6 Simple Ways to Reduce the Cost of Home Renovations

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Home renovations are a great way to add value to your home and improve its curb appeal. However, they can also be expensive, especially if you don’t have the proper knowledge or budget. Luckily, there are ways to reduce the cost of home renovations without compromising on results. Let’s look at some simple ways to reduce the cost of home renovations! These tips will help you start your dream home project at an affordable price.

Avoid major structural work.

When renovating, avoid doing any major structural work, as this will likely be very expensive. You may even need to obtain permission to carry out massive structural work, especially if you are extending your property or adding in a loft extension. This will increase the budget and time required to complete the job. Furthermore, you’ll likely need to hire an architect to draw up plans and a structural engineer to inspect the work. All of these will probably cost several thousand, if not more. However, if you find any significant issues with your home that suggest you may need to replace parts of it, avoid this at all costs.

Carry out as much of the work as you can yourself

If you can, try to do as much of the work yourself to reduce the cost of home renovations. This can be as simple as changing light switches, painting, or installing power outlets. Things like electrical work, plumbing, and other forms of significant renovation work should, of course, be left to experts. Remember, while it can be tempting to look up tutorials online, you should be aware of your skill set and experience before undertaking any work you aren’t trained in. PLumbers especially note that their most common call-outs are to fix jobs that people tried to do themselves to save money, which will usually cost more in the long run.

Purchase the materials direct from suppliers yourself

When renovating your home, try to purchase materials from suppliers that would typically be bought in bulk through a contractor, such as tiles, flooring, any iron pipe you might need and paint. This will save you significant money, as purchasing in bulk will likely be far more expensive than buying these items in smaller batches. This can help you to avoid any markups by contractors you are using and ensure you have precisely what you need before any work starts. However, ensure you’re aware of building code regulations, as some materials might not be suitable for home renovations.

Reuse as much as you can

Before you start renovating your home, make sure you think about how you can reuse as much as possible. For example, if you’re installing new tiles in your bathroom, see if there are tiles that can be reused elsewhere in your home. You can also try to reuse materials you’ve already purchased. For example, if you’ve bought new flooring but have areas in your home where the old flooring needs replacing, reuse them.

Get at least 3 quotes from contractors.

When hiring contractors to work on your home, ensure you get at least 3 quotes. This will give you a good idea of the cost so you can plan your budget accordingly. Furthermore, you can use the quotes to compare contractors and see how they charge for their services. By doing this, you might find contractors who charge less than the average contractor. It’s also wise to check online reviews for contractors you’re considering hiring for your project. This will help you identify potential red flags and find reputable contractors.

Get help from family and friends.

Before you start renovating your home, ask friends and family if they have any skills they’re willing to help you with. This can be as simple as asking someone to help you paint the walls in a room or help rip out old fixtures and fittings. Even better if you have friends qualified in the services you might need, as you might be able to benefit from reduced rates on professional work to save you time looking for a contractor. Doing this will likely reduce the overall cost of your renovation project. Furthermore, it’s a great way to get some help and save money simultaneously.

Conclusion

Home renovations can be an expensive undertaking. However, there are ways to reduce the cost of home renovations without compromising results. From getting friends and family to plan things out step by step with you or taking advantage of their skill sets, these tips will help you get started on your dream home project at an affordable price. With these tips in mind, you can renovate your home without going broke.

Laura x