Kitchen remodels can cost a small fortune. Most homeowners report spending between $14,000 and $40,000, with the national average hovering around $25,000. Yikes!
I remember when my husband and I got our first quote for our kitchen update. I nearly fell off my chair. The contractor might as well have asked for our firstborn child too.
But here’s the good news, you don’t need to empty your savings account for a beautiful, functional kitchen. With some smart planning and a few insider tricks, you can cut costs without cutting corners.
This guide walks you through practical ways to save serious cash on your kitchen project without ending up with a space you’ll hate. Because let’s be honest, nobody wants to eat ramen for a year just because they blew their budget on fancy cabinet handles.
Ready to learn how to get that magazine-worthy kitchen without the magazine-worthy price tag? Let’s cook up some savings!
Tips To Save Money On Kitchen Remodelling Project
The average kitchen remodel recoups about 54% to 77% of its cost when you sell your home, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. But that doesn’t mean you should spend whatever it takes.
Smart homeowners know where to splurge and where to save. They understand which corners can be cut without sacrificing quality and which “budget-friendly” decisions might actually cost more in the long run.
Let’s break down some practical ways you can trim thousands from your kitchen renovation budget while still getting results you’ll love for years to come.
Set a Realistic Budget
You know what’s worse than sticker shock at the beginning of a kitchen remodel? Running out of money halfway through.
Start by figuring out what you can actually afford. Financial experts suggest spending no more than 5-15% of your home’s value on a kitchen remodel. For a $300,000 home, that’s $15,000-$45,000.
But don’t just stop at the total budget. Break it down:
- Cabinets and hardware: 29% of budget
- Installation: 17%
- Appliances: 14%
- Countertops: 10%
- Flooring: 7%
- Walls and ceilings: 5%
- Lighting: 5%
- Design fees: 4%
- Windows and doors: 4%
- Faucets and plumbing: 4%
- Other: 1%
Then add a 20% cushion for surprises. Trust me, there will be surprises. Last year, my friend Sarah budgeted perfectly for her kitchen renovation until workers found water damage behind the refrigerator. That little “surprise” added $2,300 to her bill.
Creating a detailed budget isn’t sexy work, but it’s what separates the homeowners who finish their projects from those with half-demolished kitchens and empty bank accounts.
Stick to Your Existing Layout
Want to know the fastest way to blow up your budget? Moving plumbing, gas lines, or walls.
Keeping your sink, stove, and refrigerator exactly where they are can save you thousands. Moving a sink just a few feet might cost $2,000 or more once you factor in plumbing changes, wall repairs, and flooring patches.
My neighbor Tom wanted to move his range to an island. Just that one change added $5,200 to his quote because it required new gas lines under the floor, additional ventilation, and electrical work.
You can still get a totally new look and feel without changing your kitchen’s footprint. New cabinets, updated flooring, and fresh paint will transform the space without requiring structural changes.
Think of your kitchen layout like the foundation of a house—changing it affects everything else and costs accordingly.
Refinish or Reface Cabinets Instead of Replacing Them
New cabinets can eat up nearly a third of your kitchen budget. But what if you could get that new-cabinet look for a fraction of the price?
Cabinet refinishing costs about $1,500-$4,000 for an average kitchen, while complete replacement might run $15,000-$30,000.
If your cabinets are structurally sound (no water damage, good construction), you have options:
- Refinishing: Stripping, sanding, and applying new stain or paint. Perfect for solid wood cabinets.
- Refacing: Keeping the cabinet boxes but replacing the doors and drawer fronts. This costs about 50-70% less than full replacement.
- Painting plus new hardware: Sometimes fresh paint and updated handles are all you need. My sister Jenny spent $400 on paint and new pulls, and her 90s oak cabinets now look custom.
Cabinet painting isn’t always a DIY project though. Those brush strokes can show unless you have proper equipment and experience. Consider hiring a pro for the doors and drawer fronts at least.
Choose Stock or Semi-Custom Over Custom Cabinets
When replacement makes sense, stock cabinets from big box stores cost 50-70% less than custom options.
Stock cabinets come in standard sizes and limited styles. Semi-custom give you more options for about 20% more money. Fully custom cabinets are built specifically for your kitchen—with a price tag to match.
Many homeowners can’t tell the difference between high-end stock cabinets and custom ones once they’re installed. The real differences are in the construction quality and customization options.
If you go stock, look for:
- Solid wood drawer fronts
- Dovetail drawer construction
- Soft-close hinges
- Plywood rather than particle board when possible
My cousin saved $13,000 choosing stock cabinets over custom ones. He put the savings toward quartz countertops and a pro-grade range—things guests actually notice and he uses daily.
Be Smart About Appliances Shopping
That professional-grade range might look amazing, but do you really need six burners and a griddle when you mostly heat up frozen pizza?
Consider how you actually cook before splurging on appliances. The jump from good consumer-grade to basic professional-grade appliances can double or triple your cost of kitchen remodel.
