You have one room that needs to be renovated or remodeled. It may be your kitchen, which can be a pricey project, or it may just be an extra bedroom that you want to upgrade to a luxurious guest room. Whatever the case, there are suggestions and tips that can help you save money during this transition. These could include:
Have a Plan
Don't just jump into hiring individuals to work on the renovation without having a firm plan in place. Know the color scheme you desire, the appliances or fixtures (if applicable) you have in mind, the overall theme of the room, and the room's layout before even thinking of beginning. Cut out pictures from magazines, peruse the internet, and tour model homes to get a firm idea of exactly what you desire in this space. Have as many visuals on hand as possible when you finally choose a professional to help redo that particular room. Draw out a layout of the room to ensure that everything will be exactly where you want it. The clearer your vision is, the more capable he will be of making it the reality you are seeking.
Start the Prep Yourself
Most individuals will hire a professional to work on the specific room from start to finish, but some enterprising homeowners take it upon themselves to begin the process themselves. There are many tasks that almost anyone can do, but if they can't, there are so many DIY resources online like Rules of Renovation that can take them through the tasks step-by-step. For example, the room may be wall-papered, and the wallpaper has to come off before work can start. By taking on this task themselves, homeowners can save on the final cost of the renovation.
Viewing home repair and remodeling videos can tell homeowners exactly what steps to take to complete almost any small project. It may even be best if you did as much of the work yourself as you possibly can first, and then start taking bids from professions to complete the renovation.
Get More Than One Bid
Pricing varies widely between professionals, and it is well worth your time and energy to take several bids. Keep in mind though, that the lowest bid is not always the best choice. That individual may not have much experience, have a habit of cutting corners, or take a long time to finish projects. Take a hard look at experience, the time allotted for the project, and the references of each professional before making a final, educated choice. Be very clear as to any extras such as specialized tools and other items that you expect from the person you hire.
Purchase Your Own Materials
Often it is best to get a list from the professional you decide on as to exactly what supplies are needed to complete the room. If you don't, many individuals will up the price before passing the charges on to you. And be sure to shop around, especially if some of the items needed are high-dollar items such as kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, countertops, or lighting. Purchasing the materials yourself will ensure that you get the best pricing, colors, styles, and sizes of the items you want in that space.
As you can see, a small project like this doesn't have to be extremely expensive if you just follow the preceding suggestions. You will end up with the room of your dreams and will soon be looking forward to taking on the same type of project in another area of your home. Before you know it, your whole house will be upgraded to meet the needs of your family.
