It’s the end of the year, and after spending most of 2020 in your home, maybe you’ve realized that you want to remodel. But we know it’s been a tough year for everyone, and we want to keep costs down. We don’t want to cut corners, though. More often than not, skimping on quality can actually lead to more costs down the line. So how do we do it? How can we save on home renovation costs without sacrificing quality? How can we renovate a home on a budget? Here are some quick tips to help keep the cost down.
WORK WITH EXISTING FEATURES
One of the first things we think about when planning a home renovation is if we’re going to demolish anything or not. If you change out everything in your house except the structure, then it’s definitely going to cost almost as much as a newly constructed home. We definitely don’t want that. Carefully consider all the features of your house –the walls, floors, ceilings, rooms, etc. More often than not, there are some things that can be retained. If
your flooring is still in good condition, don’t rip it apart. Instead, you can change up your walls, cabinets, and furniture to match the existing flooring. You’ll still get a beautifully designed and cohesive look without destroying the budget.
Also consider what areas would benefit the most from a makeover, and put more focus on that. You can give more attention to your kitchen and living room since everyone in the family uses those spaces. On the other hand, the bedrooms might just need a fresh coat of paint, and not much else. The less work you need done, the less your project will cost.
DON’T MOVE AROUND THE UTILITIES
Similar to the previous point, you don’t want to move around plumbing and electrical wiring unless you really have to. On the outside, it may not seem like such a big deal to move your toilet to another side of the bathroom, but there’s water supply and drainage pipes connected to it. Relocating, replacing, and adding those can drive up the budget. It’s the same deal with wiring. If you don’t need to move the location of an outlet, then skip it.
If you’re really dead set on overhauling your kitchen or bathroom layout, you can take this renovation as an opportunity to upgrade your pipes and wires. Sure it’ll cost you more now, but it’ll save you money in the long run. Budgeting shouldn’t be limited to the present. You also need to look at it in the long term.
DO YOUR RENOVATION OFF-SEASON
Summer is the season for home remodeling in many parts of the country, and it’s not hard to see why. Warm and sunny days are good for working outside. There’s little risk of rain damaging materials. You can open the windows to air out any paint smells and fumes inside. But what this means is that contractors are going to be busy during this period. The cost of materials will also be affected because there’s more demand. Although it’s not a guarantee, by choosing to renovate off-season, it may be possible to get a discount from your contractor or purchase materials at a lower price. Unless there are conflicts with your personal schedule, it’s worthwhile to schedule construction works outside peak periods.
SHOP AROUND FOR ALTERNATIVES
It’s definitely much simpler to source most or all your materials from one supplier, but this probably isn’t the most economical choice. Different brands can have similar products, but one is cheaper than the other. Even if you’re looking at a specific kitchen appliance or bathroom fixture, its retail price may vary between stores. Also definitely look out for special promos or plan around yearly sale periods.
Shopping for alternatives isn’t limited to just materials, furniture, and appliances. It also applies to the professionals you plan to hire. Get multiple quotations from different architects, designers, and contractors. Take the time to compare their offerings and prices to get the most bang for your buck. It also gives you a better idea of how much your project will really cost you. Take care to note that the cheapest quote is not necessarily the best value for your money. Don’t forget to scrutinize their portfolio, track record, and if you can, get recommendations from a trusted source.
PLAN AHEAD
Lastly, make sure that you plan out your renovation and make decisions ahead of time. Have a good grasp of what changes you want to make, what fixtures you want to buy, and what design style you want done. The more
concrete and specific your vision, the more accurate the quotes and proposals from the professionals will be. You’ll also have a better grasp of where your money is going, and you’ll have enough time to adjust things. A solid plan also means fewer chances of project delays and communication errors.
Renovating your home is certainly a big investment. Being on a budget doesn’t always mean getting poor quality materials or amateur workmanship. With some forethought and careful planning, we can have beautiful living spaces, stay within budget, and keep home renovation costs down.
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