How To Save On Renovations?
Renovations can provide a great deal of equity in your home. As you are taking a room down to the drywall, sometimes down to the studs, it is a good opportunity to remake a space exactly how you want. While most would like the fanciest kitchen or bath in our homes, there can be one tiny problem, the budget.
Doing a renovation on a budget can be a challenge. While not everyone will have a difficult time sticking to a budget, there are many more homeowners that tend to overspend when it comes to renovation costs. During a renovation, that overspending could mean thousands. In this article, we’ll explore kitchen renovations, bath renovations, and the hottest tips for keeping these home improvement projects on-task and in-budget.
Kitchen Renovations
Kitchen renovations are usually the most extensive remodel a homeowner can tackle. It is also known as the most expensive one too. According to HomeAdvisor, “Most homeowners spend between $13,049 and $36,995.” The total cost of a kitchen renovation will hinge on the materials you use as well as the contractor you select. For lower-end finishes, such as laminate counters, you can expect to pay less.
Homeowners can expect a lengthy renovation for the kitchen. There is typically square footage in this room, and more tasks needing to be completed. On average, you can expect a kitchen renovation to take up to 12 weeks. Great kitchen renovation tips are to take the project in strides and try not to worry about the finished product if you have talked to your contractor about your kitchen renovation ideas and completed the design, trust in your contractor.
Bathroom Renovations
A bathroom renovation can be either somewhat affordable or blow your entire budget out of the water. Similar to a kitchen remodel, it all depends on what types of materials you use, and if any problems are uncovered after demolition.
According to Angie’s List, the typical bathroom remodels run between $9,600 to $11,000. However, $2,500 seems to be the lowest while some renovations top out at $23,000! There’s a massive difference between the two, and who you have performed the restoration, problems that can arise, as well as the materials will all make a significant impact on the final number.
As far as a bathroom renovation goes, these won’t take as long as a kitchen. You can expect the remodel to take about a month, sometimes up to eight weeks to complete. This will significantly depend on the features installed and if any larger problems arise.
Top Tips For Your Next Renovation Project
Some tips to save money on renovations may seem like a no-brainer. But you would be surprised that some people will forget the little things. Take a look at these top tips for saving money throughout your renovation projects.
Tip #1 – Recycled Fixtures Can Save You Hundreds
If you can reuse any part of your kitchen or bath, do it! You will save a ton by recycling or refinishing your old materials. Cabinets can be resurfaced and fitted with new hardware, which makes a drastic improvement. Look for ways to reuse items; there are tons of sites online that have inspirational designs using reclaimed materials.
Tip #2 – Wait For Sales
For those that are anticipating the start of their home improvement project, you can eagerly look for sales along the way. Picking up materials on the cheap is excellent for anyone. Because most home improvement stores have sales cycles, it is almost a breeze to predict when you can get certain materials or fixtures to match your budget. If you aren’t using Ibotta or another cash-back app, you could be missing out on saving up to 10% at some retail locations or if you order online.
Tip #3 – Handyman Work Can Save You Big Time
Using handyman services to get your renovation project accomplished, is one of the best ways to keep a renovation on a budget. Handyman contractors typically charge less than companies who specialize in renovation projects. They can also handle specific tasks, including things about repairing drywall, which can save you time and money.
The reason being is they have far less overhead and aren’t busy trying to upsell your products. For your next home renovation project, consider hiring a local handyman with an excellent work history and stellar reviews. Sacramento Handyman is pleased to offer bathroom and kitchen renovation services throughout the Sacramento area. Our affordable rates, professional craftsmanship, and customer service are just a few reasons our customers choose us for their home improvement projects.
Tip #4 – Iron Out The Details Before Starting
You may have a top idea for your kitchen or bath, but you must discuss everything with your contractor before breaking ground. The second you start making changes to the original plan, the more likely it is you’ll be spending money like it’s water. A prime illustration of this is purchasing a tub for your home, then deciding that isn’t the right one, and having to buy another one. This will throw off the timeline, causing more money to be spent.
If you have bathroom renovation ideas for your project, talk with your contractor to find out how it could affect the budget before making decisions.
Tip #5 – Creating A Budget
Saving on a renovation requires creating a budget. This isn’t something most homeowners want to do, but it’s something they need to do. A budget will help you to stay on track with the spending and let you know what you can afford for what fixtures or material you need to buy. Always factor in a little extra, as much as 10%, to cover unforeseen issues.
Another perfect example of bathroom renovation tips and staying on budget is to imagine your contractor unearths a leaking sewer pipe. This will need to be repaired before proceeding. If you had already maxed out your budget, how will this repair get completed? It’s better to have money left over at the end of the day.
Tip #6 – Pay Cash
If you can pay cash for the entire renovation, you’ll save a lot of time. Not having to rely on a credit card means no interest and no having to postpone purchases. Save until you hit the estimate set by your handyman, for a smoother remodel.
Tip #7 – Use High & Low-End Finishes
It can be tempting to choose all high end, or all low end to accommodate your budget or to save a few bucks. However, if you mix the two, you’ll wake away with impressive results, while saving money.