There’s no point denying it — renovating a home can be expensive. But even if you’re on a budget, there are several ways to enhance your home and save money on home improvement projects. Here are some tips for low-cost home improvement projects you can do yourself to maximize your comfort as well as your savings.
1. Watch the calendar — If you can hold off on a project until manufacturers cut prices, you may be able to save a lot. For example, you may get materials and appliances at a discount if you wait until the holiday sales season to buy. Timing your purchases to coincide with these in-store events can be one of the best ways of ensuring inexpensive home improvements.
2. Purchase your own materials — If you need to hire a contractor, you can keep your costs under control by shopping for the materials yourself. This way, you can buy the highest-quality and most cost-effective options at your convenience before the work begins.
3. Do it yourself — One of the most obvious ways to guarantee easy, cheap home improvements is to do as much as possible yourself. Depending on your skill level and the complexity of your project, you may be able to get the job done for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional.
4. Rent the tools — If you’re not a regular do-it-yourselfer, it might make more sense to rent the table saw or nail gun you need for your project. Not spending a lot on equipment makes for more money-saving home improvements.
5. Refurbish, don’t replace — If you just want a fresh look for your home, consider refurbishing worn elements instead of replacing them. For example, re-staining your kitchen cabinets and changing out the door handles are easy, cheap home improvement projects that can make a big difference to the appeal of your space.
6. Embrace simplicity — If your projects involve knocking down walls or moving electrical outlets, it might be a good idea to scale back your plans. You’ll reduce your costs considerably if you work within the confines of your existing structure.
7. Protect your hard work — Anything you do to improve your property is an investment of time and money, and you’ll want to do whatever it takes to protect it. Depending on which project you’re planning, you may want to add a home warranty from Pivotal Home Solutions when the work is completed. Our plans can give you peace of mind that major systems and appliances will be covered if they break down. The best way to save money on a project is to make sure you don’t have to pay out of your own pocket for a future system failure.
You may dream of transforming your house into a showplace, but chances are you have a less-than-showy budget for it. Follow these tips and you may be able to achieve the updated home you want without going broke.