How to Save Money on Home Renovation
Even if you want to build a house from scratch or you want a simple renovation work for your current home, it will always be useful to save some money, regardless of the project you are involved in.
The first tip is to look with the architect and builders over the project whenever needed until you are sure you are on the same wavelength. Architects and builders can often add things they assume you want, but you may not need those extra details.
You don’t have to be embarrassed to ask every time you don’t understand something. Remember, an intelligent man speaks for everyone’s understanding and in the end, the builder will explain the whole project to you in detail until you find out. Get involved as much as possible. If you know how to do something, try to do it yourself because any hour of construction work is paid and thus you will save some money. As long as you are sure of what you are doing, why would you pay another person to do it?
Try to buy your own materials, without resorting to builders’ suppliers. If you have options where to buy your tiles, parquet, doors, and any other items you can find at a good price, then go for it. You must always keep in mind that every penny you save you can reallocate to another part of the construction.
Consult with as many architects and builders as possible before starting a project. It is advisable to have at least 3 different price offers in order to decide on the best price. This is also true when shopping for building materials. If it is your style, use prefabricated. These materials are much easier to assemble and the price will be much lower than conventional materials. Another very useful tip, if you want to save money in building your house or arranging a room, is to hire a work team outside the construction season.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that you will have to contact a professional structural and MEP design company that will help you put the plan together. By contracting and hiring a team of builders in the winter months, you will get much better prices because the warmer periods are the busiest and builders can afford to increase prices.
Having a well-organized agenda regarding the project of construction or renovation of your house, you will be able to save at least 10% of the initial price you estimated for this project. Try to stay focused and attentive to all the details throughout the project, and at the end of it, you will have to joy of seeing your house built or renovated and the satisfaction of saving a significant amount of money. Bellow we will try to detail all aspects that we have discussed so far:
1. Pay the craftsmen only for important operations
You may think that some things are not very complicated and you can do them yourself, but things are more difficult to put into practice than they sound in theory, and a poorly done job means that you will spend extra money on new materials.
It is not difficult to whitewash the walls yourself, but paving your yard or building a new annex are difficult processes, where the hand of an expert is needed. Things are different if you are thinking of changing the roof of the house. Some materials are durable and easy to assemble even by inexperienced people. For example, metal tile is light and, with the right instructions, you can dare to put it yourself. Be sure to take all precautions to avoid accidents and find a benevolent friend, willing to give you a helping hand.
2. Choose only quality materials
When choosing building materials do not be fooled by very low prices or offers that seem far too generous. A bad material will be destroyed quickly and you will end up in the unpleasant situation of having to replace them. That means more time and more money wasted. Focus on the materials recommended by craftsmen, who know from experience which are the best and do not hesitate to pay a little more for them.
3. Look for solutions to save money over time
LED bulbs, a rainwater recycling system, good thermal insulation, or the installation of solar panels are investments that save money over time. Many are scared to pay a larger sum of money from start, without realizing that, over time, this not only pays off, but it will always make the difference on the plus in your pocket by saving money for bills.
4. Be prepared to make compromises
Surely you want to solve all the problems with the house first, but if your budget does not allow you, it is time to establish a list of priorities. Think about the essential things you want to fix or replace and separate them from those that can wait a few more months until you raise more money.
5. Use your creativity
Many home renovation ideas are not as expensive as they are ingenious and creative. Most focus on color and shape games, the right accessories and smart lighting. You can always search the web to find creative ideas for your home, so it’s worth taking a look and getting inspired.
Don’t forget to arm yourself with a lot of patience and thoroughly study tutorials or instruction manuals before you start working. You will gain experience over time and then it will be much easier for you to organize, but also finish the renovation faster and enjoy the comfort provided by your brand new house.