If you’ve been thinking about a kitchen remodel then updating your kitchen countertops are a great place to start. You may think that changing out your countertops is a huge and expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be either one. Use these four tips to update your kitchen with new countertops and save money at the same time. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen and are looking to enhance the counters and cabinetry, or if you’ve just moved into a fixer-upper these kitchen remodeling tips will help.

4 Ways to Save Money On New Kitchen Countertops

1. Kitchen countertop ideas: Choose Your Material Wisely

Another place to save money when replacing your kitchen counters is in your choice of counter material. First, you should consider what you really want, because you will be living with your countertops for a long time. Perhaps you love the classic look of marble and granite, or maybe you prefer the industrial look of stainless steel and concrete. Next, think about how much maintenance you are willing to put into your countertops. Marble and butcher block are higher maintenance than other materials. After all of this is done, think about the price. Butcher block, tile, and laminate are three of the cheapest counter materials available, and can help you achieve a variety of styles. If you need help choosing a countertop look at this Popular Mechanics article: 6 Great Countertops: How to Choose the Best Material.

2. Consider updating your kitchen cabinets along with countertops

Many people think that to significantly change the look of their kitchen, they need to replace their kitchen cabinets and countertops, but as long as your cabinets are structurally sound, this is not the case. Changing the look of your kitchen cabinets is as simple as washing them down thoroughly, adding a coat of fresh paint in a modern color, and updating your kitchen cabinet hardware. This can all be accomplished in a day, and will make a big difference in your kitchen’s appearance. After you update your cabinets, you can plan the installation of your new kitchen counters right on top of your existing cabinets, saving a significant amount of time and money over replacing both.

3. Get 3 Professional Kitchen Remodeling Estimates

Once you’ve thought about what you want to do in your kitchen and what material you want to use for your counter, talk to a few professional contractors. Most contractors will provide a free estimate on a potential job, and they may have some good ideas for how to achieve the look you want for less money. It is a good idea to get more than one estimate on any job you are thinking of contracting out to get a better idea of the price. Three estimates will give you a good idea of the price range for your job, and will give you three different opinions on how best to do your job.

4. Kitchen Design: Consider a Do It Yourself Countertop Project

If after talking with the pros you think it all sounds pretty easy, then consider turning your kitchen upgrade into a DIY project. If you are confident in your construction skills, this can be a huge way to save with new kitchen counters. You can find lots of tutorials online that show you how to work with most common countertop materials, and you can rent most of the bigger tools you’ll need to do the job. So enlist the help of a friend or two, buy your materials, and make over your kitchen in a weekend with refreshed cabinets and a new countertop. The DIY Network has an article about installing granite countertops. Take a look and see if you can do the job yourself.

Use these four tips to help you update your kitchen counters this spring, without breaking the bank. Choosing your material wisely, updating your old cabinets when replacing your kitchen countertops, and doing the work yourself can save you lots of money while allowing you to achieve your desired kitchen you’ve been always wanted.

For more kitchen remodeling tips visit our kitchen and bath archives.