Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. That’s why it’s important to think hard before going through with a big remodel, especially if you don’t have a lot of money.
When it comes to remodelling your home, your budget will play a big role in how you accomplish your goals. Even people with big budgets can run into trouble when remodelling their homes. That’s because there are so many different ways to accomplish the same result. Even the smallest change can turn into an expensive remodel if you don’t keep your remodelling budget in check.
It’s easy to go over budget when remodelling your home if you don’t plan. Luckily, there are a few ways you can remodel your home on a budget while still getting everything you need, whether you’re looking to update your kitchen, add more bedrooms, or redecorate your entire home. Follow these tips to stay within your budget and make the best use of your remodelling efforts.
#1 Decide which parts of your home you’ll remodel
Once you’ve removed the old trim and other items holding you back, you should be able to start remaking each room. Keep in mind, though, that you don’t have to remodel everything to stay within budget. If you don’t have the money to remodel your entire home, don’t be afraid to choose a few rooms to update. For example, you might decide to remodel just the kitchen, master bathroom, and laundry room, and leave the rest of your home just as it is. This will lower your budget, but it’s still modern and functional.
#2 Find inspiration before you start remodelling
The best way to stay within budget when remodelling your home is to start by finding inspiration. As you’re thinking about what you want to do, take a look online. This can be a great way to find ideas and inspiration from other people who have remodelled their homes. You can also look for inspiration from magazines or books.
You can also talk to friends and family about what they wish they had done to their home. This will provide you with a good idea of what other people have done so you can have some inspiration as well. The best thing you can do when looking for ideas is try to keep your remodelling within a budget. This way, you’ll be able to get the exact look you want while keeping your budget in mind too.
#3 Plan your upgrades
Before you start purchasing cabinets or flooring, make a list of upgrades you’d like to add to your kitchen or bathrooms. This will help you stay on budget and make sure you don’t buy items you don’t need. For example, if you want to upgrade your cabinets but your budget only allows for a new countertop, lighting, and backsplash, now you know what’s missing.
#4 Make sure to estimate costs
While you should plan your upgrades, it’s also important to plan your costs. This is especially true when it comes to updating your kitchen. You should write out a budget and stick to it, so you don’t miss any costs while you’re remodelling your home. This way, you won’t get caught off guard when you have to replace things like appliances, plumbing fixtures, and lighting fixtures after you install them.
#5 Read contractor reviews
Contractors are responsible for a lot of the work involved in remodelling your home, so you want to make sure you hire a contractor with a good reputation. If you’re hiring a general contractor, make sure you research their history on Contractor Locator. Once you have a few contractors in mind, start by asking friends and family for recommendations. If they don’t know any contractors you can trust, you can also turn to online contractor reviews.
#6 Check with Your Home Warranty Company
Before you sign on for any remodelling jobs, check with your home warranty company to make sure that the work complies with your warranty. If any part of your house is damaged, your warranty protects you from having to pay to have it fixed.
If your warranty covers work done on your home, you may not want to risk another party’s work being done without proper protection and inspection. If you’re unsure, you can always call your warranty company to ask if you need to let them know about the work you’re planning.
#7 Have a baseline before remodelling
Once you know which parts of your home you’ll be updating, you should have a good idea of what it’ll cost. If you’re not sure where to start, you can start by picking out the best materials for each room. You can also take a look at other homeowners’ renovation tips and tricks to help you get a good idea of what’s possible. When you have a good idea of what things cost in your home, you can add up your budget and figure out where you can make cuts without damaging the project too much.
#8 Plan for Good Use of Space
Before you start buying materials or hiring contractors for your remodelling project, take a moment to think about the use of space in your home. You can’t remodel your home if the rooms don’t make sense. If you have a kitchen that is too small for the appliances and countertops you have or a dining room that’s too small to accommodate everyone at once, it’s time to make some changes.
The same thing goes for bathrooms and bedrooms. If your laundry room is bigger than the bathroom you share with your guests, or if your bedroom is smaller than your own bed, it’s time to make some space. This doesn’t necessarily mean knocking out walls or opening up ceilings, but it does mean using your remodelling budget to get a few things right.
