Saving Strategies

--Keeping the basic layout. We were lucky to have a scheme that already placed storage, cooking, eating and cleaning areas where we wanted them. We knocked down no walls and moved no pipes or major wiring.

--No contractor’s fees. We scouted out our own workmen, checked their references and backed our own judgment on who’d do competent and reliable work. For each task, we found at least three possible crews to allow for mismatches in schedules.

--Buying materials ourselves, we obtained ‘professional’ discounts by having our workmen phone in our orders. We used our own van for hauling, paying no delivery fees. Most suppliers agreed to accept returns of unused merchandise, so we placed our orders early to secure items that might become discontinued or out of stock. (Sometimes we had to pay a small restocking fee.)

--Putting new veneer, doors and hardware on our existing cabinets. Hollow core doors were also about a third cheaper than solid ones and less heavy.

--Replacing only appliances that couldn’t be repaired. We kept our dishwasher, cooktop and refrigerator. We also kept the existing mini-blinds and two lighting fixtures.