Experts reveal how to get a cheap house renovation next year!
Our homes ought to be peaceful, safe spaces where we can come at the end of the day to unwind and enjoy our time away from stress and crowds, in other words, a place where we can at last be who we truly are.
We certainly can’t do that if the place is messy, small, or even worse, not even appealing to our eyes. So what can we do besides dreaming of a house like RuPaul or Sofia Vergara has? I thought, “I ain’t no rich, but I dream of owning a house like one of those!” after seeing all the houses featured in Architectural Digest on YouTube.
While not everyone can afford a mansion, the key to success is knowing how to do things in a way you can work with what you have and make it look great.
For this article, I talked to a couple of local renovation experts who told me a few secrets on how to get a cheap house renovation without worrying it won’t last and you will end up losing the money while your home will still look bad. So enough with the chitchat because I don’t want to keep you waiting; let’s get started:
Make a budget
The first step towards a house renovation is to establish a budget for it. A budget that you can manage without sacrificing other needs you have.
When you do your calculations, don’t forget to also include an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses and be prepared to use it, as well as extra costs like dining out in case you do a full kitchen renovation or even booking a hotel room for a couple of nights when it’s necessary.
Although it can be tempting to want a luxurious renovation, you might just need some affordable upgrades. Plan your budget and do your homework before you ever pick up a hammer or call a contractor for assistance.
Start with a plan in mind
After creating a budget that fits your needs regarding renovation, it’s crucial to also have a plan on how to do things. Otherwise, you will end up splurging a lot of money. Throughout the planning phase, ask your contractor as many questions as possible. This will guarantee that your timeline is reasonable and help you stay within your budget.
Consider hiring a contractor
You’re probably more like a DIY kind of person, and that’s awesome, but sometimes accepting the fact that a couple of extra hands may be needed to get the job done easier is mandatory.
Yes, DIY helps you stay on the budget without extra costs because you don’t have to pay other people; however, there are a lot of things that you can’t do on your own.
But, because there is always a but before anything else, is to make sure the contractor is a reliable person. Going for recommendations might be the best way to do it. If you don’t know any contractors, start looking for one on the internet. Look for trustworthy people who have good reviews, especially one who has been in business for a while now (even if they might be expensive!) but don’t stop at the first one you see. Make sure you have at least 10 contractors to choose from.
Take your time to talk to each of them and pick the ones that seem reliable. Also, make sure you’re feeling comfortable when meeting them in person. Nowadays, the internet cannot be fully trusted, and it’s better to trust your gut when it comes to meeting new people.
If you’re not sure about what to do because you want to get an affordable house renovation that won’t fall over at the first earthquake, take a look at this article about all the Things Americans Must Know About Contractors.
Make sure you obtain permits
Many homeowners believe that getting a building permit is a pointless hassle that will slow down the renovation process, but in the majority of cases, permits are an essential step in the process that, if not obtained initially, could backfire and you could get fined and you will end up paying more.
Add light without installing more windows
Do you feel like your home doesn’t have enough natural light, but installing windows is very expensive? Although skylights can significantly increase a home’s light levels at a lower cost, they do have certain drawbacks, such as the potential for moisture issues if incorrectly installed, so make sure you contact professionals to help you out with this job.
Don’t throw away things you can repurpose
Do you have any old cabinets, and the thought of throwing them away crossed your mind? Oh, forget about it. Whenever you’re doing a house renovation and you’re tight on the budget, it’s better to think twice before getting rid of things that may serve you well. If you want to save a lot of money, you can always simply repaint them.
Do the shopping at resale stores
Another way to stay within the budget while you’re doing the house renovation is to visit resale stores. Look for light fixtures that are in good condition and that you can install yourself. Additionally, you might come across a box of tiles that could be used for a kitchen backsplash or entryway! You know what they say: another man’s trash is another’s treasure.
Do you have a truck? Pick up your construction materials
This could save you a lot of money! No joking. Forget about those delivery fees that have skyrocketing prices, especially for this kind of stuff, and go to the store and pick up everything you need on your own.
Consider renting a truck for a day if you have a car but no truck; if you use it for a few trips, to carry some heavy lift it might be worth it cost-wise.
Do some demolition on your own
It might sound a little scary for those who aren’t skilled to do it, but experts say doing it by yourself might help you with the overall costs of house renovation. Make sure you always take all necessary safety precautions and only take on projects you feel comfortable working on.
Think about tearing down a deck or taking out kitchen countertops and cabinets, not walls, especially if you don’t have the necessary paperwork for that. Let the professionals take care of this for you.
Ask your contractor for leftovers
You might be able to save money on material costs if you ask your contractor if they have any leftover flooring, tile, or trim from past projects that they can use to help you with your house renovation.
Do your own painting
Painting a room or a few kitchen cabinets yourself is a cost-effective way to save a lot of money. You don’t need to be a professional painter to do a good job, I promise. If this is your first attempt, you can watch a few YouTube tutorials and learn how to do it.
Do you plan on renovating your home next year? Share with me your thoughts on this article in the comments section below.
Now that you know how to do your house renovation without paying an arm and a leg for it, you have to add “your touch” to make it perfect. Take a look at this related article, Does Your Home Feel Like “You”? 5 Ways to Add That Personal Touch.
