Going Over Budget

Today I give you five reasons your custom kitchen remodel in Austin, Texas, goes over budget. But more importantly, I teach you how to prepare a more realistic budget for your custom  remodel and ways to prevent being caught with an unexpected cost. 

Since I started New Creations in 2006, I’ve seen countless people renovating with unrealistic custom kitchen remodeling budgets blindsided with unexpected costs causing them to run out of money before the project ends. Unfortunately, a lot of contractors don’t warn you before it’s too late. I Don’t want to see this happen to you! 

So, why does everyone go over budget during a custom kitchen remodel?   

1. Custom Kitchen Remodeling Splurges

“I work hard, so I deserve this,” “While we’re at it…”, “What’s an extra 3K to get the counters we want?” are all common phrases clients use to trick themselves into selecting items over the budget. Popular upgrades like Blue Motion Undermount Soft-Close, LED Lighting, Series E Ceasarstone, Lazy Suzannes, Thermador Appliances, and Custom Cherry Cabinets entice customers to overspend. 

 Roy’s Advice:

• Determine your project market cost by researching remodeling companies pricing for similar jobs.
• Talk to your designer and create a budget based on needs and wants.
• Ensure your designer only shows you items in your price range and DO NOT DEVIATE.  
• Don’t waste money on a design you can’t afford. 
• Be honest with yourself. If you want the best expect to pay the most. 

2. Great Room Trend

A great room is created by removing walls between the kitchen and the family and dining rooms. As a result, there are additional costs to “finish out” the ceilings, walls, and floors from the wall removal.

  Roy’s Advice:

• Decide if you want to create a great room from the beginning and include that in your project description. 
• Expect your costs to increase from a kitchen remodel to a multi-room remodel. 
• Ensure your kitchen remodeler is qualified to remove walls and add structural beams.  
• Ensure your estimate/service agreement includes all new construction finishes with the ceilings, walls, and floors when creating a great room in your home. 
• Opening walls expose you to unknown conditions, which can result in additional unexpected work and costs. 

3. The Snowball Effect

Remodeling your kitchen will outdate the remainder of your home. Once you start to update other areas, it “snowballs” into remodeling your entire house. 

Roy’s Advice:

• Decide the exact scope of your remodel and stick to it. Be specific in the planning and design phase. 
• Ensure your contractor provides a line-item estimate and service agreement detailing each product and service by room. 
• You won’t realize how much you hate the parts you don’t remodel until you live with the new remodel. 
• The budgets and timelines on HGTV are fake and unrealistic.  
• Select a remodeling company that specializes in providing an outstanding client experience to guide you.