Ways to Save Money on a Home Renovation

Yes, it’s that time now for home renovations. Major renovations can be costly, especially if you had not planned early in advance. Even the smaller renovations can also get out of control—and this shows the importance of planning well before the project.

However, renovating your home doesn’t have to be as costly as you think. You should note that there are several measures that you can apply to save money during your home renovation. So, the question is—how can you save money on a home renovation?

Consider reusing materials

One of the best ways to save money during a home renovation is to reuse some of the materials, like kitchen cabinets and appliances. Yes, at times you’ll feel like you want some new changes in your home. However, a simple paint job and refacing of these materials will get the job done.

If you realize that you cannot reuse all the materials in your home, consider buying these materials from places like building material auctions or salvage yards. You can also check online to see if you can find places with quality second-hand materials and appliances. At times, you might find someone who’s relocating, and wants to sell quality appliances. Also, you can be lucky and find some fine lumber remains from another project.

Searching for salvage materials can be fun, and also add some interesting and attractive features to your project. But, this can save you a lot of money on the project.

Be careful on how much you spend on your kitchen cabinets

If you’ve never done any renovation you should understand that kitchen cabinets can consume a large portion of your renovation budget. That’s why you need to look for ways to save money in this area.

Other than refurbishing the existing cabinets, you can also opt not to install the upper cabinets. In addition to that, installing open-shelving can help you to cut the installation costs. At times, retailers will offer discounts on cabinets—and you should regularly check on some of these retailers when doing renovations.

Have a good balance on both low- and high-end materials

You can opt to spend more on some of the most visible items like the countertops and appliances, and spend less on other areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. Also, you can opt to spend more on hardware and less on the cabinets and doors.

It can be a challenge to make this balance since all renovation projects are not the same. However, you should make sure that everything balances out evenly at the end of the day. You don’t want to spend more on high-end appliances, and less on the countertops. The secret here is—find the balance, and don’t be extreme.

Check on the pros and cons of the project

Before starting the renovation project, assess to see if the project will add any value to your home. This is very important, especially if you want to sell your home, and make a profit out of it. Talk to your realtor to see what buyers are searching for in homes. Then ask them what you can do in your home to achieve that.

Also, you can consult an architect to see if it’s possible to improve the spatial layout of the building without adding any extra square footage. Doing certain renovations like moving internal doors or walls can assist you in creating a better flow. However, you should make sure that all this is within your budget.

Sell whatever you are not reusing

Are you bored with your chandelier? Well, sell it so long as it’s in good condition. Also, don’t throw away your old fixtures if they are in perfect condition. Try selling them on websites like OfferUp, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.

Some of your old appliances, kitchen cabinets, hardware, doors, and other materials can attract people out there searching for these materials at a cheaper price. If you realize that no one needs these materials, just sell them at a junkyard or scrapyard. At the end of the day, you’ll end up getting some extra cash and when you do the math, you’ll have saved money on the project.

DIY renovations

This is one of the best ways to save money on any home renovation project. You might feel like you are not experienced in doing home renovations—but you shouldn’t fret at all. There are certain things that you can do to prepare your home before the renovation crew arrives. At the end of the day, remember that you are paying them per hour. Therefore, if you can do some tasks that can reduce the time the renovation crew will be working on your home, just do it!

If you have some DIY skills and you want to perfect them, capitalize on your home renovation project. Remember, YouTube is the best online teacher for DIY projects. Take that opportunity to learn new skills and polish the existing ones. You can also opt to rent your tools from a hardware store rather than buying new ones—and this will also save you money.

When planning to do DIY home renovations, you should note that there are some things that you shouldn’t attempt to do if you don’t have the necessary certifications. Some of these things include plumbing and electrical works. If you are experienced in certain jobs like demolishing walls and installing new load beams, ensure that you get a permit from the local authorities.

Pay in cash

Yes, this sounds simple. However, paying for your home renovation project in cash means that you won’t have to use your credit card, thus avoiding the interest associated with this payment method. In addition to that, paying in cash means that you don’t have to over-spend. You will only spend whatever you have! Therefore, you’ll realize that your home renovation project remains within your budget.

Bottom Line

It is possible to save money on your home renovation project. All you need is to make sure that your project is a bit different compared to others. Capitalize on sales promotions whenever you get the chance. Moreover, hire qualified, but economical contractors from AFS General Contracting to assist you with your renovation project. Moreover, follow the tips that we’ve discussed above, and you’ll end up saving a considerable amount of money in your project.