You’ve decided to remodel your home. You’ve also decided you will not be one of those people that go over budget while renovating their home. Everyone wants to be able to remodel their home on a budget and stick to it!
If you’re like me, you watch hours of HGTV, the episodes filled with couples who plan a remodel and end up going wildly over budget. It seems like an inevitability. However, it is possible to stay on budget and on schedule without sacrificing your plans for a new dream home.
Today, I have some information to share on why remodels often go over budget and how to keep that from happening when you choose to remodel your own home.
Staying within your remodeling budget doesn’t have to be the biggest obstacle when it comes to renovating your home.
First, you have to know that while it’s impossible to account for everything that could possibly go wrong during a remodel, there are some mistakes to avoid when you’re planning to take on home renovations. If you can follow these simple tips you’ll stay within your home renovation remodeling budget and have fun doing it!
Know Your Limits
The biggest mistake to make is to think you can do everything yourself. It’s important to know your limits. While yes, you can save money when you take on aspects of the projects on your own, you should also know what you may not be able to handle.
Huge renovations done wrong will end up costing you more in the long run when you have to pay a professional to fix your mistakes. It’s great to do things yourself, but recognizing when certain aspects of a renovation are outside your area of expertise hiring a professional to will ensure the remodel goes smoothly.
Jobs that require plumbing, electrical, or structural work should usually be handled by professionals; it will be safer and cheaper, in the long run, to pay an expert to get it right the first time.
While you shouldn’t be afraid to hire a professional, one good way to save money is to access what you can do yourself. Painting, wallpaper installation, replacing light fixtures and doorknobs, and refinishing cabinets are all relatively simple projects that can help save you money if you are able to complete them yourself.
Plan for the Unexpected During Your Home Remodel
Another mistake that people often make when remodeling their homes is forgetting to plan for unexpected costs.
Every home has problems that are overlooked or unexpected, so when you remodel, you will need to fix them.
Older homes especially tend to have issues that even the best contractors can’t always foresee before the work begins. This could be anything from mold, corroded pipes, or outdated wiring. These sudden costs can add up quickly and eat away at even the most carefully-constructed budget, causing you to spend more money than you originally intended.
It’s a good idea to set aside ten to fifteen percent of your total renovation budget for sudden, unforeseen expenses.
For example, when we tiled the sunporch off of our kitchen we ran into a lot of unexpected issues that added $ and time to our project. We worked through the issues and were incredibly happy with our sunporch refresh! Tiling is an easy way to transform a space!
Hire a Designer But Don’t Waste Their Time
A professional interior designer is a good thing to spend your money on. They spend all day making sure their clients achieve a perfect look for their home. However, most charge by the hour, so don’t hire one until you have a plan for your home. Before a consultation with a designer, pull together ideas for your remodel, and come in with a clear budget. You don’t want to waste your money or the designer’s time pondering over budget or styles. You should spend that time looking at various design options and finalizing your vision.
Local Building Codes for Home Remodeling on a Budget
Many homeowners don’t know that their house may need to be in line with their local building codes. This may not apply to your home because not every city requires homes to follow specific building guidelines, but some do.
Check your city’s building codes to make sure there are no violations in your renovation plans. It’s better to be safe than sorry and having to spend extra money undoing the changes you made because they were not in line with city guidelines.
Don’t Just Focus on Cosmetic Updates
While the idea of renovation is usually to transform a house into one that is more stylish, trendy, or chic, don’t overlook practical problems that might apply to your home. Think about your air conditioning system. Is it outdated? Are your pipes old? Are the walls structurally sound? These are things you should think about as you set a budget, and it’s what makes hiring a contractor so important.
Contractors for Home Remodeling on a Budget
Contractors will tell you what needs to be done in your home; all the necessary steps to make your home safe, while still adhering to your vision.
Like designers, quality contractors can be pricey, but you can save money and stick to your budget by giving them detailed information about the renovation before they inspect your home.
Both a contractor and a designer will ask for detailed specifications of your home. That can mean a lot of things, but as a good rule of thumb, you should always discuss:
- A project summary
- Architectural plans
- Design plans
- Start and finish dates
- Details for materials, such as the type of granite for new countertops
- Limitations and project parameters
By giving the contractors and designers the information they need, you will save money and time, and make the process of renovation easier and less stressful for all parties involved.
Your Vision for Your Home Remodel
Above all else, don’t sacrifice your vision. The whole purpose of remodeling is to create a home that you will love living in.
Redecoration and renovations are exciting, and it’s a way to express yourself creatively while creating a space that you feel happy in. Make sure your budget allows you the freedom to model your home the way that you want to. If something you’ve changed doesn’t look or feel right, it’s okay to change your mind, but make sure to take that into account when constructing a budget.
Remodeling is an exciting way to take your home to the next level. If you follow these tips, you can stay within your remodeling budget without sacrificing the creative vision you have for your home. It can be a little daunting, but just remember to have fun and embrace your own style, and you will love your newly remodeled home.
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These are great tips for staying within your home renovation project! I just finished updating my kitchen and front porch and hiring a contractor that communicates every step of the way was vital for me!
Oh, thats amazing!!!!
We’ve been having a lot of fun doing quick/fun/easy updates to our home. Caleb just finished our master bathroom – I can’t wait to share pictures! Thanks so much for reading and following along!