You can enjoy a kitchen upgrade, but you must watch the cost carefully. Benchtops form the main work area and also shape the kitchen’s style. The price for a new benchtop depends on the chosen material, the design, and labour. In Australia, renovation bills can rise quickly, so cost-saving becomes important. You can cut costs with planning, sensible choices, and comparing options. To save money, you must first learn the available benchtop options. In cities like Sydney, people search for lower-cost choices, and the market has many. Laminate, stone, timber, and engineered surfaces all need different installation steps. If you compare suppliers and installers, you can spot better price options. For example, kitchen benchtops Sydney suppliers may offer deals that include installation.
Choose Cost-Effective Materials
Your benchtop cost depends heavily on the material you pick. Granite and marble fall under natural stone, and they come with high purchase and installation costs. Engineered stone provides a similar appearance at a lower cost and it is easier to maintain. Laminate benchtops sit among the cheapest options, with many colour and finish choices. Timber benchtops can stay affordable when sourced locally, but they need more upkeep. A balanced choice in durability, aesthetics, and affordability can lower your total cost.
Plan Ahead and Steer Clear of Rushed Choices
Saving money isn’t just about digging in the right part of your wallet; it’s also about when you pull your wallet out. Another way to save some cash is to be a bit more forward-thinking. Lots of homeowners vastly underestimate how much of a difference making a last-minute change can cost, which can all of a sudden get out of hand. Changing the size, shape, or material of a benchtop after things are already underway tends to add on more labour costs and just get rid of some perfectly good materials that you paid for and paid for well. Avoid all this by popping out a tape measure and getting your kitchen space measured up just right and finalising your design before you even order anything.
Compare Quotes and Get A Better Deal
The cost of doing a benchtop installation is a big chunk of the bill, and it all depends on who does the installation, the guy who does it, how well known he is, and where he’s based. To make sure you’re paying a fair whack, get a few different quotes from different people. Working out which one is the best value gives you a bit more bargaining power as well. Some installers might be willing to match or undercut a competitor’s price, especially if you’re flexible about the timing. Trying to get a good deal isn’t always about just asking for a lower price; it’s about getting a bit of extra bang for your buck. For example, you could ask for the removal of an old benchtop or ask for some minor adjustments during the installation without charging you any more. As long as you approach the conversation politely but firmly, you can still save yourself some cash.
Think About DIY Where You Can
For homeowners who are pretty handy, taking on some of the installation work themselves can be a smart way to save a bit. While installing a stone benchtop is probably best left to the pros because of its weight and precision requirements, simpler stuff like laminate or timber might just be something you can get away with if you have some basic skills. Even if you don’t do the whole job yourself, you can still save some cash by getting the prep work done. Removing an old benchtop, sweeping out the area, or doing some minor adjustments to the cabinets can all reduce the amount of work the pros have to do. Just be realistic about your abilities, and don’t get too cocky; messing up can cost a small fortune to fix.
Leave a comment