Renovating your property is exciting and rewarding work, but it can break the bank much faster than you might expect. It’s essential not to cut corners when renovating. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about your finances while you’re at it. Follow these tips to get the most out of your next project.
Get a Contractor’s Opinion
The main error people make with renovations is being unsure about the amount of work going into a project. If the renovations are mainly to replace something that broke, ask a contractor if they can repair it. Often, skipping renovation or replacement and opting for a repair can save a homeowner hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
It’s essential to get a professional second opinion on your project before making final decisions. This way, you can be sure that you are getting the best estimate possible. Get a few quotes before committing to any one contractor.
Do Your Own Research
After hearing your contractor’s opinion on what needs to happen, do a Google search for what the project entails. You should try and get a basic understanding of the process, the materials required, and how much they cost. If there’s one kind of granite for $50 and another for $100, you’ll want to have that information to compare to the contractor’s estimate.
Decide Your Vision
Whether you’re replacing some flooring, tearing down a wall, or redoing your entire kitchen, it’s essential to understand what you want to change. You should determine exactly what you want your renovation to accomplish and what you want the final result to look like as well. If you don’t have an end goal in mind, then you could wind up being talked into a new basement when you just need a new kitchen counter.
Start the Work Yourself
It will vary on a case-by-case basis, but you might be able to knock out a hefty portion of the workload yourself. After all, contractors may get paid for several days’ work while they do demolitions and other prep work. What requires skilled labor and what is something you can do yourself?
In some cases, you may discover you could do the whole process. For instance, if you want to redo your floor, watch some tutorial videos and discover if you can handle the job. Then follow their guidelines and take proper safety precautions.
Protect Yourself and Your Home
It is vital that you avoid personal injury during any construction project. However, one of the most often overlooked hazards with renovations is the accidental damage to property.
There are specially-made mats that protect your yard from damage. Crane mats handle the traffic that comes when your home is under construction. These mats form temporary roadways and a temporary worksite. Trucks, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment can drive back and forth and not leave gashes in the dirt. Workers can set up their saws and make messes that can be cleaned up by sweeping instead of leaving debris behind in the grass.
The last thing you want is to be taking pictures of your new shed, only to notice there are tire tracks from construction equipment everywhere, and the grass is ripped out of the ground and scattered all over the place.
By requiring your contractor to utilize construction mats on your lawn, you’ll keep your grass looking fresh and avoid any possible future landscaping bills. It’s one of those things that you may have to put in your renovation contract.
Conclusion
With these simple tips, you should be able to save a few dollars on your renovation project. If you follow these steps, you can also learn a thing or two about your home and possibly be even more prepared for next time. Nevertheless, have fun with your project, and remember to take before-and-after pictures!