The best thing you can do for yourself when planning a renovation is to create a budget. Mind you, keeping the changes on a budget does not necessarily mean you are interested in cheap remodels. It’s an excellent way to stay on course, not spend too much, and stay out of debt. One or more of the following ideas to renovate your home on a budget can help with all that, as well as offer practical solutions.
1. Do the renovations yourself
DIY projects are the best option if you want to save money when renovating your home. While you may not be handy in laying tiles or carpentry, you can do other things that will help your renovators stay on a budget. For example, you can demolish walls, tear down floors, and remove unwanted furniture.
However, you can do a more creative job, like painting the walls and wooden furniture. Whatever you are efficient to do, it may lower the costs of renovations, especially if you pay a crew per hour.
2. Shop around for materials
The No. 1 rule when shopping on a budget should be to not buy everything at once in one place. It may take you some time and patience, but exploring various vendors and suppliers can get you materials at affordable prices. Another option is to negotiate a deal when buying more items from one store or you can search for current sales.
Those looking for designer pieces or expensive options can make do with knock-offs. You will find plenty of materials that will turn your home into a luxuriously looking space without spending lots of money.
3. Take your time when choosing renovators
Hiring renovators is something you will have to do in most cases since some tasks require expert and precise work. For example, you will need a plumber for bathroom renovations and an electrician to add new lighting to the living room.
To choose the right person or company, ask for recommendations from people you trust, although you should look at more than one option. The ideal situation is to receive at least three quotes for your renovations and choose the offer that has the best match between quality and price.
4. Go for simpler solutions
Sometimes, it’s not within a budget to do certain renovations, like changing the hardwood floors. However, you can still have beautiful floors if you refinish the hardwood instead of completely replacing it.
The same applies to other renovations. For example, you can repaint the tiles or add mirrors instead of adding windows for more natural light. Moreover, you can spend money on hardware, while doors and cabinets can be repainted or made from cheaper materials.
5. Turn to professional cleaners
If you have to go to work or have furniture arriving, you need the house cleaned and liveable as soon as possible after renovations. Using professional house cleaning services doesn’t have to be expensive and can turn out better than doing it all by yourself.
Decluttering and cleaning after renovations is more than dusting and wiping since the dirt and debris from building materials can be persistent and end up everywhere. What would take you a few days, a professional service will clean in a day or two because they have the manpower, machinery, and expertise.
6. Reusing the original materials
When you renovate, a lot of pieces and materials may end up thrown away. Instead, see what you can reuse from those items and make something new. For example, if you demolish a wall and end up with a bunch of terracotta bricks, you can use them in the interior design or for a build. New bricks are pricey so this will both keep you on a budget and give you a stylish solution for no extra expense.
Old doors and other woodwork are also great examples of how you can reuse materials. You can make counters, cabinet doors, and coffee tables from all the unwanted wood on your hands when renovating. If you do not need any discarded pieces, try selling them and earning extra money to put in your renovation budget or set aside for something else.
7. Get your permits before renovation
Building permits are something you should take care of first, before even creating a budget. If you start renovations without appropriate permits, a building inspector can stop the works and order you to tear down everything done so far.
After you acquire the permits, you will be allowed to restart the renovation from the beginning. This means that your costs will increase significantly, ruining your ideas and goals for the renovations or leaving them incomplete.
In conclusion
Home renovation is not something you should do in haste. Start by creating a plan and a budget, and then look for affordable and quality materials, professionals, and solutions. Keep in mind that sometimes it’s best to pay a little extra if that will bring you closer to what you want.