How to Remodel Your House on a Budget
>> Nov 23, 2018
Remodelling
your home is usually a very expensive process, and many people struggle to find
the right way to finance their renovations. Surprisingly, there has been almost 58 percent of homeowners that plan to remodel their houses this
year, with bathroom
and kitchen being the two most popular renovations.
It
may seem irresponsible to tackle expensive projects in an economic slump, but
many people are finding ways around this. If you are one of the people who plan
to remodel your home to make it a little more sweeter. Consider some of the
following home renovation tips and tricks that save money.
1. Figure Out What You Want
Before
anything else, you need to determine exactly what you want, right down to the
kitchen countertop material and the type of tiling work. Create a list of all
items and projects. By being very specific from the start, you can come up with
an accurate estimation for everything you need and adjust it to fit your
budget.
2. Compare Quotes from Contractors
As
mention earlier, by specifying these details up front, you can ensure that all
prospective contractors give you the pricing for the same or similar items used
in the project. Try to get recommendations for at least three trusted
contractors. You can seek out for this input from many sources; friends, online
reviews from trustworthy websites and more. Give the contractors specific
product lists and request a bid. Don’t forget to ask to see their recent works.
3. Be Flexible
Maintaining
flexibility in your options is an important way to stay within a budget. Many
stores will carry discontinued, unneeded specialty or excess stock items that
can result in discounts for you. You can even shop at stores that are going out
of business. The downside to this is the fact that it will limit the colour and
design options you have available, but it will pay off well when on a budget.
It may be worth it to let go of those prepared faucets or tile design ideas in
order to save more in the end.
4. Shop Online
Certain
items such as fixtures, lights, tile and even appliances can be purchased
online to find unparalleled deals. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars
by searching online for the best prices that have significant markdowns from
those in the hardware or home design stores. The downside to this method is the
fact that you can’t see the items you choose in person. When you receive them,
they may look different from the photos available online.
Also, if it arrives damaged, it may be difficult to return. Make sure you purchase from reputable retailers with responsible return policies and remember to take shipping costs into consideration when shopping with your budget in mind. It’s important to shop in advance if doing so online, as making any returns due to damage or dissatisfaction will delay the renovation process.
5. Do It Yourself
While
most home renovation tasks are very complex, some are simple processes that can
be done easily with a little know-how and additional research. You can check
books, guides, workshops, online house design tools or even home improvement
shows to learn more.
The
hardest and complicated tasks should be left to professionals, but you never
know how much you can save by tackling smaller projects on your own. Smaller
projects can be things such as laying flooring and painting the walls.
You
also have the option of starting or finishing a job a contractor does for you.
That gives you the security of professional quality, the benefit of reduced
costs for labour and the chance to learn a new skill.
6. Use Detached Additions
If
you have to add an
addition to your home by adding a new room or expanding an area, the best
money-saving move is to go for detached additions instead of attached ones. For
several reasons, a detached addition to your home is more likely to cost you
less than the attached one does.
7. Buy Your Own Supplies
If
your contractor allows it, buy the necessary supplies yourself. This will allow
you to control the cost of supplies in addition to ensuring you only get charged
for the materials that are actually used. It will also increase your chances of
getting the quality you want.
Final Thoughts
Most people try to live within some sort of budget, but that has not stopped them from taking on large home renovation projects. With the right methods like using an online house design tool, remodelling can be done efficiently while still saving money. Make sure to take your time when cutting costs so that you maximize savings without affecting quality.
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