Stay on Budget! 7 Thinks to Know Before You Start Your Renovation
As the weather warms up, many people will be anxious start home improvement projects they’ve been putting off during the winter months.
If you’ve been itching to renovate your home but are a little tight on cash, we are here with some great tips to help you renovate on a budget.
Believe it or not, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to make your home look amazing. You just need the right ideas for inexpensive home upgrades to take your decor to the next level.
This article has tips for cheap home renovations that won’t break the bank.
1.Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan
The first step in any home renovation is to have a plan. The plan is intended to tell you the materials you’ll need, the amount of money the project will cost, and to keep your original vision on track.
After all, it’s easy to get distracted once the excitement of a new project is underway. Home improvement projects often get out of hand, and before you know it, you’re spending much more than you originally intended.
2. Do as Much Yourself as Possible
You might not have much construction experience, but tackling as much of the labor yourself is a great way to save money. You might even surprise yourself.
Home improvement stores offer a ton of tools and materials for helping even a novice to get things done. And online sites like YouTube offers plenty how-to video for tackling just about every type of project under the sun.
There has really never been a better time for DIY projects. Whether you want to build a patio, wallpaper a bedroom, tile a bathroom floor, or replace a toilet, you’d be amazed what you can accomplish on your own.
Hiring a pro might make things easier, but that can be expensive. Doing the job yourself not only saves money, you’ll also be able to take extra pride in the finished product.
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3. Use Reclaimed and Vintage Materials
It’s not always necessary to buy new materials. First of all, repurposing anything you already have is always a great idea.
We also highly recommend frequenting flea markets and other shops that sell reclaimed items. Not only can this save you a ton of money, vintage or used items can provide a cool rustic, lived-in look, plus it’s great for the environment to not buy everything new.
Consider shopping for vintage hardware, lamps, rustic wooden doors, and repurposed planks for use in wood flooring. After all, people pay a small fortunate for new materials that look vintage. You will simply be cutting out the middle man.
4. Sell Your Old Stuff
During a renovation, you’ll typically remove old material and appliances that you don’t want to keep. Resist the impulse to automatically toss the old stuff in the dumpster.
You might be surprised how much of the materials removed from your home can be sold. Especially used kitchen appliances. Post these items on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or any other online forum where people are searching for the type of things you’re hoping to get rid of. You’ll probably even make a few bucks in the process.
Keep in mind that just because you’ve owned an appliance for years doesn’t make it obsolete or useless. Someone else will be perfectly happy to put your old microwave oven, kitchen sink, or refrigerator to good use.
Most building materials can be recycled. So don’t waste wood or insulation by hauling them to a landfill. Manufacturers are doing amazing things with recycled materials these days. Do the earth a favor by reusing anything you can in your home renovation, and recycle the rest.
5. Communication is Key
When you hire someone to renovate your home, always remember that they can’t read your mind. Just because you understand what you’re thinking doesn’t mean that anyone else does.
No matter what the project is, it’s easy to have a communication breakdown, leaving plenty of room for misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
This is another reason having a solid plan is so important. After all, renovations can be expensive undertakings, so you want to avoid costly mistakes that occur due to simple miscommunication.
Don’t be afraid to over-communicate. Even if you’re repeating yourself, it’s vital that the message gets communicated clearly so that the work will get done right the first time. This will save money as well as a ton of stress and frustration.
6. Get Plenty of Bids
When it comes to the bidding process, there’s no reason to get in a hurry. It’s important to get plenty of recommendations for good building contractors. Talk to friends and neighbors, ask who they’ve used in the past, and get several bids before settling on the person you’re going to hire.
Keep in mind that taking the time to find the right contractor will produce a more pleasant outcome in the long run.
7. Set a Budget and Stick to It
When it comes to saving money on renovations, the key is to set a firm budget, plan accordingly, and stick to it.
Renovations are fun and exciting, and it’s easy for spending to get out of control. This is why you have to be disciplined. Be as specific as possible in your plans. Plan for potential unexpected costs ahead of time so that they are already accounted for.
In fact, setting a rigid budget and being disciplined enough to stick to it is among the best ways to save money on home renovations.
Learning to Renovate on a Budget
Home renovations can be stressful. After all, there are lots of decisions to make and you want to get the most out of every dollar you spend. That’s why these tips for helping to renovate on a budget are so important.
You’ll be surprised just how much money you can save just by following the tips in this article, and you’ll be happy you did!
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