Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Kravelv
There are always the ‘hidden charges’ in many a quotation, so do not be surprised if your kitchen remodeling budget consumes more than you bargained for or expected. If it is the first time you are doing kitchen remodeling, it could be even trickier to budget for the project.
To be sure, remodeling your kitchen, either by yourself or with the help of someone like this Jacksonville kitchen remodeling company, is supposed to exciting or stressful. You can only make it exciting if you foresee what unplanned expenses can cost you and accommodate them in the budget. The confidence that you are on top of things would relieve the stress.
As you are going to find out, the unplanned, hidden charges could be so hidden that even the contractor or the constructor may not be aware they exist. While you’re still reading this make sure you check out the best kitchen remodelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They’ve been remodeling kitchens for decades.
So, how do you prepare for the unplanned expenses? The following tips should guide you.
1. Arrange Meal Plans
You are remodeling your kitchen soon, yes, but has it occurred to you that you won’t be using the kitchen in that period? It is easy to forget that. The kitchen will be out of bounds, and with that, the kitchen appliances such as gas, oven, microwave, or fridge. So it would help if you planned how the meals would be prepared.
Create some space elsewhere or use the balcony area for cooking. Before remodeling, move out of the kitchen the necessary appliances you will need to prepare meals. If you have no spare room or space to do your cooking during the remodeling period, you may have to eat out or order takeaway meals from the local eateries. This will come at a cost, which could be higher if you have a large family.
2. Rising Utility Bills
The contractor may not explicitly tell you this, but some of the tools he will be using rely on electricity, and some are heavy power consumers, which means your power bill will shoot up during the kitchen-remodeling period.
Remodeling brings with It may not be much, or it may be too much, so plan for any eventuality. Without this in mind or the budget, you would be rudely shocked when the electricity bill comes, finally provoking you to rant that the remodeling contractor exploited you.
3. Where to Board Your Pets
it unusual noise, people, and movements that your pets are not familiar with. This can make them uncomfortable and anxious, causing them to act weird.
At the same time, the curious and exploring pets could be injured if they venture too near the “work in progress” area at the wrong time. They can fall in something, something can fall on them, or they can be hit by an astray nail or hammer, etc. The pets can also damage the construction materials, causing you to dig deeper in your pockets.
Hence, it would be best to plan how the pets would be kept out of harm’s way. Once you have discussed the estimated remodeling timelines with the contractor, you can talk to some of your friends or relatives to take in the pets for a while.
If that fails, you may have to board them in a shelter, which comes at a cost.
4. Updating the Home Code
An area’s housing code changes over time, and the time to update it is during the renovation or remodeling. In fact, a contractor risks losing his license if he continuously fails to comply with the housing code requirements.
So, where do you come in? First, the codes are guidelines that ensure you will be safe in the house. Whenever natural disasters like an earthquake, whirlwind, or flooding occur, only homes built on sure foundations or proper guidelines can afford to remain standing.
The recent activities in the area can determine what new housing codes are recommended. What are the latest energy efficiency measures required, for instance? The older your kitchen, the more upgrade it may need to meet the basic requirements.
Hence, you should research extensively and accommodate the expenses that are likely to come with meeting the home code status.
5. Structural Adjustments
The moment the kitchen-remodeling project kicks off, some things gradually come into the picture. For instance, changing the cupboard or cabinet can mean changing the flooring underneath as well. You then need new tiles that match the new décor.
The process of tearing down the kitchen wall can damage the underlying water pipe or power cables. This may call for plumbing activities that were not in your budget. You have to replace these immediately. The torn wall can also reveal pests, molds, or asbestos that have to be removed at your expense.
If you are bringing in more appliances into the kitchen, you also need to add more power outlets. The wiring or rewiring is going to cost extra money. It is best to include the expenses in the budget so that you do not raise your eyebrows to hear new light switches are needed for the kitchen.
6. Accidents
You and the contractor should carry out all the necessary safety measures to avoid accident incidents. However, the best laid-down plans can fail to achieve the expected results, so an accident can still slip in.
Apart from the first aid measures, it would help if you prepared for any unforeseen, serious accident. In short, have some money to accommodate such an occurrence if you want to be on top of things.
7. Escalating Remodeling
Your initial plan was to remodel the kitchen but, as the work progresses, you realize you need to change one or two outdated features in the living room or bedroom. Therefore, kitchen remodeling is soon escalated to other areas nobody knew about.
This was not in the plan, so you have to fork money elsewhere to meet the expense. It would be best if you accommodated such possible escalations in your initial budget so that you can comfortably suggest new ideas to the contractor.
FAQs Unplanned Expenses During a Kitchen Remodel
What should I spend on a kitchen remodel?
As per Angi, the typical cost of renovating a kitchen is $26,238, with the low end of the price spectrum beginning at $3,500 and the high end of the price spectrum reaching $63,000 or above. The variety of alternatives for improvements and the scope of the projects are the primary factors contributing to the differences in estimated costs.
What is the biggest expense in a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets will normally be the most expensive purchase you make for a kitchen makeover, taking up an average of 25 percent of the total budget for the project.
Conclusion
There are instances when one has to apply for a house renovation loan to meet the remodeling expenses. If you are applying for a loan for kitchen remodeling, you should consider the extra costs that may crop up so that you take an adequate loan. The worst you can do to your kitchen is having it remodeled halfway or poorly because you ran out of money.
You should be liberal enough to add 20% extra of the budget to cater for the unplanned expenses that may arise.