7 Tips To Save Money When Remodel Your Home

Remodeling a home is always a personal project. You put your mind and soul into the detailed plan of your dream home. However, there can be unwelcome surprises along the way which try to burst your bubble. 

In this article, we are going to go over 7 tips on how to save money during a home remodel. From knowing how to manage your budget, to how to utilise recycled materials, we have it all covered. So without further ado, here are 7 tips to save money when remodeling your home.

Tip 1: Know your budget

The first thing you should do when starting your home remodel is set a budget. Ask yourself the important question, “what is worth splurging on in a home?” This could be the kitchen counters or a secret movie room. Things that are a none negotiable need to be budgeted for first and make sure this is a realistic budget. 

A detailed spreadsheet with all the expenses of the project will really help you allocate your budget. If certain items/rooms go over/under budget, update the spreadsheet so you know where you’re up to. It’s then easier for you to make design decisions, if you’re over budget, cut things that aren’t as important to you, or choose different (less expensive) materials. Having a spreadsheet with your budget allows you to stay on track which is crucial.

Tip 2: Set aside a little extra for the unexpected

It’s normal for problems to appear during a home remodel. No matter the age of the property, there can be water damage, structural issues or electrical problems that need to be resolved. These unexpected issues need to be accounted for when budgeting for the project.

If there’s no wiggly room in your budget, your dream home could be put on hold until you have the funds. We recommend you have at least 10% of your overall budget set aside for any of these issues, this gives you peace of mind and also allows you to spend a little extra at the end of the project if you’ve not needed the emergency fund.

Tip 3: Know ahead of time if you need permits

When remodelling your home, before anything, you need to make sure you can obtain planning permission/permits for any changes you want to make. If you want an open-plan living area, you need to make sure the wall you’re knocking down isn’t structural. If you want to add a second storey, where is the best place for a staircase? It’s important to ask yourself questions before the work has started to prevent running into any unwanted issues. Knowing ahead if you need permits will save you both time and money. 

If you start work without planning permission you are most likely going to have to return your home to its original state so getting the permission protects you and your wallet. A key thing to note is that no good builder will ever start working without the correct planning permission/permit.

Tip 4: Find and keep one Contractor

Almost as important as setting a budget and sticking to it is finding a good contractor. You might think: I’m a very organized person and I have spare time, why can’t I do it myself? However, a house remodel is a lot more complicated than you think and this is why you should always hire an expert. When redesigning your home, you can decide how involved you want to be to a certain extent, this will often depend on the building company you have hired and how they work. Have a conversation with your builders on how they like to communicate and respect boundaries. If they aren’t working weekends, don’t contact them over the weekend.

A good contractor is one that will make sure your project goes according to plan and will keep you in the loop when important things come up. Remodeling your home can be a stressful experience and the contractor should be there to take care of any concerns you have.

Tip 5: Buy used materials and appliances

One of the most efficient ways to save money on your house remodel is to buy used materials or buy used appliances. For example, if you are remodeling your kitchen, you can either paint your cabinets in a fresh new color or change the doors for more modern ones. Sometimes, all you need is some creativity so that old can become new. You’ll be saving both your wallet and the planet!

If for any reason, you cannot recycle anything from your own home, you can always find good-as-new appliances and materials that can help you save money on your project.  

Tip 6: Only replace what needs replacing, not everything

Sometimes we want to remodel something because doesn’t look as new as it once did or it’s not as modern as you’d like. The question is, does it need to be changed? If not, then maybe you can do some at-home DIY and you’re home will feel as good as new. 

Just because you are doing a home remodel, doesn’t mean that you need to change every single room in the house. A very effective tip for you to save money is to focus on one thing at a time. This will make it easier to control your budget.

Tip 7: You might be able to save money by doing some of the work yourself

Sometimes when you hire a professional to help with your home remodel project you end up thinking that you could have done it yourself. This can sometimes be true. You can save a lot of money if you decide to do some things that otherwise would be costly if done by a professional. Cleaning or disassembling furniture that won’t be needed, for example. You can do that yourself! 

Plus. If you have the time and the skills you can learn and do them yourself. Youtube is a great tool to use! It will not only save you money but it’s also great to learn new skills which can be useful year after year.

Remodeling can be expensive, but these tips can help you save money!

You don’t need to spend a fortune to live in a new house. Home remodeling can be expensive but you can lower the costs if you follow these tips. 

Always remember: having a detailed plan is crucial if you want to save money! A good contractor is the other half, having a clear communication channel with your contractor so you can stay on track is the best way to complete your project on time.