19 Ways to Cut Costs on Your House Remodel

Home remodeling projects can be costly, and the final cost can quickly get out of control, irrespective of your original budget. However, some strategies can cut down the cost of a home remodeling project featuring well-planned designs, materials, and timing. The first step towards getting your home remodeled is to get a reliable house remodeling contractor who has been in the business for a while and comes with necessary prerequisites. This contractor should be reliable, skilled, and possess years of expertise in this field. For instance, if you are located around St. Louis, you might want to connect with McDermott Remodeling for your next home remodeling project.

Ways to Cut Down on Your Home Remodeling Project:

1. Having a Budget-

Knowing your budget and sticking to it can be one of the most necessary parts of your home renovation planning, for starters, at a contingency fund to cover all the unexpected costs and incidental costs. This can cover anything from having to order food from outside due to a kitchen renovation or booking a hotel for a night or two.

2. Doing Your Research-

Talk to your closest friends and family about the renovations they have done in their own home and the challenges they have faced during the process. Having all the information at your disposal from homeowners that have been in your shoes can be invaluable, and some information can alter some of your plans.

3. Having a Detailed Plan-

Having a detailed blueprint about the remodeling project before you get started is one of the best ways to stay on budget and decide on a realistic timeline. Talk to your contractor, ask relevant questions, and prepare a detailed plan.

4. Increase the Efficiency, Not Size-

Reorganizing and equipping a space for its maximum utility should be the goal instead of gaining square footage. For instance, if your kitchen has too many unutilized shelves and drawers, go for cabinet height pull-out drawers for a cleaner look that enhances utility.

5. Adding Natural Light Without Windows-

Instead of installing frames for new windows, go for less expensive ways of capturing the natural light. For instance, you can add a “light tube” between the funnels and roof rafters of a windowless hallway or bath that can slip natural light into these areas.

6. Recycle as Much as Possible-

Reusing and recycling gently used fixtures and building materials from around the house during remodeling can save a lot of money. Talk to your contractor about using salvaged materials for the project and understand what he thinks about it.

7. Reuse-

Resell materials and fixtures before the project begins, as 85% of a house is reusable; by doing this, you encourage recycling and reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also donate this amount for a good cause recouping some of your money.

8. Considering Long-Term Costs-

Pre-prepared variants can save in the long run as they are most likely prepared with industry-grade products and standards. For instance, if you go for a clapboard siding that is pre-primed and pre-painted, you will be paying 10 to 20 cents per foot but save a lot on the paint jobs down the road.

9. Considered Lookalikes-

Some imitations make a lot of sense during a home remodeling project. For example, go for tongue and groove flooring instead of going for mahogany for a clear-grained hardwood look. This option is a sustainably sourced and incredibly low-priced look-alike variant of original mahogany hardwood.

10. Paying in Cash-.

Paying for a project with hard cash can save you a significant amount of money that would not be the case if you take a loan or opt for credit that you can’t pay off immediately.

11. Balancing High and Low-End Materials-

Get a bang for your buck by mixing both statement and budget items for your home. For instance, you might want to spend more money on hardware and less on doors or cabinets.

12. Big Purchases Can Wait for a Sale-

Big items such as statement appliances can wait for American holiday offers like Black Friday sales or Memorial Day sales. Make a wish list before and shop on the sale days.

13. Get Help-

Have your electrician or plumber friend handy and communicate with them about the expected financial compensation.

14. Wait for the Low Season-

Back to school and Christmas can be premium time for home remodelers. Please wait for a low season when they will likely give you a good offer.

15. Do Your Own Schlepping-

Carry your home remodeling goods to slash your material delivery fees. Or get one of your friend’s pickup trucks to save on this cost.

16. Find DIY Brands-

Many DIY brands like IKEA can enable you to build your dresser or cabinets if you cannot hire a carpenter.

17. Keep the Home’s Original Footprint-

Try not to move the big installations like the sink, bathtub, stoves, toilet seat, or windows as they can open up a lot of plumbing and carpentry cost. 

18. Sell Big and Small Fixtures-

Don’t throw away the old fixtures that you don’t like or are planning to replace. Instead, try to sell them on trading sites like Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Shops, Craigslist, and eBay.

19. Make Your Decision Early-

Start visiting the home department long before your home remodeling project starts; This can give you a good feeling about what you want and the right idea about how much these items cost.