During the year and peak of pandemic life, you’ve probably spent more time in your kitchen than ever and may be eager to make a change. Maybe it’s the color combination that got you tired. Or messy countertops or counters and drawers. Or the way the oven temperature always seems to be a few degrees lower.
But how do you decide what really needs to be replaced and what just needs a good overhaul? And considering the costs of everything from wood to frequently used appliances, what is the best way to upgrade at a price you can afford?
According to the cost report vs. value 2021 from Remodeling , a large-scale comprehensive renovation for a kitchen of 200 square feet (with medium quality materials) cost about $ 75, 000, almost a 10% more than 2020, likely due to COVID-induced labor shortages and (potentially temporary) price increases for many materials
But you don’t have to spend as much to get a kitchen you like, say the remodeling professionals and interior designers we spoke with, as well as the home experts themselves. CR. The trick is to focus your remodel money where it’s needed most.
Here’s how to find out if you should opt for a modernization or replacement for these key elements: Cabinets • Appliances • Countertops • Floors • Lighting .
Also we share smart strategies to achieve the changes you want to your budget.
You’ll see price estimates everywhere, but the numbers will vary based on the materials you use, the size of your space, and the cost of the labor if you hire a professional.
Cabinets
Any changes you make to your cabinets can have a major impact on the style and functionality of your kitchen because they occupy much space. If your cabinets are in good shape (frames are solid, doors are intact, and drawers slide easily), touching up the exterior will transform their appearance. If your cabinets are falling apart or you want a different style or design of the doors, consider replacing them. This is the most expensive option, but there are some smart ways to save.
Fix what you have?
What does it consist of: Changing the color of your cabinets with paint is easy, but time-consuming because you will need to remove the doors and drawers, sand the surfaces, and apply 2 coats of painting. “Go for a semi-gloss finish paint,” says Rico de Paz, who runs the CR paint testing lab. “The high level of gloss makes the cabinets look new and gives them a stain resistant finish that can be cleaned.”
You can also have a professional give them a “makeover” to existing cabinets by replacing old doors and drawers with new ones and covering the front and sides of the cabinet frame with a matching finish, such as wood veneer or laminate.
New door and drawer hardware are super easy style upgrades. Just make sure the new handles are the same size as the originals so you don’t have to drill new screw holes (and fill in old ones).
Costs: according to HomeAdvisor, an online home services company, between $ 100 and $ 300 for the materials to paint a space of 169 square feet; between $ 4 and $ 10 per square foot to hire a professional to restore cabinets; about $ 91 to $ 454 per linear foot to line the cabinets and between $ 2 and $ 50 per piece for new hardware.
Do you want something new?
Or try a designer trick to save some money from your budget: buy only the structures for Ikea cabinets and add semi-custom doors, drawers, trim or hardware. A company that provides this service is Semihandmade.
Other ways to save: Removing the old cabinets yourself could save around $ 500 under demolition. If they are in good condition, you can also donate them to an organization like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, or give them away on a site like Freecycle. When choosing new cabinets, stick with a streamlined design rather than an ornate one; these usually cost less. They are also easier to clean. “We’ve been specifying more Shaker-style cabinets for this reason,” says Ariana Lovato, kitchen designer for the National Kitchen & Bath Association based on California’s central coast.
Also consider buying Secondhand cabinets at a local salvage store, Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Renovation Angel, who salvage entire luxury kitchens, then sell and ship them across the country. Purchased this way, custom cabinets originally costing $ 55, could be available for less than $ 5, 000. Even with the cost of shipping and installation, you could save up to 90%, depending on the style and condition of the cabinets.
Costs: according to HomeAdvisor, $ 150 to $ 194 per linear foot for standard cabinets or $ 60 to $ 400 for semi-custom. Installation costs 1 to 3 times the price of materials; Semihandmade estimated between $ 2, 450 and $ 4, 475 by above the cost of Ikea structures.
Appliances
Repairing may make more sense than replacing , especially if you like the appliance and it is less than 8 years old; repair will cost much less than a comparable new model. But also think about the possible energy savings. A new Energy Star certified refrigerator could save you about $ 150 in 5 years .
Fix what you got?
What it consists of: you may be able to disguise a defect in the finish with a kit of Touch-up (for black or white finishes) or rubbing very gently with a product like Bar Keepers Friend (for stainless steel). For other repairs, try to diagnose the problem with an online search, then go to a site like Repair Clinic for tutorials (or call a professional).