Smart ways to save on appliances:
- Shop floor models during end-of-year sales (January and September)
- Look for “scratch and dent” sections (often minor scratches on sides that won’t even show)
- Buy last year’s models when new ones arrive
- Skip panel-ready designs, which cost more and require custom panels
Spending less doesn’t mean getting poor quality. Consumer Reports regularly finds mid-range appliances outperforming luxury brands in reliability and performance.
I bought a floor model refrigerator with a tiny scratch on the side (against a wall where no one sees it) and saved $1,200. That scratch paid for all my kitchen lighting!
Work With a Local, Trusted Contractor
The cheapest bid rarely results in the cheapest project. Low-ball quotes often lead to change orders, delays, and headaches.
Finding the right contractor might save you 15-20% in the long run through:
- Accurate estimating without surprises
- Relationships with quality subcontractors
- Access to trade discounts on materials
- Efficient project management
- Fewer expensive mistakes
Always get multiple bids (3-5 is ideal). Ask for references and actually call them. Check licensing and insurance. And trust your gut—if someone gives you bad vibes during the estimate, imagine how you’ll feel when they’re in your home for weeks.
My friend Mike hired the lowest bidder who then disappeared for two weeks mid-project. The replacement contractor found serious electrical issues that had to be fixed. The “savings” vanished and the project took twice as long.
Mix High and Low-End Finishes
The secret to kitchen design on a budget? Strategic splurging.
Choose 1-2 standout features to invest in, then save on everything else. No one will notice budget flooring if your island has a stunning countertop.
Places worth potential splurges:
- Countertops (particularly on islands)
- A statement light fixture
- One special appliance you use daily
- Quality faucet (you touch it countless times)
Places to potentially save:
- Cabinet interiors (vs. faces)
- Backsplash (ceramic tile can look fantastic)
- Secondary countertops (like those along walls)
- Flooring in low-visibility areas
My favorite kitchen used basic subway tile for most of the backsplash but splurged on gorgeous handmade tiles just behind the range. That small section of expensive tile became the focal point, while saving hundreds on the rest of the wall.
Be Cautious with Open Shelving
Open shelving looks beautiful in magazines. But those photoshoots don’t show what happens after six months of kitchen grease and dust.
While removing upper cabinets for shelving might seem cheaper, consider:
- Your dishes need to be display-worthy all the time
- Regular cleaning becomes necessary
- You lose valuable hidden storage
- You might actually need more storage elsewhere
If you love the look, try a limited approach—maybe just one section of open shelves for items you use daily that won’t collect dust.
My aunt replaced all her upper cabinets with open shelving. Three years later, she put cabinets back, saying “I was tired of dusting my plates before using them.”
Reuse What You Can
Being selective about what you keep can save thousands without feeling like a compromise.
Potential items to salvage:
- Quality appliances with life left in them
- Solid wood cabinets (with new doors or paint)
- Hardwood flooring (can be refinished)
- Cabinet hardware (can be cleaned or painted)
- Light fixtures (might look new in a different context)
Even if you’re replacing something, consider selling usable items instead of sending them to landfill. Your “dated” appliances might be perfect for someone else’s basement kitchen or rental property.
I kept my six-year-old dishwasher during my remodel because it worked perfectly. That $900 savings bought the under-cabinet lighting I really wanted instead.
Tackle DIY Projects Where Possible
Labor typically eats up 20-35% of a kitchen remodel budget. Taking on certain tasks yourself can mean significant savings.
Good DIY projects for average homeowners:
- Removing old cabinets and appliances
- Painting walls and even cabinets
- Installing backsplash tile (with proper preparation)
- Installing cabinet hardware
- Assembling stock cabinets before installation
- Placing accessories and finishing touches
Projects best left to pros:
- Plumbing beyond simple fixture swaps
- Electrical work
- Cabinet installation (affects everything else)
- Countertop fabrication and installation
- Gas line modifications
Be honest about your skills and time. A botched DIY job often costs more to fix than hiring a pro from the start would have.
I saved $1,800 by painting my kitchen myself and removing the old backsplash tile. The work took a weekend, but that money paid for the fancy farmhouse sink I wanted.
Conclusion
Kitchen remodels don’t have to drain your bank account. With thoughtful planning and smart compromises, you can create a space you’ll love without financial regret.
The best kitchen renovations focus on what matters most to you—not what a magazine or TV show says you need. Maybe you care more about a quality range than fancy cabinet finishes. Or perhaps you want that gorgeous quartzite countertop but can live with vinyl flooring.
By setting priorities, keeping what works, and spending strategically, you can save thousands while still getting remarkable results.
Start with your budget, stick to it, and remember that some of the most beautiful kitchens aren’t the most expensive—they’re the most thoughtfully designed.
What money-saving kitchen remodel tricks have worked for you? I’d love to hear your experiences!