#9 Know where to find discounts before you bid
One of the best ways to stay within budget when remodelling your home is to know where to find discounts. This will allow you to get the exact look you want while still staying on budget. Knowing where to find discounts is important because it allows you to get the exact look you want while still staying on budget. That’s because many contractors will offer discounts if you mention to them that you’re remodelling on a budget.
#10 Choose the right materials
It’s tempting to pick out materials you like at the hardware store, but now is not the time to get carried away. Instead, choose a few key materials for each room, and prioritize them as you go through your remodelling project.
When it comes to choosing the right materials, one of the most important things you can do is research your material prices. This isn’t just for your remodelling projects either. You should also do this for all the supplies you buy for your home.
This is especially important when it comes to installing durable materials like wood, tile, and stone. If you choose the wrong type of wood, you could end up cutting corners and using cheaper materials, which could end up causing problems down the line. This is why it’s so important to do your research before making any decisions when it comes to choosing your materials. This way, you can be sure you’re choosing the right ones.
#11 If you’re looking to update your kitchen, think about what you really use
One of the easiest ways to stay within budget when remodelling your home is to think about what you use in your kitchen. Before you start tearing up the cabinets, take a moment and think about what you use in your kitchen. This will help you stay within budget and get the look you want without spending a ton of money. If you’re trying to update your kitchen on a budget, you should try to keep things as simple as possible. This will allow you to get the exact look you want while still staying on budget.
Once you’ve figured out what you use in your kitchen, you can start looking for items that are on sale. This will allow you to get the exact look you want while keeping your remodelling on a budget. One of the best ways to keep your kitchen remodelling on a budget is to get the exact look you want without spending a ton of money. If you’re trying to update your kitchen on a budget, you should try to keep things as simple as possible. This will allow you to get the exact look you want while still staying on budget.
#12 Don’t Overlook Basic Remodeling
Even basic improvements can turn into major remodelling projects if you’re not careful. For example, a new paint job could become stained by your toddler’s hands or a new floor could get damaged by your kids’ toys.
It’s important to keep in mind that you can’t make your home safer without upgrading the structural components of your home. That includes foundations, roofs, and walls. If you want to make your home safer, you’ll need to use your remodelling budget to improve the structural components.
#13 Don’t underestimate the value of repainting
Before you start tearing up the floors, take a moment to think about the walls in your home. This is especially important if you’re looking to update your kitchen or bathroom. Many times, this is where you’ll be spending the most money when remodelling your home. Painting or changing the décor in the bedrooms and living room is one thing, but this often represents the biggest expense when it comes to remodelling. While you can find inexpensive paint, it’s often not worth buying paint that’s going to be gone in a few years.
#14 Don’t be afraid to cut some costs
Most homeowners are afraid to cut costs when remodelling their home, but the truth is, you can always make the space you have work better. There are some things you simply have to upgrade if you want to make your home more comfortable and functional, but for the most part, you can cut costs without damaging your home too much. Here are a few upgrades that are worth spending money on, and some that are worth saving a little:
- Gutter guards – Newer homes typically have gutter guards, but if yours is older, it’s probably rusted and full of debris. Luckily, it’s usually easy to replace.
- Newer appliances – Refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers are often more efficient than their older counterparts, but they also have different features and settings that you might not be used to.
- Newer flooring – If you have a kitchen or bathroom that’s on its way out, it might be time to replace the flooring. Tile isn’t that expensive, and it’s worth it to replace that outdated floor before it gets any worse.
#15 Install energy-efficient features
While upgrading your appliances is a great way to upgrade your cooking experience, upgrading your lighting is another way to keep your remodelling projects on budget. When it comes to installing energy-efficient features, you should budget for the following.
Wrapping up: Is Remodeling on the Agenda?
If you want to make your home more beautiful and functional, remodelling is a great idea. However, if you don’t choose carefully, you can easily run up against your budget. That’s why it’s important to choose a budget, calculate how much you can spend, and stay within that amount.
If you’re also interested in staying within your budget, it may be a good idea to hire a contractor who can help you stay on track and make good use of your remodelling budget.
These tips will help you stay within budget and get the renovations you need to be done in no time. Make sure you follow them so you can remodel your home for less.