Costs: Parts to repair an ice and water dispenser can cost between $ 20 (one button) and $ 300 (a new dispenser); Replace the dishwasher drain pump, enter $ 50 and $ 120; and install a new oven bake item, $ 40 to $ 120 , according to Repair Clinic. Add between $ 81 and $ 200 if you need a professional. First, check the product warranty to see if the repair is covered.
Want something new?
What does it consist of: when If you decide to get rid of old appliances (some utilities offer cash to recycle old refrigerators), the trick is to get a good deal on new ones. This has been more difficult lately due to supply chain disruption . Experts suggest researching products from independent retailers, whose sellers can often match the prices of big box stores and may waive a delivery or withdrawal fee. Do you need to replace everything? Buying a game from a brand could save you up to 10%.
Also consider buying a used appliance . “With a little bit of groundwork, you can find a top-of-the-line device for a fraction of what it would cost new,” says Jim Nanni, director of device testing at CR. You will save between 50% and the 90% of normal price per a used appliance at Renovation Angel, and you will get between 38% and 90% discount on exhibition models and new models discontinued in box according to the sea ca, status and seniority. “Demand is skyrocketing due to our luxury goods on sale in a struggling market,” says Steve Feldman, founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization.
Costs: newer top freezer refrigerators (31 inches and wider) in our full ratings start at $ 775, dishwasher (24 inches) to $ 280, electric vitroceramic cooktop hobs (single oven) at $ 465 and gas cookers ( individual oven) to $ 400. Add $ 120 to $ 500 for installation, according to HomeAdvisor.
Are you buying an appliance? Check out these high-performance options from our tests that are also inexpensive:
Top-Freezer Refrigerators: Maytag MRT 311 FFFM ($ 899 on Best Buy and Home Depot ); GE GTS 22 KSNRSS ($ 983 – $ 990 at Appliances Connection , Home Depot and Wayfair ).
Dishwasher: Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR 75 UC ($ 699 on AJ Madison , AppliancesConnection , Best Buy and Home Depot ); Bosch 311 DLX Series SHS 863 WD5N ( $ 895 in Appliances Connection ).
Electric stoves: LG LREL 5823 S
($ 775 – $ 800 on AppliancesConnection , Home Depot and Best Buy ); LG LREL 6511 S ($ 895 – $ 900 on AJ Madison , AppliancesConnection , Home Depot and Best Buy ).
Gas stoves: Samsung NX 60TO6511H.H
($ 940 on AppliancesConnection ); LG LRGL 5823 S ($ 995 – $ 1, 000 on AJ Madison , AppliancesConnection , Home Depot , Best Buy and Sear s ).
Countertops (counters)
You may be able to improve the appearance of the worn countertops , whether made of wood, laminate, granite, marble or quartz . However, anything beyond minor flaws probably involves replacing it.
Fix what you got?
What does it consist of: Does it have laminate? Try using a touch-up kit to fill in small scratches or dents. If the entire surface looks imperfect, you can restore it with a product formulated for countertops, such as Rust-Oleum’s Countertop Coating. Stone countertops will need a professional finish: polish scratches, sand stains and polish the surface.
To update For the backsplash, you can try adhesive tiles or, if the surface is flat, removable wallpaper. “If you are a renter or are undecided, there are really great adhesive wall coverings,” says Cindy Aplanalp, interior designer in Houston.
Costs: for a DIY touch-up kit for laminate countertops, $ 50 on Amazon or Home Depot . Rust-Oleum Countertop Coating costs $ 24 by 29 fluid ounces in Home Depot and on Lowe’s . Adhesive tiles cost $ 3 to $ 14 per square foot in Home Depot and on Lowe’s. It costs a professional from $ 100 repair stone countertops, according to HomeAdvisor.
Do you want something new?
What does it consist of: Your contractor or countertop installer will begin by removing the existing countertops and making measurements for the new ones. You’ll save a lot if you opt for laminate, a durable synthetic material that comes in a variety of designs, including surprisingly realistic artificial stone.
If there’s more room in your budget, consider using the tall material. performance of CR, quartz, which is engineered from stone chips, resins, and pigments. If you have a small space or need a piece for an area, such as an island, you may be able to save on an expensive material such as quartz or granite by purchasing a remnant in a stone deposit.
