7 Things To Avoid On Your 2027 Remodel

In spite of the struggling economy, I see a strong level of interest in home renovation projects right now. What I’m finding though is that people are growing aware of the rising cost of labor and materials, and are trying to find shortcuts, or less expensive ways of doing what they want to do. Price shopping is nothing new, but this is a different sort of maneuver. This is trying to pursue luxury results with a bare-bones budget. And it’s impossible.

Even a contractor who is struggling to find work, who charges the bare minimum still has to charge far beyond what most homeowners are budgeting for, before materials.

Plus, homeowners have become so specific about what they want (thank you social media and AI) that really there’s not much way to cut back on costs of materials either.

I often hear folks say “We don’t need anything fancy, we are simple people with a “minimalist” style.”

But here’s the thing: Style does not always correlate with price. I am notorious for selecting the simplest tile on a wall full of samples, and having it be one of the most expensive.

A simple wood cabinet does not cost much less than a “fancy” wood cabinet. It’s still wood. It’s still a cabinet. It still took a factory and super expensive equipment to build it. It still took a skilled carpenter to install it properly with all the necessary hardware. That is a LOT of non-negotiable stuff packed into a single essential component of a typical remodel.

Is it possible to save money if you have a “minimalist” style? Sometimes, but seldom do people have any idea what they’re talking about when they say that. Rather than take clients literally when they try to classify their style, I will review several visuals with them to identify their personal target aesthetic. Everyone is different, and virtually no one can accurately classify what their style is with words.

Getting back to the numbers, high quality remodels have become less universal and are now a luxury product, regardless of a person’s style or needs.

Kitchens will start at $200k

Baths will start at $50k (more for primary baths)

Full home remodels will start at $1.5M

Let the eye rolling begin!

I know, I know, you saw what some DIY influencer in Indiana did for $15k. That’s great. It’s also based on a completely different lifestyle than most Bay Area homeowners are living.

So what can you do to save?

Assuming that your wish list has some flex, here are some popular items to AVOID in your remodel that can cut your material costs by around 20%, and usually your labor cost as well. You’re still gonna spend way more than you thought, but it will be less than if you specify any of the following:

1.        Inset panel cabinetry

This is more expensive to build and to install but delivers a noticeably higher end look. While I never compromise on the all wood construction of a cabinet, the panel style and frame style I will adjust based on the overall budget and what is essential for a client’s target aesthetic.

2.        Quartzite

I know, that one was non-negotiable right? You may want to think again on that. Quartzite is a terrific stone, but is more expensive as a base material, AND more expensive to fabricate. So you’re paying noticeably more than you would on material and labor than if you selected a granite or a marble (depending on the marble). There’s also porcelain which can be affordable, but you'll want to pay more for an experienced fabricator and installer. And because stone is such a sizable investment no matter what you select, I strongly recommend a Pre Reno Consultation.

3.        Custom appliance garages

Tell me you want to spend a shit ton of money, without telling me. This is a big ticket item, so if you want to spend any less than $200k on your kitchen, just put the damn mixer in the pantry. That might sound like a ridiculous figure, but I assure you it’s not.

4.        Zellige tile

Big ticket material. Bigger ticket installation. This one is all over Insta and social media, and few are mentioning the nightmare of installation for this material. If you are fussy about finer details, this is your warning, back away from the zellige. It can work beautifully for certain applications, but proceed with caution, and if possible consult with a well qualified designer first.

5.        Mitered tile

Look, I get it, you read on IG to only ever use miter joints on tile installation. Here’s the thing: A proper mitered tile installation takes a seasoned professional installer who charges a premium. Can it be done? Yes. Can it be done for less? Big fat NO, especially when working with zellige. If you are serious about cutting costs on your remodel, start by selecting a tile that works well with a specific Schluter edge color. There are various profiles of Schluter available. I will say this: Never leave the Schluter selection up to your contractor. That is how ugly sloppy Schluter decisions get made. Before you finalize your tile selection, make sure it works with a stocked finish of Schluter. You want to work with a designer, or a tile representative that knows their way around color decisions. Home Depot will not help on this one.

6.        Wall removal

I have to mention this one, because many homeowners and contractors default to removing walls assuming it will make things better. Sometimes it does, but not always. Removing a wall/s by itself is not expensive. It’s the snowball effect of impacting other areas and the flooring of these areas that results in a difference of tens of thousands of dollars. Keep your footprint the same if you can. A good designer will be able to confirm for you the potential of a space in either scenario.

7.        Skipping the designer

Umm, but weren’t we talking about saving money? I’m not suggesting a full-service arrangement (although that is essential if you have a dual commuting household and budget flexibility), but rather a consultation to discuss your needs, budget, and give you direction. This can eliminate many hours of back and forth with your contractor. A couple meetings with a vetted designer can save you dozens of hours in showroom visits and cut down substantially on decision fatigue. Not to mention, if a qualified contractor gets the sense that you will be indecisive or don’t have a clear plan, the cost will go up noticeably more than the amount of a consultation fee. If you like order and want to make your remodel as swift, clean, and worth the investment as possible, you may want to consider a Less Stress Package. It truly saves you hundreds of hours, oodles of frustration, and has better results for your investment. It's not cheap, but not unreasonable for what you get.

I hope this has been helpful. If you need guidance and are planning a remodel for your home in 2027, I invite you to check out my services page and/or my other helpful articles.

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