How To Save on Home Renovation Projects

From magazines to your neighbors, renovating homes scares people by increased costs of buying a home by giving their old home a new look. The thing is, when a home or room is remodeled, given all the possibilities, there can be furniture changes, painting, trimming, reupholstery and many other options.

So how does a trendy homeowner fit a remodeling project into a budget, so you don’t have to take out a second mortgage? There is no right answer, and your solution will depend on the project you are undertaking.

The best way to save money on your remodeling projects is to learn how to remodel your home. Don’t hire a decorator and don’t be in a position to seek professional help. There are so many self-help kits out there. Most remodeling projects are simple to do yourself.

Even some tasks that seem incredibly intimidating, like adding a hardwood floor to your area, are not that difficult. You just must be willing to spend the time doing it right – time investing that will make you a fortune when it comes to professional investments with your home.

When you start your project, take stock of what the assets of the room you want to remodel are. Take advantage of space, additions and furniture you have on hand. Then start planning your upgrades by considering the benefits the room has to offer.

Remodeling a room can be as simple as adding a few pieces of fabric and accents. A dining room, for example, doesn’t need a whole new set of furniture to look fresh and contemporary. Instead, consider updating the look of the linens and change up your colors and styles.

The key to the modern model is to keep everything flowing, so when you decide on a new linen pattern, choose some window treatments that follow the same color scheme. Window treatments are usually inexpensive, and an ambitious worker can design and sew their own curtains. Any combination of window treatments will give your room a fresh look, so you may want to think about a combination of blinds, curtains and shades.

DIY renovations don’t need to be limited to one room. Chances are, once you get started, you’ll find yourself eager to freshen up the look of every room in your home. With a variety of DIY shops, books and magazines, you have every chance to save a fortune on your remodeling project.

A home remodeling these days has already gotten a lot of attention. There is potential return and improvement in quality of life, probably because people realize that such a home renovation is an investment. Well, then what does it take to remodel the best home? It mainly depends on quality and cost.

Of course, in home remodeling, not only will you have to consider cost, materials, and design, but there’s also the time and effort factor. Homeowners must estimate the approximate time or duration this reconstruction will need and take.

When to Start Home Renovation

If you are thinking of celebrating a big birthday party at home in a week, you cannot start remodeling the kitchen or dining room. As with budgeting your funds, you must learn how to budget your time, not sacrifice the quality of the work for an unrealistic schedule.

Also, there are important things to think about.  These are: material or product – cost, quality, health and environmental impacts, maintenance, etc.; workforce – functions, labor, skills, etc. location – neighborhood, demand for goods, etc.; electrical and mechanical – wiring, fuses, etc.; and the layout or design of all modifications. Before starting this task, one should first know the inputs and outputs. This may seem and sound easy, but it really isn’t. You can pay someone to oversee everything, but if you don’t understand these things, you may not be satisfied in the end.

Another important point is that since this is always an investment, it should know how you will recoup the expenses spent on remodeling. This doesn’t mean that someone should not do the project, but it just means ensuring that the home remodeling is within context and parameters, and not overdone.

Plan your renovation

It’s important to plan and calculate your replacement costs well, as well as deciding how to spend your budget.

It is cheaper to create new rooms from existing space rather than expand your home. Removing structural costs from a project can save you more than half on construction bills, so you can focus on interior flooring and wall coverings, new electrical and plumbing. Such projects include attic, basement conversion and garage conversions.

If you are aiming to undertake a major building project, always seek advice from a renovation professional who can guide you. Also, be sure to factor in rental costs if you need to find temporary accommodation or store furniture while the job is in progress.

Get at least 3 different quotes

Before obtaining building quotes, you will need a set of drawings to get accurate costs. Aim to get at least three different quotes for comparison. Quotations can vary widely, so read them carefully, know exactly what is included, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

If your builder comes back with a quote that’s higher than you were expecting, go back to him. Ask if and where there might be potential to save money – perhaps by completing the work in stages, or changing the design or specification. Remember the cheapest quote may not always represent the best value for money.

Wherever possible, use one main contractor to carry out all building work, including plumbing, electric and windows/doors. They may sub-contract some of this work, but will ultimately be responsible for ensuring all materials arrive at the right time and in the correct order.

Be Flexible with your Schedule

Remodeling tends to be a seasonally oriented business. Most people plan remodeling projects around life events and weather, which usually translates to summer here in the US, sometimes you can get a better deal from your contractors by planning your projects during their down-time.

If you can be flexible with your timing, you can save money on a whole project this way.

Do it yourself as possible

We suggest doing parts of the renovation yourself. This is the best, surefire way to save money on a home renovation. Examples of home renovation projects that you may be able to do yourself include painting the interior, installing shelving and closets, installing wallpaper, painting tiles, installing kitchen backsplash, and demolition of walls. Of course, some parts of the renovation process are best left to the professionals. We all know an over-enthusiastic DIYer who has ruined expensive materials and had to pay a professional to put it all right.

Good luck and happy remodeling, remember Nachman Construction is here to help.