Scott McGillivray Shares How to Remodel Your Kitchen on the Cheap

While I do not suggest taking on DIY projects like electrical, plumbing or even hanging cabinets yourself, there are a lot of things you can do to help keep costs down. Demolition, painting and even laying floors are things that can be done with a limited skillset. As long as you’re willing to take the time to do these tasks properly, you can save yourself a decent amount of money. Every little bit helps!

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My favourite way to update an old kitchen is to paint the cabinets. When compared to replacing cabinets, it’s quick, easy and very inexpensive. The only caveat is that the cabinets have to be in good shape. If your cabinets have seen better days, replacing them may be a better option.

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It’s one of the more controversial choices, but open shelving is a great way to save money on a kitchen remodel. The look isn’t for everyone and it requires that you be somewhat organized, but I turn to open shelving any time we’re on a really tight budget and need to save a few dollars.

Related: 11 Ways You Can Organize Your Kitchen Like Marie Kondo

Tile comes at a lot of different price points, but because some kitchens require a lot, the amount can really add up. If you’ve fallen in love with an expensive tile, I recommend using it as a feature in a small area and surround it with a less expensive tile (we love these subway tile backsplash ideas). If you try to use an expensive tile all over, you’ll see how quickly the cost of your kitchen renovation goes up. In some cases, paint in place of tile is a great option.

Using salvaged material is always a great way to save money. In a kitchen, you can use vintage tables and buffets as islands or armoires as storage. When you’re starting to plan your remodel, be sure to visit yard sales and antique markets for these types of things.

Want a stone counter but can’t afford custom? If you’re not too picky about colour, visit a stone dealer to see if they can get you an offcut for a good price. Granite and even marble offcuts can be great for smaller sections of counter and because or their small size, dealers are often willing to part with them for cheap.

If your cabinet boxes are in good shape but the doors are banged up, consider replacing just the doors. It doesn’t just save you money on materials, but it saves a significant amount in demolition and labour costs.

When shopping for appliances, don’t forget to check the scratch and dent section. Sometimes very minor imperfections can result in big discounts. And oftentimes, the imperfections are on an area that won’t even be seen, like the side of the appliances that may be hidden by cabinetry.

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