Emeril in the House

There are concrete and specific ways you can cut kitchen remodel costs and still experience a gourmet kitchen.

Keep the fixture locations static. Anytime you move plumbing or electrical housing you jack up the cost of a remodel.

Think twice about using trendy colors on major expense items. Keep these items neutral and save splash for easily replaced or changed sections, such as wall color. These neutral colors also tend to be cheaper in major appliances and more readily available.

Flooring can be a high price item yet is crucial to the overall look of your new kitchen. Vinyl and laminate are at the low end, but may not provide the look or feel you are going for. If the current flooring is in good shape and you don't hate it consider keeping it. There may even be solid wood flooring underneath a vinyl floor that can be sanded and urethaned for a durable and good looking floor. Anytime you need to tear out, however, to replace, you add cost. It might be cheaper to have the current flooring covered over by a floor leveling product and then lay the new material.

Cabinets can be a significant portion of your kitchen remodeling budget. You have a number of options. If your current cabinets are sturdy and in great condition on the inside, you may be able to get by with a refacing, replacing the current doors. The footprint of the cabinets remains the same and does not require any changes to the flooring. Any upgrade in the cabinets can be costly as well. Use standard options rather than custom pieces and you will also save.

Marble or granite countertops are de rigueur these days, but there are hard working, stylish laminates that may be an option for your new kitchen.