A home renovation project can quickly get out of control, especially since this kind of work on the home can be unfamiliar territory for you. It can be difficult to know which moves would be economical and which ones would cost you more in the long run. To make sure your project does not go over the budget you have for it, here are some tips we hope will be helpful.
1. Plan the Project Step by Step
Don’t rush into a renovation project. If it isn’t an emergency, then take as much time as you need to figure out some of the key details. First of all, determine what you want to do with the renovation, including which fixtures and components you need. It will be helpful to consult a contractor with this part of the planning, even if you want to do some of the work yourself. You can get help from suppliers too, asking experts at your local hardware and home improvement stores about their recommendations.
Figure out what your budget is and then determine what your renovation process will be. At which point do you bring in a contractor? How long should everything take? How long will you be without the use of that room you are renovating? By answering these questions as well as planning out the entire process, you can get a head start on future steps in the renovation process and contact people you might need to help you. That way, you can ensure their availability for the time you will need them.
2. Do the Demolition Yourself
If you are able to tear out some of the old fixtures, paneling, tiles, and other components in the room you are remodeling, then why not save some money and do that on your own? The only major issue you might have is the length of time it would take to do this work. If you are working on your own and the room needs a lot of demolition, then you might end up stretching out the project much longer than you originally expected. If the room isn’t one you use too often and you can afford to do without it for a while, DIY demolition can be incredibly economical.
Just make sure to take proper safety precautions as you do the work. If you don’t feel confident in demolishing the room in preparation for renovations, then do not try to cut corners here and do it yourself.
When it comes to cleaning up the debris, it may be overwhelming to try to tidy it up on your own. It may be wise to hire a cleaning crew to do this part of the renovation for you, getting the debris out of the way so you can quickly and safely move on with the next steps. That could save you money as well, since they can clean up faster than you and can keep the dust and debris from spreading throughout the house.
3. Don’t Get in over Your Head
You might think it makes sense and saves money to get through with the renovation project as quickly as possible. That’s not true, though. You could end up making some poor decisions if you try to rush things, and you could go into serious debt by pushing the project to completion quickly when you run out of funds. There is a tendency to rack up credit card debt during a renovation, as expenses can quickly get out of control. As much as you might have carefully budgeted and planned, some materials and labor could cost more than you expected, and there might be unanticipated expenses to deal with.
Instead of going ahead with the renovation when you cannot easily afford it, the smarter move would be to put things on hold, try to get the room back to a semblance of usefulness for the time being, and wait until funds are available to continue. You can take things one step at a time this way and not rush into serious debt.
4. Use Your Existing Materials
There may be some construction materials that can be taken from the room you are remodeling and used in the new project. Be careful when doing demolition or when having anyone do the demolition or you. Before any demolition begins, determine which materials are usable and carefully remove them and set them aside until they can be used. Make sure they are stored properly to prevent damage.
This can be an excellent way to shave off some of the cost of renovation, reducing expenses on not just materials but also delivery fees and other related costs. Some of the existing tiles might be worked into the new design, even if they are taken from the floor and used as décor on the wall. Cabinets and cupboards can be saved and moved around to fit the new design and then repainted to give them new life.
5. Shop for Used Fixtures
You don’t have to buy all of the fixtures brand new for your renovation project. There might be some used fixtures available for sale in your area. Check local listings, like Facebook Marketplace and classified ads to see what people are selling that might work well in your renovation. Also check yard sales and estate sales for great deals. If you have the time to shop deals and you find some used fixture that will work, you can save thousands of dollars. Be sure to put this tip into practice as early as possible.
There you have our short list for ways to save on home renovation costs. These are just a few of the great methods you can use to cut costs and get your project done under budget. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot to get a great-looking room. Please let us know in the comments below which of these tips you tried and how it worked for you.
