If you’re planning on renovating your home on a budget, you need to have a plan, stick to it and pay attention to details. When it comes to home remodeling tips, there are many ways to keep costs down, and we’ll list them below.
Set a Budget and Stick to it
Avoid one of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when renovating their property and set a budget right at the start. If you don’t have it before the project begins, you may end up spending much more than you originally anticipated. Take your time and figure out how much you can afford to spend. That will ensure that you manage your budget during the project and stick to it successfully.
How Handymen Calculate the Job Cost
Do Your Renovation Off-Season
Summer is the peak season for a home remodeling project, and it’s easy to see why. Warm and sunny days are great for working outside, and there’s little risk of rain damaging materials. It’s easier to air out any paint smells and fumes from your home as well. However, all contractors are very busy during the summer months. The costs of materials are also higher because there’s more demand. If you decide to renovate during the off-season, it’s possible to make significant savings on materials and contractor fees.
Save on Material Costs
There are many ways to save money on material costs. You can search for recycled or reused building materials to cut down on your expenses. Reused materials can still be in excellent condition, so you can afford more high-end items for an affordable price. If you definitely want some expensive materials, use them only for small areas where you want to make a statement.
When the renovations begin, don’t let any suitable materials go to waste, and reuse whatever you can, whenever you can. For example, you can reuse some of your cabinetry without replacing them.
Find Good Deals on Essential Pieces
You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for the essential pieces for your home remodeling project. For example, if you want to buy granite countertops, don’t rush into buying them in the first store you stumble upon, but instead wait a little while and find a sale. The same goes for a kitchen island, new windows, toilet, shower, and anything else you want to replace. If you want to buy brand-new appliances for your kitchen, and you aren’t under any time constraints, always wait for them to go on a seasonal sale, which is generally around the holidays of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Other items go on sale at various times and if you have a place to store the materials you can buy them when they go on sale and stockpile the materials until you are ready to start the project. This has two advantages in that you get the materials at a cheaper price and you spread out the costs over time.
Perform some DIY renovations
You may feel that many repairs and renovations are out of your league, such as:
- Structural work
- Bricklaying
- And other skilled work
Those tasks should be done professionally. But you may be surprised that
- Plumbing
- Electrics
- Tiling
- Window fitting
Are not as hard as they first seem and there are plenty of YouTube videos that can show you how it is done. So, you can certainly perform some DIY projects on your own to save money on household repairs. Just be sure that you have proper equipment and tools and adequate protective gear to avoid possible damage and injuries. Also, be realistic about your skills and learn what you can about the easiest tasks, such as landscaping and decorating.
Avoid Interest Whenever You Can
When you want to keep costs down, one of the best home remodeling tips is to pay cash instead of credit for materials and contractors whenever you can. That’s how you’ll avoid paying hefty interest charges. Furthermore, sometimes contractors are willing to give you a certain discount when you offer to pay cash for their services. The one exception to this is that “Big Box Stores” often offer discounts or promotions for you to use their credit cards. So it may be possible to get a 10% discount plus get 6 months to pay interest-free. Just be sure to read the terms VERY CAREFULLY and get it paid off well before the time limit expires or you may be liable for interest for the entire 6 months if you are even one day late.
Sell Anything That You Intend to Replace
One of the crucial home remodeling tips and ways to keep your costs down is to sell anything you want to replace, provided that it’s still in good condition. Don’t just throw away valuable items, such as appliances and similar stuff, instead list them for online sale. There’s always someone who may want to buy it. Selling old but functional items will help you recoup some of the renovation expenses and help someone less fortunate than you at the same time.
Be Smart When Hiring Contractors
Everybody wants their home renovations to look amazing, but hiring the most expensive contractors in your area doesn’t mean that you’ll get the best quality service. If somebody from your friends or family had a home remodeling recently, you could ask them for a recommendation, especially if you like what you see as a final result at their home. You can also check social media for recommendations and be sure to get multiple quotes from a few different contractors and then choose the best one that meets your needs. Just keep in mind that clear communication is the key, so be open and honest with your contractor right from the start. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions about things that you don’t understand. Be clear about your budget limitations, and have regular meetings with them to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Avoid Expensive Trends
Even though styles are constantly changing, we all want to keep up with the recent trends, and they are usually expensive. A better and more cost-effective approach is to observe what you possess, such as tables, chairs, armchairs, sofas, and all other furniture, and think about what you can make out of it. For example, if you are renovating a living room, you can use furniture that you have, but change its design by repainting or reupholstering it. Some pieces need just some restoration to look brand-new.
Plan for the Long Term
Saving on renovation costs means thinking about upgrades that can save you money in the long run. For example, you may not have enough money to spend thousands of dollars on solar panels, but you can invest in good quality insulation and LED lights. If you’re doing structural remodeling, you should opt to make the most of natural energy such as natural light and heat for long-term savings. When it comes to buying new appliances for your kitchen, choose those that are energy-efficient. That will reduce your energy bills in the long run. Also, consider smart technology features whenever possible. Then you’ll be able to easily control the energy usage and optimize your home per your wants and needs.
All in All
It’s always possible to save money, even on your upcoming renovation. You just need to be willing to make some compromises and be open to some alternatives. Take advantage of every possible sale and all the listed home remodeling tips which will help you in your pursuit of saving money.
