Can you take renovation packages?
In short, you can, but you can’t change a single thing within the renovation package.
Renovation packages have become more and more common in recent years, as renovation firms create an “affordable” solution for basic renovation needs.
Example is as follow: $8,888 for kitchen renovation package
12 ft top cabinet
12 ft bottom cabinet
12 ft quartz table top
Hack existing kitchen floor tiles
Supply and lay kitchen floor tiles including waterproofing and cement screeding
To be absolutely clear, we are never fans of such renovation packages.
First, no two houses are the same, in terms of layout, needs and wants. By agreeing to such a package, you are “forced” to stick to what the renovation firm mandates in the package.
You might think “Okay, i’ll get the package and then change some things. It will still be cheaper.” You will be taken aback. Any variation orders, or changes to the packages, is likely to lead to excessive charging from the renovation firms. This is how they earn their keep.
For example, if you want a longer bottom cabinet of 20 ft from the current 12 ft, the increase of 8 ft might lead to a charge of $200 per ft run, when the market rate goes for $150 per ft run.
At the end, you will probably feel like a chicken in the coop, unable to alter things to your liking without bursting your budget.
Two, it opens customers up to a lot of hidden costs. Renovation is a technical process as well, with many jargons. As a result, it is too easy for renovation firms to play around to jack up the price.
For example, service yard is most of the time connected to the kitchen. When you remodel your kitchen floor tiles, you might think it includes the service yard, but renovation firms can just turn around after the contract is signed to say “oh service yard is excluded”.
Things like this are hard for consumers to look out for, which explains the large unhappiness in the renovation industry. We have seen countless times where consumers are lured by the “low prices” but end up having an excessively expensive and unpleasant renovation experience, which is why we did this article, to throw caution to the wind.
Our advice: just don’t go for any renovation packages - it’s rarely worth the price.
Follow us below to hear more!