Creating a Budget

Whether big or small, home renovation projects always involve a commitment of two important resources: time and money. The larger renovations require large investments of both, so it’s important to consider all aspects of a major renovation before embarking on that journey. One issue we find clients are consistently concerned about is budgets, and we advise a few simple ways to get started on determining budgets:

• Want vs. Need: Sometimes this involves picking one project over another (kitchen vs. bedroom closet) and sometimes it involves making micro-decisions within the scope of a single project (appliances vs. countertops vs. backsplash in a kitchen renovation). It’s important to prioritize!

• Know What Things Cost: Do some research on big-ticket items like cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances. Go into the process of renovating your home with realistic expectations. One of the most common things we see as designers is “sticker shock,” when clients realize the limits of their budget.

• Be Realistic: When you have “your number” in place, be realistic about how far it can go. In order to do this, we recommend getting a professional estimate. Contractors and designers will help you see costs you may not be anticipating, in terms of labor and materials as well as time (duration of the project).

• Remember “the cushion”: Most renovations will encounter one or two unforeseen costs—of time, money, or both—that neither the client nor the contractors/designers could anticipate. These will test your patience, but also affect your budget, so make sure that you give yourself some wiggle room in terms of both the length of the project and construction costs to accommodate any hiccups along the way.

Helping you create a realistic budget is just the beginning; at Cabinets & Designs we are with you every step of the way, from conception to construction to completion. Visit our showroom to talk to a designer and get started on your next home renovation.