| If your dreams and your purse have looked each | | | | of the most intense wear of all kitchen products. |
| other squarely in the eye and your purse won, it is | | | | While the more expensive man-made solid surfaces |
| time re-evaluate! The kitchen is the second most | | | | cost more, they are also easier to repair and could |
| costly room, per square foot, in your home, after | | | | actually save a considerable expense if major |
| bathrooms, and is worth a significant investment, but | | | | damage is incurred.2. Is there a difference in material |
| there are ways to cut costs, bringing your purse and | | | | costs between colors and patterns?3. Is there a |
| your dreams together with a plan that is agreeable | | | | different edge profile that would be less |
| to both!Re-evaluate each cost estimate. Be sure | | | | expensive?Major AppliancesRe-assess your priorities |
| there is nothing you have overlooked.Consider what | | | | for the functions of these important kitchen |
| items you might be willing to negotiate, compromise | | | | components. Ice and water in the door may be |
| or eliminate.Follow these steps to be sure your | | | | important to cut energy costs and make it easier for |
| adjustments are realistic and do-able.Since cabinets | | | | youngsters to use the fridge, but must you also |
| are probably the largest single expense, now is the | | | | have the orange juice this accessible? Delay start and |
| time to visit dealer showroom again, asking some | | | | extra quiet insulation features may be important if |
| significant questions of your designer.1. Can you | | | | your kitchen is adjacent to your family room, but |
| reduce the number of cabinets in your plan by using | | | | you may be willing to compromise on the stainless |
| one where you now have two?2. Consider deleting | | | | steel door.Lighting1. Consider cutting back on the |
| or reducing the number of modifications or | | | | number of fixtures, if you can do it without |
| construction options first. The imaginative designer | | | | compromising the results.2. Consider less expensive |
| may be able to suggest other ways of achieving a | | | | models.3. Consider fewer wall switches.FlooringNot a |
| similar result without changing the depth of a cabinet. | | | | good place to skimp, but the floor covering can be |
| Can you save by ordering plywood sides only for | | | | upgraded later without disturbing the other kitchen |
| those cabinets which will have one or both sides | | | | components.1. Less expensive than other floors, high |
| exposed?3. Can you reduce the number of | | | | quality vinyls are still a great value and usually cost |
| decorative options, such as molding inserts, you have | | | | less to install than tile or hard wood, both of which |
| selected? How about making another decorative | | | | could be installed in the future and give your kitchen |
| hardware selection? Must you have the wine rack or | | | | an even newer look!Wallpaper/PaintNot a major part |
| could you purchase another type less expensively | | | | of your kitchen budget but these important items |
| than a cabinet?4. You may want to re-consider | | | | are still worth looking at to be sure you are getting |
| another style, wood or finish. However, if the "look" | | | | the value for your investment.1. Choose another, less |
| is your primary concern, try not to compromise on | | | | expensive wallpaper pattern. Be sure it is easily |
| this issue!5. Re-evaluate the functional features you | | | | strippable in case you plan to change it later.2. |
| have included. Now may not be the time to give up | | | | Choose a pre-mixed paint color or a less expensive |
| the wonderful pantry cabinet, but perhaps you could | | | | brand, type, but don't sacrifice "washability".Plumbing |
| install roll-out shelves for the base cabinets later. The | | | | and Electrical UpgradesSome of these costs may not |
| same may be true of other features. Are they | | | | be avoidable if you are planning a complete kitchen |
| available as kits you could purchase and install | | | | tear-out and remodel, since they may be required |
| later?Counter tops also represent a sizeable part of | | | | either by local codes or by the condition of old |
| your budget. Take a second look at when trying to | | | | systems.1. Consider selecting a less expensive faucet. |
| reduce costs of your kitchen plan.1. The easiest way | | | | It can be upgraded later without disturbing any other |
| to cut down the expense of the counter top is to | | | | feature in your kitchen.2. The garbage disposal is |
| select a less expensive material. Be careful not to | | | | another plumbing component that can be easily |
| expect the same performance from some of the | | | | upgraded at some future juncture. |
| less costly products. The counters must bear some | | | | |