How to set a realistic remodel budget
The fastest way to a stressful project is a budget built on hope. Here is how to set a number that survives contact with real bids and real finishes.
What you'll learn
- Where remodel money actually goes
- Why you need a 10 to 15 percent contingency
- How to compare bids without getting fooled by a low number
Step by step
- Break the project into bucketsCabinetry, counters, labor, plumbing and electrical, permits, and finishes. Seeing the buckets keeps any one of them from blowing up.
- Build in a contingencySet aside 10 to 15 percent for the unknowns behind the walls, especially in older San Diego homes. You hope not to use it.
- Get apples-to-apples bidsMake sure each contractor is quoting the same scope and the same grade of materials. A low bid often means something was left out.
- Confirm what is allowance vs fixedAsk which numbers are real and which are placeholders for finishes you have not picked yet, that is where budgets drift.
A bid much lower than the others is a red flag, not a deal. Ask what is missing before you sign anything.
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Keep learning.
How to plan a kitchen remodel
A good kitchen remodel is won or lost in the planning, long before demo day. Here is how to think through layout, budget, and finishes so the build goes smooth.
How to choose a remodeling contractor
The contractor you pick matters more than any finish you choose. Here is how to vet one so you end up with a builder who stands behind the work.
How to read a contractor's estimate
Two estimates for the same kitchen can be tens of thousands apart, and the difference is usually in the details. Here is how to read one like a builder.