A home renovation or remodeling can increase the value of your home, but many people think it’s too expensive of a project to take on. Even if you’re not planning to sell, remodeling your home can make your space more comfortable for your entire family.
However, your budget for a home remodel can quickly spin out of control if you don’t plan carefully from the beginning. Even worse, you can end up starting projects and not having the money to finish them.
The good news is you can do more home renovations than you realize as long as you know the tips and tricks for keeping your budget low. All you need to do is learn how to be strategic about your design, materials, and timing for your remodel project. Doing this allows you to cut costs but not cut corners on quality.
In this guide, you’ll learn the top tips about how to remodel your home on a budget!
Create a Budget and Find Deals
The most important step is creating a budget before you begin your home remodel project. The best way to start creating your budget is to shop around for the materials and supplies you’ll need. Remember, you can save a significant amount of money by buying recycled or lightly used building materials and fixtures.
Using repurposed wood is affordable, eco-friendly, and reduces waste. You can use repurposed wood from many different things, such as:
- Old wooden window frames
- Doors
- Chairs
- Pallets and crates
- Barnwood
You should also take this time to look at design ideas to ensure you have all the materials you need. The expert team behind Homelier Pro suggests looking for storage and design themes you can incorporate together since it will save you money and also give you more storage space. You also need to take into account the cost of any permits you’ll need to get to renovate your home. Be sure to check the rules and regulations for the city you live in.
Do Your Own Demo Work
Remember knocking down walls, and other demolition work can become expensive if you don’t do the work yourself. For example, if you want to redo your deck, then look at the process of dismantling it yourself.
At most, you’ll need to rent a dumpster to properly dispose of all materials you cannot repurpose, which will cost you under $500. Hiring a professional to demolish your deck will cost you well over $1,000, depending on how long it takes. If you do this with as many projects as possible, you can easily save yourself hundreds of dollars or more on each project you do.
However, you’ll need to be careful with this. If you’re taking down walls and accidentally destroying a load-bearing wall in your home, you’ll be paying a professional a lot of money to fix your mistake.
Choose Professional Contractors Carefully
If you know there will be projects that you can’t handle on your own; you’ll need to begin searching for local contractors. It’s best to start this process early to give yourself enough time to do research.
Before you start researching, make a list of what you need for your project. Then, you can narrow down your search to the top 3 to 4 contractors in your area. Check Google and review websites like Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor to find reputable contractors. Take the time to read customer reviews and look at each contractor’s website. You’ll also want to check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for reviews, ratings, and complaints.
It’s also a good idea to take this time to look at what other professionals you might need for your remodeling project. For example, if you need help with electrical work, then hiring an electrician is well worth your time. It can also save you money since you’ll have a professional that can take care of risky electrical work you’re unfamiliar with. Doing this on your own will cost you more money in the long run.
Take On Your Own Projects
While it’s smart to hire a professional when you need them, you’ll save money by determining what projects you can take on by yourself. The room you’re remodeling will determine this. So, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, look at ways you can “DIY” these tasks.
Adding a backsplash is a fantastic way to update your kitchen and is fairly simple for you to take on alone. You can choose the materials yourself at a local hardware store. Mosaic tiles or white subway tiles are popular yet inexpensive. If you want to skip grouting the tile, look for tiles that have peel-and-stick options.
Also, look at inexpensive flooring options for your kitchen that you can install without professional help. Vinyl flooring is available in tiles, sheets, or planks and is one of the easiest floors to install. If your subfloor is in good condition, you can install it directly over the subfloor and avoid paying for a new underlayment. The most inexpensive type of vinyl is peel-and-stick tile, but you can also find vinyl plank floors that click together to create a floating floor.
Laminate flooring is also a great inexpensive option to consider. Laminate floors are designed to look like real hardwood, stone, or slate. They’re also easy for DIYers to install and usually have planks that click together.
Install Energy-Saving Features
Finally, another way to save money on your remodel is to install energy-saving features. If you’re looking at remodeling the kitchen, you can consider using ENERGY STAR appliances which are more energy efficient, saving you money on energy costs long-term.
If you’re going to buy new windows, take a look at high-efficiency windows with thicker insulation. This will cut down on drafts and reduce your heating and cooling costs substantially. You can also look at switching your lighting to LED bulbs since they’re more durable, last longer, and use less energy. They’re also better for the environment and are a necessary addition if you’re looking to make your home a green home.
Although it may seem more expensive up front to take this approach in your remodel, the energy and money you save overall make it well worth it.
Remodeling Your Home on a Budget
Following these tips will help you get a great start on your home remodeling project while allowing you to stay on budget. However, this is only the beginning. Be sure to do more research to find more ways to save money while upgrading your home.
You can find plenty of information on the internet about how to learn to do more projects on your own. You can even consider asking a friend or family member for help.
