I don't have a budget... or do I? One of the first questions we ask a potential client is "What's your budget"?Indefinitely they respond that either they don't know there budget or they have no budget.EVERYONE has a budget whether you know it or not.Save yourself and your kitchen professional a lot of time and develop a realistic budget.Nothing is more disappointing than getting all excited about a kitchen design, only to find out that it's way over your budget!
A budget will help you "shop" for all the items that go into making your kitchen.For example, you may have a relatively small budget but want to replace your cabinets in a large, expansive kitchen.The budget would then dictate that you need to select a simple cabinet and door style, and a standard stained finish.If you had a larger budget, then you might decide to put in high-end, luxury cabinets with a painted, glazed finish.Without setting the budget FIRST, it becomes really counterproductive when you start picking out elements of the design that won't really fit your budget.
Budget based on priorities Budgeting goes hand and hand with your priorities.If you love to cook, you'll probably spend more on your appliances.If you love to entertain and/or have a large family, your layout will dictate a need for more cabinets and countertops.If you want your kitchen to be a showstopper and impress your friends, you might choose the best of everything (even high-end stainless appliances even if you don't cook a lot).Prioritizing what is important to you and what is not, is really the first part of budgeting.Once this is determined, it's time to take out a pencil and paper, and write down your budget.
