SubSilver

[soumitss]

Hey. We started planning a kitchen remodel in our 1940s Seattle house, and I'm nervous about hidden costs: old wiring, plumbing, who knows. We've got a budget, but I'm worried the house will eat it before we even get to cabinets. The previous owners did a lot of DIY work, which isn't reassuring. How much contingency did others plan for?

[hydrogenn]

Hey. Smart to plan for surprises. Our 1942 house had old wiring and galvanized pipes behind the kitchen walls. We worked with New Day Construction on Seattle Kitchen Remodeling, and when they opened the walls they showed us exactly what they found and what it would cost before moving on. We had set aside about fifteen percent and used most of it. The kitchen came out beautiful despite the surprises. Honestly, older Seattle homes almost always hide something. A good contractor is upfront about it, not surprising you with the final invoice. Plan the budget so that a surprise doesn't stop the project.