Christina Haack Shares Her Best Tip For Saving Money On A Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling the kitchen doesn't come cheap. With tearing out dated cabinetry, upgrading countertops and flooring, updating appliances, reconfiguring layouts, and paying for professional services, the cost of the project can skyrocket so fast, you'd be breaking the bank before you even realize it. Good thing there are ways to cut down on kitchen remodeling expenses, and HGTV star Christina Haack has shared the best one yet. 

In an interview with PureWow, Haack revealed that to save big on a kitchen remodel, you should go for fully assembled cabinets instead of custom-built ones. This tip may sound odd coming from the design expert since custom cabinets are generally considered superior to their pre-fab counterparts in terms of quality, fit, and options. However, Haack has already proven her expertise in kitchen remodeling on more than one occasion, including that time she unveiled a stunning subway tile backsplash alternative for a stylish statement in the kitchen. So, she has a good reason for endorsing ready-made cabinets in lieu of made-to-order ones.

Cabinets are usually the most expensive part of any kitchen remodel, eating up the largest portion of the budget. Hence, Christina Haack feels it's just right to look for more affordable alternatives. Custom-built cabinets tend to be pricy as they are made-to-order. On the other hand, pre-fabricated cabinets are fully assembled and ready to install. The downside is that they come in standard sizes, so there's no guarantee that they will exactly fit your space.

"You can get white cabinets for a pretty inexpensive price if you go with pre-fab cabinets, as opposed to custom," Haack told PureWow. "[They're] definitely affordable because so many people make them, so they have to be really price conscious when it comes to those." Apart from being inexpensive, pre-made cabinets come in a wide range of styles and finishes as well, so you can still give your kitchen a polished, designer look without spending too much. However, if you are eager to save even more on pre-assembled cabinetry, consider buying surplus or those already used by stores as display models. Just know that finding these cheap kitchen cabinets can be tricky and may require you to do some heavy lifting, like rummaging through your local furniture shops' overstocked inventory or convincing them to sell you their display units.

If you're ready to give your kitchen a refresh, then it's time to decorate your home the way Christina Haack would, without overspending. There are many high-quality, ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets available at an affordable price at Home Depot, IKEA, Amazon, and other furniture stores. Once you've chosen and procured what you want for your kitchen space, it's down to deciding whether you'll be the one to install them or have a professional do it for you. Your wallet will thank you if it's the former, though. 

Don't be afraid to tweak pre-fab cabinets to match the style you're going for in your kitchen. In case you've chosen white cabinets, like what Haack suggested, you can give them a custom touch by painting the doors and swapping out stock hardware for more stylish knobs and pulls. Should you decide to change your cabinet accessories, it would be wise to choose the same type of hardware as the existing handles. This way you won't have to bore new holes. Simply switch a knob with a new knob, or a pull with a new pull. But just so you won't go beyond your budget, only entertain these modifications if you have leftover paint lying around, or if you have money to spend on new cabinet fittings.