Renovations are relatively common in every household in the US. Americans tend to make changes to their homes whenever they feel like it, and in some situations, these renovations are meant to make their homes more comfortable. Some renovations can also be purely seasonal, like renovating to open space during Summer to let the cool breeze in. However, regardless of the frequency and the reason for renovations, there is one thing we can all agree on and that renovations can be quite costly.
Studies have shown that the average cost for a typical renovation is $47,000. That’s approximately 13% of the cost of a new house today. It’s a very costly project to have every year or every other year, but sometimes we can’t help it. So if you’re looking for a way to save up on your renovation, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some simple ways you can save money on your next home renovation.
Personally Calculate Costs
Let’s start with the financing of your renovation project. Contacting a contractor and giving them the project on your mind can lead to a rough estimation made by the contractor. However, you shouldn’t rely on this estimation. Instead, you should calculate the costs yourself. Why is this important, you might ask? It’s important because your calculation can be very different from the estimation of your contractor. If your calculation is much smaller than your contractor’s, then maybe it’s better to find another cheaper contractor. This is one important way you can stick with your budget.
Do It Yourself
If you really want to save up on renovation costs, you can start doing the project yourself. There are some simple projects you can do with little to no experience. Here are some of them:
1. Walls
If your home hasn’t suffered from severe depreciation throughout the years, you usually only have to repaint them. It’s pretty straightforward to do minor paint jobs, as long as you have a roller and a paintbrush. Just choose the paint you want for your wall and start painting.
Another way you can cover up cracking paint is by building something over it. A pallet wall is a perfect project for this. The first step is to purchase a pallet. Recycled wooden pallets can cost as little as $5 if you know where to find them. Next is to break them down into pieces. After you’ve done that, you can then stick them to the wall with construction adhesives or drill them in. This project will only take an afternoon to do and will cost you only around $100. It will also add a rustic look to your wall that visitors will truly appreciate.
2. Flooring
Good flooring can be one of the most expensive projects you can have in your renovation. But if you’re only installing something like ceramic tiles, you can do the tilework yourself. Tiles can easily be installed with the use of some mortar. Some manufacturers will even give you the adhesive to install the tiles. You can use those instead. Ensure that you measure the room appropriately so that you won’t have to worry about cutting tiles in the process.
Recycle Home Furniture
We tend to get rid of our furniture the moment it has received some minor damages. However, some furniture can be reused, especially if you’re building a library during your renovation. For example, a wooden closet can easily be converted to a bookshelf if you cut the pieces and glue them together. With enough creativity, you can use your old pieces for your furniture in your next home renovation project.
Work on Making the Old Look New Again
Many homeowners tend to overlook the old parts of their homes and think they need to replace them entirely. However, instead of replacing the old, how about trying to make it look new instead? You can try cleaning some old spots to shine like new or maybe utilize the depreciation as part of the design. For example, an old brick wall can bring a classical look into your kitchen. By applying this principle to your renovation, you not only save money, but you can also save so much time.
Bring in Natural Light
If you want more light into your home and save on electricity costs, it’s time for you to bring more natural light into your home. Installing a singular skylight can make a difference in your energy costs. Sure, it can be an expensive renovation, but it’s an investment that will cut your energy costs by 25% annually. That will surely pay for the installation and then some.
Renovations don’t have to be expensive. By being creative and intuitive about design and cost, you will be able to cut 50% off your next renovation. Remember to stick to your budget and choose designs that are practical and easy to implement.
