Financial Fellow

Written by J.P. Wicklein

     This past fall I remodeled my kitchen to make my condo more attractive to potential buyers.  (I’m selling it to move in with the love of my life).  The new kitchen features maple cabinets, a granite countertop, and stainless steel appliances.  The best part was that I did the entire remodel for under $10,000.  Here’s how:

1)   Free kitchen design services:  I used Home Depot for the kitchen design.  For $100 Home Depot sent out a subcontractor to measure my kitchen.  Next, I sat with the designer and, over several sessions, designed my kitchen using my ideas while he navigated the kitchen design program.  When I ordered the cabinets and countertop through Home Depot the $100 fee was refunded.  I must have spent 15 hours with the kitchen designer and it cost me nothing.

2)   Heavily scrutinize the design:  By swapping out cabinet types, cabinet sizes, and moving appliances I was able to cut out hundreds of dollars from the original kitchen design without sacrificing any aesthetics. Shaving off an inch here and there from the granite countertop also contributed to the savings.

3)   Shop online:  I ordered my sink and faucet through an online retailer.  I found several online retailers that offered better deals than any brick and mortar store.  The stainless steel appliances I bought were also cheaper online.  Shipping fees can, however, erase the online savings.  I avoided shipping fees by buying the appliances through Home Depot – after I got them to price match the Internet offer.  (In many cases Home Depot won’t match online retailers.  I had to go to 3 different Home Depot stores before I found an employee willing to do it.)

4)   Coupons and Promotions:  Home Depot will usually update their promotions on a monthly basis.  While I was doing the kitchen design work I kept an eye on their current and upcoming promotions to figure out which one would allow me to save the most money.  At the time, Home Depot was also circulating $10 off coupons for any purchase over $75.  To ensure a steady supply of coupons I just asked the customer service department for a coupon each time I stopped in the store.

5)   Handyman labor:  Instead of using a professional kitchen installation company for the labor, I used a local handyman with solid references and a good amount of experience remodeling kitchens.  His quote was $1,500 less than two professional kitchen installers (one of whom was the Home Depot subcontractor).     

6)   Discontinued flooring:  I bought my flooring from a discount warehouse.  They were selling quality, brand name hardwood flooring for around $3 per sq. ft.  They sold it so cheaply because the manufacturer had discontinued the line.  The problem, however, was that the discount warehouse didn’t sell the transition pieces.  I was able to overcome this obstacle by finding matching transition pieces at another retailer. 

     Admittedly Home Depot doesn’t sell top of the line cabinetry or fixtures.  That said their prices are significantly cheaper than what many kitchen design companies will charge for the same thing.  In the end I wound up with a very nice looking, well furnished kitchen for under $10,000.  Judging from the reactions of potential buyers I think I faired pretty well.