Updating your kitchen? Don't forget to budget for these unexpected expenses that could blow your budget out of the water.
The only thing of which you can be certain when budgeting for any renovation project is that you’ve more than likely under-budgeted on at least one expense. This according to Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, who explains how many homeowners have been forced to grind a project to a halt when met with an unexpected expense that blows their very carefully planned budget straight out of the water.
To help prevent homeowners from drowning in unexpected expenses when the holes in their budget begin to show, Goslett lists some of the most commonly overlooked expenses in any kitchen remodel:
1) Replacing Flooring
“If you do not have any spare tiles or floor boards stored somewhere, you might not be able to keep the original flooring, especially if you are planning on replacing the cupboards. Often, after having removed the cupboards, homeowners will find that there is no flooring underneath or that the flooring is damaged and needs to be replaced. If you are newly purchasing a home, be sure to check whether the seller has any spare tiles or floorboards leftover from the original flooring and ask if they could leave these behind when they move.”
2) Accidents Happen
“If you are getting new appliances delivered, or are newly moving into the space, it is advisable to keep all appliances (both old and new) out of the kitchen until all construction work is over – unless, that is, you’re looking for an excuse to replace something. While throwing a plastic sheet over a stove or fridge might protect these appliances against the dust that results from a construction zone, it by no means protects them against accidents.”
3) Plugs & Plumbing
“One of the most overlooked expenses is the call-out fees for plumbers and electricians during these renovations. If you are planning on shifting appliances or want to move the kitchen sink, you will need to make sure you have enough money set aside to pay for this. These professionals easily charge a R500 hourly service fee, so be sure you fully understand how long these jobs will take before committing to this expense.
4) The Power of Comparison
“What might start as a minor update can easily escalate into a full-blown remodel. Homeowners often don’t realise how outdated certain features of their kitchen are until they start replacing things and the shortcomings of these features are highlighted against the newness of the updated features. Before you know it, this can spread to other rooms in your home that you once thought perfectly acceptable until set against a remodelled kitchen.”
As a final piece of advice, Goslett suggests that homeowners speak to their trusted estate agent for advice. “As experts in the property industry, it is likely that your estate agent has helped other homeowners with kitchen renovations before. They could use this experience to advise you on reputable local contractors and provide guidance on what kinds of other hidden costs you might expect on a renovation like the one you are planning to undertake,” he concludes.
Read more: How to survive a kitchen renovation
