So, you’ve decided this is your year for customizing your home’s spaces to make them more comfortable, organized, and places you want to spend time in. You may have heard nightmarish stories from friends or family on projects gone wrong. And you know what they say about advice, everyone has an opinion on how to approach a remodeling project.
Here, we’ve recapped 9 tips and tricks for staying on budget so that your renovation project turns out better than imagined. So, let’s dive in!
BUYING CHEAP MATERIALS
Before you say, “but wood is so expensive right now”, it’s important to remember an old adage: you get what you pay for. Meaning, if you use cheap materials, you’ll get cheap results. Find materials that are long-lasting—with a warranty, if possible—stylish, and fit within your budget. You only get one shot at choosing the right materials. Make sure your remodeling efforts hold up for years to come.
ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS
You know the saying, measure twice, cut once? There is no worst way to waste money than cutting something wrong because the measurements were off. Sometimes, you may not even realize it until you try and fit the pieces together.
PROPER PREPPING
While no one likes prep work—especially taping off an entire room when all you want to do is begin painting—but it’s necessary for a high-quality result. Sure, you could freehand all your painting, but mistakes will need to be cleaned up and/or redone, so why not do it right the first time?
USING THE RIGHT TOOLS
According to former executive editor of Family Handyman, "There are really three problems with using the wrong tool: You can wreck the tool, you can wreck the project you're working on, and you can wreck yourself."
OVERLOOKING LIGHTING
Proper lighting sets the tone of a room as quickly as the wall color. It’s important to think about the tasks and various task areas of a room when considering lighting. You’ll also want to keep in mind flexibility and create a solution that allows for reducing the light, using only some of it, and how it will look at nighttime. Remember, there are three types of lighting: task lighting, general lighting, and accent lighting. Make a plan for each of these for a well-balanced room every time.
BEING TOO SPECIFIC/TRENDY
Trends come and go therefore choosing features that are too trendy can come back to bite you later once they are out of style. If you do want to use a few trendy pieces, make sure they are in areas that are easy to swap out once they are out of style. Light fixtures for instance are an easy swap out however a trendy countertop is much more difficult and costly to change later.
PLAN FOR MESSY SPACES
It’s easy to get overenthusiastic and tear out your entire kitchen at once. But what about cooking meals? Can you still get to your refrigerator? Where will the dishes go in the meantime? Planning a complete kitchen overhaul in sections, if possible, will allow you to live your everyday routine with minimal disruption.
GET PROPER PERMITS
It may seem like an unnecessary step but having proper building permits protects you in the event of a serious mishap. Not having your permit in such an event means your homeowner’s insurance will not cover it.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Knowing your budget—and sticking to it—is one of the most important aspects of home remodeling. This is going to require research upfront and lots of it. You’ll also want to include funds as a contingency should unexpected expenses arise.
BOTTOM LINE
Remodeling your home yourself is a very affordable way to make changes to your home especially given the fact that labor is typically the biggest expense. But if you’re unsure and have never tackled a home renovation project yourself, it may be best to rely on a contractor to bring your vision to life. If that’s the case, consider calling on Cabin Cares, a division of Mountain Life Group, LLC, which takes the worry and stress out of customizing your home by providing an all-in-one solution. Learn more about Cabin Cares on their website.
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