7 Tips for the Perfect Kitchen Makeover

One of the best remodeling projects you can do in your house is a kitchen remodel. Most kitchen remodels done well can return 90 percent or more of what you spend on them in terms of increased home value. To ensure that your kitchen remodel turns own well, you will want to follow these seven tips for the perfect kitchen makeover. 

Have a plan 
To get the perfect kitchen, you have to know what you want and what you hope to achieve with a remodel. Do you want more space? A better flow? Better design? Decide well in advance what it is you want in your kitchen before talking to contractors. This will help to decide what exactly needs to be done in your kitchen. 

Set a budget 
In addition to having a plan, you need to set a budget. Unless you are very wealthy and have an open checkbook, you need to set a reasonable budget for your kitchen remodel and stick to it. This will help you to be realistic about what you can and can’t do, and it can also help you prioritize. For example, if enlarging your kitchen means you don’t have enough money for new cabinets, you will have to pick which priority is more important. 

Don’t make changes 
Once you have determined what you want in your kitchen remodel, have gotten an estimate and have hired a contractor, stick to your plan. Making changes to the design or work after the fact can not only increase the cost of your remodel, it can also mean the project will take longer. A contractor may need to schedule subcontractors days or weeks in advance, so making changes could set your project back several days or even weeks. 

Don’t do more than you have to 
When it comes to getting the most out of your kitchen remodel, less is more. In fact, spending $15,000 or less on your remodel will help you recoup nearly 100 percent of the cost in increased home value, whereas spending $40,000 or more will allow you to recoup only about 90 percent of what you spend. That’s why it’s important not to make your kitchen remodel bigger than it needs to be. One thing you should avoid unless absolutely necessary is moving utility lines. Unless you have to to enlarge the space, don’t do work that requires electrical wiring or plumbing and gas lines to be moved, because it will greatly increase your cost without adding value. 

Reuse what you can 
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when renovating a kitchen is getting rid of everything and starting from scratch. You can save a ton of money on your remodel by reusing items that still are in good shape. For example, painting or refacing cabinets instead of replacing them can save you thousands of dollars. 

Don’t over-customize 
You want to be able to enjoy your remodeled kitchen, but you also have to keep in mind that your tastes aren’t necessarily shared by everyone else. To maximize your kitchen makeover, try not to customize too much on things like fixtures and accents in back splashes. Too much customization can actually cut down on the return on investment you get from your remodel. 

Do some work yourself 
To get the perfect kitchen makeover, you need to hire a professional to do the important stuff, such as drywall, tile, plumbing, and other specialty work. But there are things you can do yourself that will save you money and not affect the quality of the project. This can include demolition, removing appliances and cleaning up after the work is done.