So, you’ve decided to remodel your home. That’s great! Remodeling can be a great way to keep yourself mentally active and feeling productive; not to mention you get to bask in the glory of a new(ish) home!
However, it can be far too easy to spend more than you’d originally intended on doing.
Quick Tip:
While it’s important to create a budget beforehand and stick to it, we also recommend paying for everything in cash if you can swing it.
Even if you can only purchase some materials in cash and have to get the rest later, it will end up benefiting you in the long run.
As you won’t have to deal with any potential late fees on a credit card, or any exorbitant interest rates you may even have some extra money left over for future remodels and updates!
Also, if you can finish a task DIY instead of hiring someone, do that! While general contractors have great value, they can quickly take up your budget.
Let’s take a look at 3 ways to save money when remodeling your home, so you can get the biggest bang for your buck!
Read Also:
- 5 Things You Need to Consider Before Starting a Home Remodel
- 5 Tips for Designing Your Home as Environmentally Friendly
- How Often Should a Roof Be Replaced? A Helpful Guide
- Mistakes to Avoid During Home Renovation Projects
- Necessary Things to Consider Before Construction
- Common Equipment Used for Renovation
1. Make Small And Noticeable Changes Outdoors
As the weather starts getting nicer, you and your family are going to want to spend more time outdoors.
While there are many people who have the urge to take on a larger project such as creating a new deck or putting in a new pool, you don’t need a lot of cash to make a big difference.
There are a couple of items that are particularly transformative, easy to install, and easy on the pocketbook! We’re talking about shade sails and solar lights. Let’s take a quick look at each.
Shade Sails
These sun canopies serve a multitude of purposes, so you really get your money’s worth out of the deal.
Coming in a large selection of different colors, chances are no matter which shade or mood you’re going for, you’ll find just the right tone.
Versatility is the name of the game here, so it doesn’t matter what size or shape you need as they come in a wide array of both.
Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also provide a cool spot of shade for you and your guests, so you can enjoy the fresh air all summer long.
As the best models are UV-resistant, you can count on them holding their color and look brand-new for many seasons in the future.
They’ll also protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun, so you get the best of both worlds.
Solar Lights
Solar lights may make a small dent to your budget, but a big difference in your home. They can be used as floodlights, patio lights, string lights, and so much more.
The possibilities are endless, so you can really get creative with them. Use them for security, for lighting up night parties, or adding a bit of character to your lawn.
The eco-friendly lights are completely powered by the sun, reducing your carbon footprint by using less energy from non-renewable resources.
This means you’ll be spending less on your electricity bill, too!
The easy-to-install lights require little-to-no maintenance as they’re made to be weather-resistant, though you may need to clean the panel(s) every so often.
2. Select Quality, Mid-Grade Materials
Premium materials are attractive for a number of reasons, but they can rapidly increase the cost of your remodeling project.
This is particularly important if you’re planning on putting carpet or new counters in, as they both come with huge price differences.
For example, if you’re planning on going for wool, you can expect to spend around $9 to $11 per square foot, which is going to add up to quite the bill if you’re re-carpeting a significant area of your home, such as a large room.
However, an easy way to minimize your expenses would be to opt for basic olefin or polyester carpeting, which would take you all the way down to a mere 1-2 dollars per square foot.
That’s a huge difference when you start adding it up!
Another little piece of advice if you’re planning on tiling the bathroom floor, is going for tile board, hardwood flooring, or other inexpensive/convenient options!
On the other end of the spectrum, searching for the cheapest of everything can make the process much too time-consuming and challenging.
Not only that, but the least expensive options probably aren’t going to hold up as well as middle-ground alternatives.
3. Add Paint
Paint is one of the best ways to maximize results on a very low budget. Of course, there are different qualities of paint out there, and in this case, you’ll want to also go for a middle-of-the-road option.
You want something that’s going to last for years to come (or until you decide to change colors again), that’s going to go on smoothly, and never chip nor fade.
Even if you aren’t prepared physically or mentally to paint an entire room, a single accent wall can completely transform a space.
If you are happy with the colors of your walls, try painting cabinets or a piece of furniture!
Repurposing furniture can also be a budget-friendly, low-cost project and you can do so by simply adding a new coat of paint/stain, or changing out the pulls/knobs.
Summary
Now that you’ve had the chance to read about some of the best ways to reduce costs during a home renovation, which tips are you going to apply?
The great thing is, they’re so time and cost-effective that you can even take them all into consideration if you’d like!
No matter what you decide, your home renovation should be a fun and positive experience. We hope that this guide helps you do just that, all while saving you some cash!
Remember, if you’re feeling nervous about taking on DIY projects, there are plenty of helpful videos on YouTube that will lead you step-by-step through the process!
