One approach to kitchen remodeling costs--a method that cuts to the quick--is to ask yourself which labor costs are escapable or inescapable. This argument is tempered by your own remodeling skills and inclination to take on these projects.
It should be noted that we are not discussing such "hard costs" as materials. Unless you are visited by the remodeling fairy who showers free kitchen cabinets on you, you'll always have to shell out cold, hard cash for that.
You'll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it's possible to reduce your kitchen renovation bill by thousands.
Kitchen Design Services
Copyright Lee Wallender; Licensed to About.com
Escapable.
Get free kitchen design services at most home improvement stores. While the aim is to get you to purchase their services and materials, you are not obligated to do so. You won't get a sparkling-perfect blueprint out of the deal, but you will get servicable kitchen layout plans.
Kitchen Floor Installation
Copyright Armstrong
Escapable.
Perfectly fine kitchen flooring ranging from tile vinyl on up to ceramic tile can be installed by DIYers of moderate skills. Even more complicated kitchen flooring installations--heated tile floor or hardwood--can be installed by a motivated DIY remodeler.
Hang Kitchen Cabinets
Copyright Kraftmaid
Escapable.
Hanging kitchen cabinets requires a fine touch more than muscle (of course, you will need a buddy to help you out). A few fine woodworking skills will help you beautifully, rather than amateurishly, install cabinets.
Professional cabinet installers vehemently disagree with me on this point, but I stand my ground. Your DIY installation will never been quite as good as their pro installation, but with care and a steady hand, it can look pretty darn good.
Cabinet Refacing
Image Copyright Kitchen Tune-Up
Inescapable.
If you should go the cabinet refacing route--which does help to tamp down your kitchen cabinets cost--you will need to have experienced installers take on this project.
Countertop Fabrication
Copyright DuPont
Inescapable.
Countertop fabrication and installation, though usually performed by the same set of installers, can be thought of as two different activities. The cutting, routing, and sizing of countertop materials requires tools not usually found in a DIYer's workshop.
Countertop Installation
Copyright Formica
Inescapable.
If the countertop company has fabricated the counter, why not have them install it, too? No doubt they will scratch their heads in puzzlement if you ask them to leave the fabricated countertop for you to install--the costs really get wrapped up together.
We do separate counter fabrication from installation, because you can buy pre-fabricated laminate and solid surface counters and install by yourself.
Installing Appliances
Copyright Lee Wallender; Licensed to About.com
Escapable.
Installing a garbage disposal is very easy to do. Installing a fridge with a water line is only a little bit harder. Dishwashers only require a few hookups--then you're done! Ranges and cooktops also can be DIY-installed.
Installing Kitchen Backsplash Tile
Copyright Merola Tile
Escapable.
Absolutely! Installing kitchen backsplash tile is extremely easy to do.
Kitchen Electrical and Plumbing
Copyright Lee Wallender
Inescapable.
I am on the fence about this one. Minor kitchen electrical and plumbing revisions (installing can or pendant lights, moving or installing GFCIs, etc.) for your remodel are entirely possible. But a full-scale, open-up-the-walls install of electrical and plumbing can tax the DIYer's skills and patience. Even if you're capable of taking on these projects, they may suck up too much of your time to be worth your while. It may be easier in the end to hire an electrician or plumber.
Painting Kitchen
Copyright Valspar
Escapable.
Everyone knows that interior house painting is the classic DIY project. But I would like to note that kitchen painting is particularly easy. Why? Because in most kitchens, the wall space is taken up with cabinets, counters, and appliances--you have very little square footage left to paint.
