before new appliances arrive. Get bids, not estimates, from several contractors. A bid is a fixed amount that the contractor agrees to do the job for. Explain exactly what you expect from the contractor as you discuss the project. If the contractor disagrees with what you want ask them why; there may be a good reason. Be careful about accepting the lowest bid.
When you decide on a contractor write up a contract that both of you sign and get a copy of. Written contracts protect both you and the contractor. The contract should detail exactly what will be done. Most often payment for a job is split into thirds. However, subcontractors must be paid when each has finished their part of the job. You should get a signed receipt from each trade as they are paid. Talk to your contractor about how this will be handled to avoid liens placed on your property by unpaid subcontractors.
Hi Misty - We recently remodeled our kitchen floor and used cork! Here's the transformation and more information about cork flooring. Hope this helps and good luck with the renovation! Hugs, Holly
What's your budget? Will you perform the work yourself? Hire out? Combination of both? How much renovation do you wish to do? Gut to the studs? Or just a quick refresh?
Edit:””” 3 years later😂 I decided to paint them white and I am so very pleased with the results!We bought a new house with these ugly cabinets. I really cann...
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I am looking for BUDGET options for my kitchen. It is very strangely laid out. I have 3 doors (laundry, bedroom and outside) that do not help the layout. I am planing...
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Hi Misty. My name is Cindy. The biggest "bang for your buck" is paint. It can change a room all on its own. So, you could start by painting your room and your cabinets with colors of your choice. A new back splash can be accomplished inexpensive by using a common tile, like subway tile. And, last but not least, change your flooring. Many choices there, tile, laminate, linoleum, to name a few. Hope this helps. Good luck Misty.
Avoid moving pipes (water or gas) and electric outlets. That is, try to keep the sink, range and refrigerator where they are now. That prevents digging up the foundation or tearing open the walls, then having to repair and replace. However, if your home was built in the 60s or earlier, these systems may need updating. The need for updating is something a professional should be able to answer by looking at what you have and listening to what you would like to do.
If your cabinets are in good condition, consider sanding and painting them with semi-gloss paint. Then spend your money on new countertops. Here is a link to comparisons of various materials: https://usenaturalstone.org/countertop-comparison-chart/ Granite and quartzite are both natural stone and quite durable. These would be my first choice. I would also consider quartz surfacing as it's nearly as durable as my first choices. Shop around as prices can vary quite a bit. Countertops are most often installed by the place you buy from, so ask about installation costs.
If you have vinyl sheet flooring you could have new vinyl sheet flooring placed directly over the existing vinyl as the least expensive option. Or, you could go with a luxury vinyl floor that looks like wood or tile. Installation of these is also most often done by the seller. If you have ceramic tile you should keep that as tearing it out is labor intensive and disruptive. You can, however, sand and paint tile then seal it with polyurethane. Here is an article that explains how: https://www.hunker.com/13411688/how-to-change-the-color-of-ceramic-tile
You have to research the costs of cabinets, countertop materials, appliances, flooring, paint, etc. Then you have to decide where you want to spend your money. Write a list of exactly which items you want and where you want to buy them. However, if your job is simple (new cabinets and countertops) you will have to pay for removal of the old cabinets, the new materials and the installation and reattaching plumbing. Each business is paid separately as agreed.
If you want a complete remodel you may need a contractor. The value of a contractor is to coordinate when different parts of a job happen. You can't have the countertop installers in before the cabinets are updated, and you want the flooring redone before new appliances arrive. Get bids, not estimates, from several contractors. A bid is a fixed amount that the contractor agrees to do the job for. Explain exactly what you expect from the contractor as you discuss the project. If the contractor disagrees with what you want ask them why; there may be a good reason. Be careful about accepting the lowest bid.
When you decide on a contractor write up a contract that both of you sign and get a copy of. Written contracts protect both you and the contractor. The contract should detail exactly what will be done. Most often payment for a job is split into thirds. However, subcontractors must be paid when each has finished their part of the job. You should get a signed receipt from each trade as they are paid. Talk to your contractor about how this will be handled to avoid liens placed on your property by unpaid subcontractors.
Hi Misty - We recently remodeled our kitchen floor and used cork! Here's the transformation and more information about cork flooring. Hope this helps and good luck with the renovation! Hugs, Holly
https://pinkfortitude.com/eco-friendly-kitchen-floor/
Here’s what we did on a pretty small budget: https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2015/09/when-youre-sick-of-your-old-oak-kitchen.html?m=1
What's your budget? Will you perform the work yourself? Hire out? Combination of both? How much renovation do you wish to do? Gut to the studs? Or just a quick refresh?