Home renovations can be exciting projects; however, their costs can easily exceed expectations without proper planning and monitoring. Most renovations will require significant structural changes, for which you’ll have to hire a variety of contractors, and purchase new fixtures or appliances yourself. This can be daunting, as quotes can increase over time, and additional expenditure frequently arises. Fortunately, there exists a variety of tips you can consider to decrease your overall costs and help you stick to your budget.
1. Creating A Rigid Budget
It’s essential to plan out how much you’re willing and able to spend in advance. You’ll want to leave room for unforeseen expenses in your budget, but make sure your expenditure plan does not exceed 25% over the totaling of your quotes. Once you’ve created your budget, you’ll need to look for an affordable contractor willing to work with the amount stipulated. You may have to reach certain arrangements, like limiting labor hours, to agree on a satisfactory rate. Working with a contractor is key when renovating your home. If you do not have a trustworthy contractor in mind, use ShoutHome to secure one in your area.
2. Paying In Cash
It can be tempting to take out a loan to complete necessary renovations. Loans eliminate the need for lengthy saving. However, loans and credit card debt will accumulate interest with time. Assume you’ll end up paying much more than you spent the longer it takes you to clear your debt. If you aren’t able to wait until you’ve saved enough money to complete your renovations, consider getting financing help.
3. Taking Your Time To Plan
Struggling to come up with the renovation cash might be a blessing in disguise. You can use this additional time to meticulously plan your expenses. You can shop around for contractors and manufacturers by comparing quotes, negotiating for discounts on the basis of advance payments (for which you can save) and asking about cheaper labor season. Comparison shopping can be done through ShoutHome which can help save you time and money during your renovation.
4. Prepping Your Space
When paying for home renovations, you’ll be charged per labor hour. It may be wise to research cheaper labor periods in your area (seasons during which labor is in lower demand, such as winter, will offer more affordable rates), and negotiate on minimizing the costs further by prepping your space yourself. Even if you aren’t quite the DIY guru, you can de-clutter and scrape mastic from the floor, or protect the rest of your surfaces from paint with covers you can purchase online.
5. Reuse Appliances
Appliances such as cabinetry can be reused. The rule of thumb is that if the material is in good condition, you may want to give it a new coat of paint or re-polish its surface instead of buying new appliances. If appliances look old but still have functional structures, you can replace their visible parts (for instance, cabinet doors) and leave the body intact.
6. Visit Salvage Yards
You can buy materials and affordable fixtures in decent shape at salvage yards, building material auctions and trade websites. In some cases, you might even find appliances in ideal shape from people who are moving and looking to get rid of some possessions quickly.
7. Schedule Your Purchases Around Sales Periods
Periods of sales such as the end of the year often involve considerable discounts and promotions for big-ticket items such as counter-tops and other appliances. Black Friday is known to offer fantastic discount deals that can slash the costs of your largest purchases in half. Schedule the best time to make purchases, and remember that waiting time is the ideal opportunity for you to do additional planning.
8. Keep Your Home’s Major Installations In Place
If a part of your renovation involves moving fixtures such as sinks, stoves, windows or bathtubs, you’re likely to bleed cash on a small component of the remodeling. Avoid removing walls with major fixtures, or you may have to hire a professional (plumber/electrician, etc.) to do the necessary installation adjustments, and will need to pay for moving materials. Seeking professional help during major installations can save you money in the long run because they have more knowledge for unforeseen costs.
9. Sell The Unnecessary
The things you aren’t using — and that are still functional — are all worth money. If you’re not a fan of current fixtures, such as lights or shelves, consider selling them before replacing them. You may be able to finance some of their purchases with your sale, and sites like Craigslist, OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace will allow you to compare offers to secure the best one.
10. Agree On What You Can Demolish Yourself
Minor demolitions are accessible tasks for most beginner DIYers. You’ll want to work with a contractor willing to offer you discounted rates based on parts of your installations or structures you can knock down yourself to reduce labor costs. To demolish a 200-square foot deck yourself, for instance, you would only be required to rent a dumpster and obtain a parking permit, which will save you several hundreds of dollars on final renovation costs.
A Concluding Word
To save money on your home remodel, you’ll need to plan your spending carefully and patiently. Instead of rushing into deals that seem appealing and agreeing on knocking down a bunch of walls, remember to only spend on the necessary. Your budget should be protected at all costs, so the more you stick by it, the less unfortunate surprises your wallet is likely to face. Make sure you are aware of what you can take on and what needs professional help. You cannot learn how to be a contractor, electrician, etc. online. Hire trustworthy professionals while taking on home renovations to help save time and money. ShoutHome can be a great resource to find you the professionals you need in your area keeping your remodel on budget.
