There is no doubt that renovations are one of the most exciting things you will do in your home. Whether you’re looking for a fresh feel in your master bedroom, turning an old den into a perfect home theater, or completely redesigning a main room like the living room or kitchen, there’s a certain joy and rejuvenation when you set up your bedroom for a custom touch new home. However, it’s important to make sure that you don’t get completely lost in the process and commit yourself to something that is much more than you expected.
We’ve already talked about remodeling the one space you’ll be using every day, your kitchen, but today we’re looking at one of the most expensive parts of the process: domestic appliances. Let’s take a closer look at how appliances can affect your next project and what to consider before diving into this kitchen remodel.
Your current budget
The biggest impact devices will have on you is your budget. This is the obvious one. For those of us who don’t have endless funds to renovate, upgrading equipment is likely to take up a significant chunk of your expenses for the entire project. With that in mind, you need to make some serious assessments of the status of your current devices. How long have you been home? Are you still under guarantee? What do the new devices you are interested in cost and how much of your budget will it use? Keep in mind that some refrigerators these days can cost as much as $ 4,000!
Equipment costs later on the road
The first impact of buying equipment on your project budget is simple, but there’s more to it than that. As with many of the other big purchases we make every day, devices are likely to incur additional costs in the future, which sometimes still linger. Just as your car needs regular preventive maintenance (e.g. oil changes, replacement of brake pads, etc.), large appliances in the kitchen also need to be maintained.
Unfortunately, this aspect of the renovation process is often overlooked. If you do not plan to replace appliances while remodeling your kitchen, it is important that you are prepared for possible future problems. With proper care, devices can do their job for years, but make sure you’re ready to handle an unexpected bill in the future, and it will – it’s a matter of when Not if.
If these costs are incurred, they won’t necessarily be the cheapest either. Repairing a defect can cost anywhere from $ 200 to $ 400. Should you also lose an ice maker, be prepared for an additional $ 300 bill!
If you choose the new appliance route, there are other options to consider. This is where forward thinking becomes important. While you can stick to the same plan as those who don’t replace equipment (setting aside money for the inevitable repair bill that pops up), you can also take a more proactive approach about warranties.
Equipment warranties
Though I wish, homeowner insurance doesn’t cover the pesky broken dishwasher or oven that unexpectedly seemed to stop working at the worst possible time. However, if you have prepared in advance, things in your wallet will be a lot less painful. One of the ways to prepare is to make use of guarantees.
Extended Warranty: This warranty, also known as an “extended factory warranty”, is exactly what it sounds like. An extended warranty is an insurance plan that you pay for that covers your device for an extended period of time that goes beyond the original warranty that came with the purchase. You can find these offered by companies such as Kitchen Help, May dayand other major manufacturers.
Home guarantees: Another option is a slightly different “house guarantee”. In contrast to extended factory guarantees, house guarantees like Total Home Protect Gold Plan can cover multiple devices or even systems in your kitchen. As with the factory warranty, this is a pre-purchased service plan that covers the cost of repairs during the period covered.
Conclusion
No matter what your plans for this new kitchen, it’s always a good idea to take a step back and consider what the real cost will be, not just now but in the future. Look at the annual cost of different warranties and how much you can save for unexpected costs. Don’t forget to consider details such as service fees, cancellation fees, and the terms of the policy. Renovations should be an exciting change for your home. Don’t be stressed if you don’t prepare in time.