5 Simple Strategies for Stretching Your Renovation Budget to Get the Look You Want

Renovating your home is a great way to add value and give your family the extra space you want. However, as stories of runaway renovation prices can show, costs can get out of control if not planned correctly up front. To help avoid this, here are some tips to save money when renovating:

First, decide what’s most important and necessary for the renovation. Consider leaving plumbing and wiring as is (unless it’s absolutely necessary to move them). Also, look for options that don’t involve custom windows, doors, and cabinets. Flatpack cabinets from building supply dealers are much cheaper than custom built-ins.

Second, shop around for the best prices. Research online, in stores, and check out sales which might benefit you. Once you have an idea of what items will cost, you can buy it ahead of time or wait until you come across a great deal.

Third, see if your contractor can get a discount on supplies. Credentialed contractors often get discounts given to them by building supply centers, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Fourth, keep an eye out for salvaged materials. Habitat for Humanity stores have a wide selection of cabinets, lighting and plumbing fixtures, tiles, and paint that are recycled or salvaged. You can also search through Craig’s list and Freecycle. Not only will you get what you need for a great price, you may also receive a tax receipt for donating your old fixtures or cabinets.

Finally, there are some tasks you can do yourself to save money. Remove cabinets yourself and haul scrap to the landfill. Have your contractor help you with the bigger tasks, and take on the smaller ones that you can do. This may seem like a lot of extra work on your end, but in the end, you will save a lot of money.

Renovating your home is an exciting experience. With a little bit of planning and budgeting, you can be confident that it won’t end up costing you more than it should. Look out for bargain materials, get a contractor discount, and take on some of the tasks yourself. Saving money on your renovation will be worth it in the end.