If you have plans to renovate your home but don’t have unlimited resources to do so, it is possible achieve your goals while maintaining a practical budget. Whether you want to update your home in order to put it on the market or desire to live out your golden years in the dream home you’ve always wanted you can do so without breaking the bank.
Here are some tried and true tips to help make your renovation project more affordable:
GET OUTSIDE HELP
Hire a designer or realtor to help you visualize the renovations you desire. A fresh set of eyes can help you figure out what changes are really important to you and will increase the value of your home. If you can’t afford an interior decorator, be your own designer. Get ideas from home magazines and design books to get you started on the right track.
BUY YOUR OWN SUPPLIES
Instead of purchasing painting supplies from your professional contractor, buy your own at the hardware store. Paint averages about $15 per gallon, and buying certain supplies yourself can save you alot in the long run.
DISCOUNT STORES
Not only can you save on buying your own paint, but save yourself some dough by purchasing little things on your own as well. Things like faucets, light switches and doorknobs don’t need to be purchased from a designer store. You can really save a buck by heading to the discount warehouse stores such as Lowe’s to purchase the more insignificant pieces for your project.
WHOLESALERS
While on the subject of discount stores, you can find great products at low prices at wholesale warehouses. For instance, you can save 20-30% if you purchase your carpet at a warehouse rather than a chain carpet and flooring company. And you can still find quality products at warehouses, if you know where to look. Ask around to find a reputable wholesaler.
DEVISE A PLAN
The most important thing you can do to cut costs on home remodeling is developing a plan. Think ahead–if you’re planning on staying in your home for the long haul you’ll want to spend more to make it your dream home. Draw up a budget with a budget calculator. A good place to start setting up a budget is homeimprovementweb.com.
BONDED CONTRACTORS
Lastly, make sure the workers you hire are insured and bonded. The quality of the work can depend on the contractor and how his company is bonded. Make sure all construction workers you hire have a contractor license bond. This guarantees workers will follow state guidelines and regulations regarding the building and construction of their work. It also protects the consumer (you) from faulty work, fraud and unfinished projects.
Just like auto and homeowners insurance, you’ll need to insure your remodeling project as well because investing all that time and money into your project is a very important venture, and you’ll want it to be protected.