Finances have been the main topic of headlines for several months now and it is not surprising that many people are thinking hard before making large outlays. This cautious attitude towards spending is due to uncertainty rather than a real lack of money for most people, but it is causing people to evaluate the value and potential future value of their purchases, especially when they spend money on improvements. for home.
For many people who want to improve their living environment, the alternative to moving altogether is some type of extension or renovation project. These can vary in scale, from minor makeovers, like decorating a room, to full-scale home extensions. Somewhere in the middle lie a myriad of improvement options, from installing new bathrooms to remodeling the kitchen.
Replacing a full bathroom, especially a kitchen, can result in significant cost, but in the case of the kitchen, much of the expense is unnecessary due to the fact that most kitchens don’t wear out, they just look dated or old. tastes change.
A few years ago there was a trend for natural oak kitchens and then came the trend for whitewashed oak. People’s preferences are influenced by the numerous coffee table lifestyle magazines and once someone has decided that they think their kitchen looks outdated, there isn’t much that stands in the way of changing it up.
But how do you achieve that new look without breaking the bank? Kitchen refits are notoriously expensive. The cost of new units seems reasonable, but once new appliances, new countertops, new plumbing and electrical are included and then all damage to nearby finishes is repaired, a hefty sum quickly comes in.
Getting to the new look you want simply by replacing kitchen doors and countertops is a much more cost-effective approach. Change the areas that are visible while leaving everything else intact. A specialist company will be able to provide you with everything you need to do just that, even down to the additional surface finishes you may need to tie the edges of the case in the new colors. Most of the work can be done by a reasonably competent DIYer, although tricky countertop surfaces, especially granite varieties, are best suited by an expert.
So how much would this approach cost? Well, this is the good news. Depending on the size and quality of the kitchen required, a full overhaul can cost anywhere from £ 5,000 to £ 30,000 for a large, high-end kitchen. Simply opting to replace your kitchen doors can cost as little as a few hundred pounds and there is no need to call in additional workers. Suppliers can custom build doors in any size, style and finish. They can also supply additional handles and even covers to match if you want to slightly extend the original kitchen. Just measure your existing units carefully and order what you need online. The vendors offering this service will walk you through the information you need to provide, including things like measuring the location of the hinge holes and how much space to consider between the drawers, for example.
For a more special makeover, consider a combination of new doors and drawer fronts along with granite work surfaces if you don’t already have them. Granite countertops are commonly seen in the fanciest kitchens and will only be adapted by home builders to larger properties where they are an expected feature for buyers, but there is no reason why your home should not use them. If you are saving money elsewhere, you are more likely to be able to afford it. The results of this combination will be astonishing in terms of effect and cost. Get the look of a brand new kitchen for one-tenth the cost of a complete repair.
If you really don’t feel able to measure yourself and get it right, you can call your own local dealer to do it for you. The end result is likely to be significantly cheaper than replacing the entire kitchen.
So while money is tight and moving house isn’t a comfortable option, give your home a new look by spending a little money on a new-look kitchen using replacement doors. A similar approach can be applied to your bedrooms and study, if you have one.