Home renovation is by no means an easy task. It requires a lot of planning ahead and can hardly be done without an appropriate budget. This, however, does not mean that every single home renovation job requires a sizable budget, but rather that the expenses quickly pile up, and if you’re not careful you will easily go over your budget. That’s why we’ve prepared these 5 simple tips you can use to save money during your home renovation efforts.
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Know when to call in the big guns
Most work around the house, including the backyard, you can do yourself. Whether it’s repainting the house, fixing the windows or sprucing up the bathroom or the kitchen, most of these tasks can easily be accomplished with patience and some Internet browsing. However, fixing the roof, breaking the walls to install a new window or anything that has to do with the foundation can be rather risky and even a small mistake can end up costing you a real fortune.
Hiring a professional company is the single best option when it comes to situations like these. They might cost you a pretty penny, but compared to the amount of money you would have to spend to fix your mistake, that cost is more than reasonable.
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Consider recycled materials and second-hand appliances
You’d be surprised by the sheer amount of high-quality recycled materials you can buy for the fraction of the price you would normally pay when purchasing brand new ones. Bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, doors, windows, tabletops and even roof tiles can all be recycled and reused. Reclaimed wood is an excellent material for recycling and an environmentally friendly option which can be used for floors, doors, furniture and even bench tops.
There are entire companies dedicated to selling recycled goods, which is an ideal solution for green families and all those trying to renovate their homes while keeping a tight budget. What’s important is to be patient when sifting through all the recycled options and double-check for any damage before you actually make an investment, especially if you’re doing all of your shopping online.
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Learn how to compromise
You’ve probably experienced falling in love with something only to have your heart sink to your feet once you spot the price tag. It may be a rather difficult pill to swallow, but you might have to curb your expectations and realize that there’s a big difference between what you want and what you actually need in order to finish the renovations without burning a hole in your pocket. Sit down with your partner and make a list of absolute necessities and a second list of things you really want but don’t necessarily need. Focus on the must-haves and consider getting the more expensive stuff only if it fits your current budget.
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Find a trustworthy architect
Most large-scale projects require a full-time architectural commission. This often involves a lot of meetings, multiple visits to the site and numerous construction drawings and sketches, all to cut down a measly couple of percent from the overall construction budget. Cranking out formal construction drawings can be extremely costly, as most architects charge by the square foot. A better and far more efficient option would be to find a trustworthy architect you can call in for a one-time consultation.
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Raise your home’s curb appeal
Most people who do house renovations tend to buy a house cheap, do a full makeover and sell it for profit. This often includes investing in stuff that simply makes the property look better in order to wow the potential customers into buying it. This is called house flipping and when executed properly using a sufficiently low budget, flipping a house can prove itself to be a rather lucrative endeavor. If the prospect of flipping a house sounds interesting to you, then it may be best to seek out professional investment property advice in order to avoid making a huge financial mistake.
These are just some of the most useful tips you should consider the next time you decide to renovate. Some tasks can be accomplished with some dedication and hard work, but have in mind that the best renovators are those who know exactly when to call in the big guns. Buying the cheapest materials might sound like a good idea on paper, however, it’s only a matter of time before they give up and force you to replace them all over again. That said, don’t go for the most expensive ones either, or you’ll quickly burn through your entire budget without actually completing the renovation.