Costs: Prices can vary widely. If you want granite, for example, a basic pattern in beige will cost less than something more exotic, like gold Solaris. Laminate costs $ 5 to $ 22 per square foot; quartz, from $ 18 to $ 60; granite, from $ 18 to $ 60. Prices do not include installation.
Floor
You can hide temporarily some damage to most types of flooring, but wood is the only one you can fully restore without replacing.
Fix what you have ?
What does it consist of: A mosaic or tile repair kit can help fill in small cracks (find out at Amazon or Walmart ). Blend nicks and scratches in vinyl floors with a liquid joint sealer. If you have a stain on a stone floor, try buffing it with superfine steel wool. For scratched wood floors, look for a kit that has touch-up pens and wax sticks to add a protective finish to the surface. For larger imperfections, sand lightly then apply a stain of the same shade.
If your solid wood or plywood floor needs a rescue, you can hire a professional to restore it. A cheaper DIY option: Brush on an enamel-based floor or porch paint, or use something like these floor repair markers, available at Home Depot and 
Walmart . “Porch paints are designed to be weather resistant, so they must tolerate spills well,” says De Paz in CR.
Costs: about $ . for construction and home furnishing. For the professional refurbished, $ 3 to $ 8 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.
Want something new?
What does it consist of: a “floating” flooring system is a great way to save. They consist of tiles or planks that are joined over your previous floor, saving you hundreds of dollars on installation. Mosaics come in a variety of materials, including luxury waterproof, vinyl and porcelain tile, in patterns that mimic the expensive look of stone and wood, for about a third of the price. The installation is suitable for DIY (but it may be advisable to have a professional cut porcelain tiles).
Costs: for Deluxe Vinyl Tile, $ 2 to $ 8 per square foot; for porcelain, $ 5 to $ 8 per square foot. Add $ 3 to $ 22 per square foot if you want a professional to install it, according to HomeAdvisor.
Illumination
Changing bulbs and adding a dimmer switch can make a surprising difference. If you want to replace or add a fixture, you may need the help of an electrician.
Fix what you got?
What does it consist of: For starters, switch to Energy Star certified LEDs. Although an LED bulb may cost more initially, you can save $ 55 dollars worth of electricity over its lifetime compared to a standard incandescent bulb. And consider adding a dimmer switch, which “lets you adjust the intensity of the light to your needs,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, a lighting designer in Lexington, Kentucky.
Costs: between $ 1 and $ 3 per LED bulb and from $ 10 by dimmers in Home Depot or Lowe’s (more around between $ 100 and $ 200 for the installation, according to HomeAdvisor).
Do you want something new?
What does it consist of: Under cabinet plug-in lamps are an easy way to illuminate a particular area of your countertops (find out at Home Depot or Lowe’s ). Line and strip lights, which illuminate the surface evenly, are good options.
Adding a decorative accessory can have a bold visual impact. If you choose a style with glass, go for opaque or printed glass, says Laurie Gross, president of Gross Electric, a lighting showroom and electrical distributor in Ohio and Michigan. “They prevent reflections and hide dirt better,” he says.
Costs: approximately between $ 50 and $ 100 by lighting under the cabinet; from $ 55 for pendants (in Home Depot or Lowe’s , but may cost less at vintage or salvage stores). Installation costs between $ 95 and $ 250, according to HomeAdvisor.
When you need a little help with a kitchen remodel
Keeping your kitchen in perfect condition requires knowledge. CR’s new home management app, Upkept , can help you to keep track of all the maintenance tasks in your home, even in the kitchen, and teach you how to do them yourself. The application is available in the Apple App Store and in the Google Play Store; the service is free for 90 days, then costs $ 4. 95 per month.
If you need a professional, ask for a recommendation ndaciones to friends or on social networks. Consultation with trade groups, such as National Association of the Remodeling Industry , or try home service directories like Angi or Checkbook. Before hiring someone, ask to see their license, proof of insurance and some references (and call them all). Always insist on a written contract. Labor costs are high at the moment, so if you can, plan your project for the off-season, when contractors are willing to negotiate. And if you are planning a future project, mention it. Contractors love regular customers.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2021 , Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports no has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a just, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2021 , Consumer Reports, Inc.
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