The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in our homes, so it’s important to get it right when you do your property refurbishment. But that doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget – with a few clever tricks and solutions you can get the kitchen you want at a price to fit your bank balance.
Research is key
Start planning your kitchen several months in advance. Kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate, and the choices of finishes, brands and electrical products are endless. Dedicating time to research will pay off in the long run. Collect samples, look into costs and bond forget to ask about lead times.
Get the right professional help
Your research should include kitchen designers or fitters. Get at least three itemised quotes from all trades required, remembering that the cheapest quote may not always be the best! Make an informed selection based on their qualifications and reputation.
Nobody wants to find that their tiles haven't arrived on time
Make a schedule
Unexpected problems that can increase the budget during a project. Putting together a spreadsheet of dates when orders need to be placed and their lead times will help to ensure that you won’t have any nasty surprises as your project progresses. Nobody wants to find that their tiles haven't arrived on time because they are being shipped in from oversees on an extended lead time.
Highlight what you see
Spending a little more cash in the items that can be seen and making savings on items that can't can be an excellent way of preventing costs spiriting out of control. Spend as much as you can on the worktops, and make savings on cheaper carcasses and integrated appliances.
Shop wisely
It pays to be savvy. Look out for sales, both on line and in store as big savings can be made with a couple of hours of research. Make sure you are only ordering what you need so that you're not left with excess tiles or flooring at the end of the project.
Consider ex-display
A great way of saving hundreds, if not thousands on your new kitchen. A great option if you are flexible with space and design. Showrooms are always looking to replenish their shop floors with the latest products, so strike while the iron is hot and take the old display kitchen off their hands.
