Ready to remodel your kitchen but don’t want plumbing costs to “flush” all of your funds?
Kitchen remodeling costs can skyrocket in a matter of days if you’re not careful. And the worst part is that plumbing alone averages $1,460 for a complete kitchen renovation. That’s before you even spend a dime on that farmhouse sink you’ve been daydreaming about for months.
The good news is, there are ways to trim your kitchen plumbing expenses without sacrificing quality. With a little careful planning and some strategic thinking, you can save thousands of dollars during your kitchen renovation without missing out on the functional space you desire.
Why Kitchen Plumbing Costs Inflate So Quickly
Kitchen plumbing is so much more than swapping out a faucet. There’s moving water lines, drainage, appliance connections, building code requirements, and more.
Think about what happens behind the scenes of your sink, dishwasher, refrigerator ice maker, water filter, garbage disposal, and any other fixtures that require water connections. Each of these requires drainage too.
It’s easy to see how moving plumbing fixtures around is where kitchen renovation costs quickly climb. Add in appliance upgrades like a dishwasher, refrigerator, range, or disposal and your overall plumbing budget can balloon before you know it.
With the median cost of kitchen remodeling currently at $24,000, it’s crucial to identify places you can cut costs without impacting quality.
The “Keep Everything Where It Is” Strategy
What is the most inexpensive way to reduce kitchen renovation plumbing costs?
Don’t move anything.
I’m serious. Moving kitchen plumbing fixtures is where your budget blows up. It’s not the cost of the fixtures themselves, it’s the moving of all of the pipes. Floors get torn up, new water lines are run, drainage pipes get rerouted, and permit costs are incurred when fixtures are relocated.
If you keep your sink, dishwasher, and other plumbing fixtures in their original locations you bypass all of this. The work is done in place, saving you thousands of dollars. Working with a qualified plumber for your kitchen renovation early in the planning phase can help you identify the most cost-effective fixture placement options.
Unless moving your plumbing fixtures is absolutely critical to the kitchen renovation plan, this should be your first line of consideration. It’s by far the best way to avoid inflating your kitchen remodeling plumbing budget.
You can still make plenty of other updates and changes that fit within the existing layout without moving fixtures around.
Smart Fixture Selections That Save Money
The best part of modern plumbing fixtures is that…
You can get budget-friendly ones that don’t look cheap. The key is knowing where to invest in quality and where to economize.
Budget-Friendly Fixture Ideas
- Quality mid-range faucet over designer brands
- Standard stainless steel sink instead of custom materials
- Avoid the luxury of a pot filler; they are an expensive luxury
- Standard-size fixtures that don’t require custom plumbing
The finish on your fixtures is far more important than the brand for visual impact. You can pick up a $200 faucet in brushed nickel that looks just as stunning as an $800 designer model.
Budget-Friendly Plumbing Options
Beyond fixture choices, the entire kitchen renovation plumbing plan should be economical without cutting corners. Here’s where:
- Choose quality mid-range fixtures instead of luxury or budget brands
- Keep standard-size fixtures in place to avoid custom plumbing
- Plan simple changes that don’t require pipe moving
- Do as much of the work yourself that is reasonable
Safety is paramount when it comes to DIY plumbing. Know what you can handle and leave other tasks to professionals.
DIY Plumbing Projects You Can Do
There are some kitchen remodeling updates you can definitely tackle yourself. These DIY projects will save you hundreds on labor costs:
Safe DIY Kitchen Plumbing Projects
- Installing a new faucet
- Replacing a garbage disposal
- Adding a water filter under the sink
- Connecting a dishwasher drain hose
- Installing a new sprayer head
Know your limits! Plumbing jobs you should always leave to professionals.
Kitchen Plumbing Projects For Professionals
- Moving gas lines for a new stove location
- Relocating water supply lines
- Permit-required work
- Installing new drainage systems
- Working on the main water shutoff
Professional plumbers have the tools, insurance, and knowledge to complete this work safely and correctly.
Reuse And Upgrade Strategy
Some of your existing plumbing components may be reusable or upgradable rather than replaceable.
For example:
If your existing pipes are in good shape, you might only need to swap out the fixtures. Your plumber can advise what is worth keeping and what should be replaced.
Reuse plumbing pipes that are in good condition and upgrade fixtures as needed.
Timing Is Everything With Plumbing
There’s a way to squeeze even more savings out of your kitchen plumbing budget…
Time it right. Plumbers, like most contractors, have peak and off-seasons. Winter months (outside of the holiday period) are often slower for plumbers, so may offer some rate negotiation.
You should also bundle your plumbing work. Do multiple projects at once to reduce labor costs. If you’re completing more than one job, doing them all at the same time will be less expensive than staggered projects.
The Permit Reality Check
Permits. They add hundreds, if not thousands, to any remodel. Why should you care for kitchen plumbing?
Permit costs usually fall in the range of $500-$1,500 depending on your area. And while the last thing you want to hear is how much MORE it will cost, don’t skip permits!
Unpermitted work can tank your home sale, force you to rip out and redo the work, land you in major fines, and create liability issues. It’s not worth it. Permit costs should be factored into your kitchen budget from the start.
Ask your plumber about permit costs early in the project timeline so it’s included in your budget from the start.
Get Multiple Quotes
Here’s something that should be a no-brainer, but most people skip this essential kitchen remodeling tip…
Get three quotes for your kitchen plumbing work. Every plumber charges different rates, and the variance between high and low can be astounding.
But don’t just pick the lowest. Consider what’s included in the quote, the plumber’s experience and reviews, when they can complete the work, and what their work guarantee is.
Shop around and consider all the factors above. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Budget-Conscious Plumbing Tips To Sum Up
Kitchen remodeling does not have to be a gutting of your bank account. By keeping existing plumbing fixtures in place, choosing mid-range materials instead of designer brands, and knowing which projects you can DIY and which require professionals, you can slash your overall plumbing costs by thousands of dollars.
The key is in planning everything out upfront and making educated decisions. Call in the qualified professionals for the complicated work and complete what you can yourself, but don’t sacrifice quality for the cheapest option available.
Remodeling your kitchen can be both beautiful and budget-conscious. It just takes some strategic planning and a willingness to be flexible on the small stuff that doesn’t really matter in the long run.