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Home renovations can range from small projects to changes in every room of your home. There are several ways to avoid draining your bank account while still adding value to your home and improving the aesthetics. Renovating your home can be very time consuming and expensive, but the results will improve your standard of living and increase the value of your home. If you want to renovate but are low on cash, follow these steps to cut costs and still get a beautiful end product.
Do-it-Yourself
One of the best ways to save money on home improvement costs is to do the work yourself. Labor costs can eat a huge chunk of your budget if you’re not careful. Plus, many improvement tasks don’t take a lot of skill or knowledge to get it done well. Learn how to complete tasks by looking at tutorials and videos online, and always read the instructions on the products you use. Many things can be done yourself such as:
• Demolition (tearing out old walls, floors, fixtures, etc.) • Painting walls and trim • Installing pre-finished wood flooring
• Installing fixtures
Other tasks like installing kitchen cabinets or floor tile can also be done by the homeowner but are harder tasks to complete. If you’re not knowledgeable in electrical or plumbing, you may want to leave those things for the professionals. If you do hire professionals, buy your own supplies and prepare the spaces they will work on as much as possible. They get paid by the hour, and the more they have to do, the more you’ll pay out-of-pocket.
Find Good Deals on Materials
Never overlook yard sales or Craigslist for fixtures and materials. Sometimes people will sell used products that are in good condition or new tubs or sinks that didn’t fit their renovation. When you’re shopping at stores, look for coupons and sales. Measure and estimate carefully so that you don’t buy more than you need, but keep receipts so you can return excess if necessary. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is also a great way to find low-cost materials while also helping those in need.
Plan it Right
A good plan is critical to a successful home renovation. Plan out renovations in such a way to avoid new construction or moving plumbing or electrical. These are all expensive tasks that can often be avoided if what you’re doing is primarily cosmetic.
Don’t be too set on certain materials. If you’re dead-set on a certain floor tile and you find out something very similar is on sale for half the price, be willing to adjust. It will save you a lot of money to be less picky.
If you’re renovating your home, stay on top of things and be smart about your choices. Even if you have most or all of the renovation done by a contractor, you can still have a say in what materials are used and how things are done. Stay involved in the process, and be smart about your choices.
Lucy James is a freelance writer helping to represent APL Clothing online. APL provide a wide range of workwear from PPE construction hard hats to chef’s uniforms.