Some Home Renovation Choices to cut your budget

Need to cut the cost of renovating a house? A home renovation is likely to become one of the most expensive home projects you'll ever undertake, with many people running over their original budget. There are ways, however, to avoid overspending unnecessarily, with careful forward planning and know-how.


Whether you are renovating a house completely, adding an extension or updating your home's exterior, it's important to remain realistic while budgeting. We offer you some ways to avoid money drain — it just takes a little bit of up-front planning. 

1. Leave your sink, tub, and toilet where they are

Relocating mechanical ductwork is costly, and if water-using fixtures stay put, you’ll save considerable time and money. Unless your plumbing is old and needs to be replaced anyway, look for other ways to switch up your bathroom’s look instead.
Leave the plumbing where it is, but replace the tub with a new style. Add a decorative mirror, or incorporate colorful shelving for toiletries.

2. Spruce up what you already have

You may have planned on a brand-new bathtub and sink, but have you taken a good look at what you already have? Chips or dings in tubs can be filled with a little fiberglass, and a tub-and-tile refinishing kit can make a tired bathtub look new again.
The same approach can be taken with bathroom or kitchen cabinets. If you like the style of your cabinets, update the finish with a paint kit to de-gloss, paint, and glaze the existing cabinet doors and frames.
Avoid purchasing big-ticket items, and spend your savings on higher-end fixtures and hardware.

3. Use expensive materials sparingly

Instead of splurging on granite or stone slab, choose a more affordable countertop, and add a few colorful, high-end tile squares as a backsplash. Your visitors will be drawn to the unique design — and the fancy bottle of wine you’ll be able to afford with the money you saved.

4. Take advantage of the sun

If your remodel includes an addition with new construction, consider your lot’s solar orientation. Install windows on the south side to catch the sunshine, and add a couple of operable windows on the north to allow cross-ventilation in the summer.

5. Reconsider recessed light fixtures

But if you’re looking to save money, mounted or hanging fixtures are almost always the way to go. Recessed lighting typically costs more because of the labor involved in cutting the holes and insulating around the cans.
Consider a single mounted fixture in a bedroom or family room, and add floor or table lamps to create ambiance. 

There is huge scope to reduce costs by doing some work yourself. You can’t move an electricity meter, or alter the supply beyond the mains fuse. In most areas, you can’t do any work in the highway, such as build a drop kerb for a drive – only a licensed contractor can do this.

Be realistic about your skills. Decorating and landscaping aren’t difficult to learn. Plastering, bricklaying and tiling, however, is skilled work which is very visible if not done well.

In short, a little upfront planning can go a long way toward preventing expensive surprises. The more time you spend planning before you start the project, and the more you’re willing to do yourself, the lower your overall costs are likely to be.