Thinking of renovating your home, but want to keep the costs down? There are lots of ways to make home improvements cheaper. Here are just 7 ways to cut costs.
Time it right
Some home improvements can cost less at certain times of the year. Insulation tends to cost less in the summer when there’s less demand for it – many insulation installation companies will offer discounts during this season. Meanwhile, outdoor improvements like patios and decking are often cheaper in the winter because of a similar lack of demand. January meanwhile tends to be a popular time for tradesmen of all kinds to charge less – with so many people still financially recovering from Christmas, there’s a much lower demand for improvements.
You will also find that you save a whole lot more money if you carry out home repair work sooner rather than later. Calling in Local Contractors to resolve a leak in your roof when you first find it, for example, can prevent you having to call someone to resolve the leak and someone to repair damaged electrics, structural elements of your home, and other issues later down the line!
Do it yourself
Putting your DIY skills to the test could also save you money. While you may want to avoid electrics, plumbing, and other more complex jobs, there could still be tasks like painting, laying flooring, and putting up shelves that you can attempt yourself. You’ll find plenty of DIY guides online to help you.
Source your own materials/parts
Even if you decide to hire professionals, it could still be worth sourcing your own parts and materials to reduce some of the cost. You can source specific parts such as this Grundfos CR pump online. Many tradespeople charge extra for supplying these parts and materials and you could find that you save money looking for supplying them yourself. Just make sure you know the exact parts and materials that you need.
Convert, don’t extend
If you’re looking to add more space to your home, consider whether you have unused space that you can convert rather than building an extension. For instance, if you need another bedroom, it could be cheaper to convert your loft than to build a whole new room. Similarly, you may be able to extend a kitchen by borrowing space from a neighboring room.
Avoid relocating fixtures
Fixtures like ovens, sinks, and toilets are best kept in the same location when renovating. Moving them could result in having to also relocate piping, which could push the cost up dramatically. If you’re buying new fixtures, consider putting them in the same location as the old fixtures.
Opt for track lighting over spot lighting
If you want to improve the lighting of a room, consider opting for track lighting instead of spotlighting. Track lighting can all be wired into one overhead light fitting while spotlighting involves creating multiple fittings, which can be a lot more expensive. In many cases, track lighting is just as effective at lighting up a room. This guide at Top Light Co offers more information on track lighting.
Save, don’t borrow
Many people fund home improvements using loans. While this can be cheaper upfront, you’ll end up spending more in the long run. Saving up for home improvements can take a long time, but it will be more rewarding and cheaper overall. Even if you fund some of your home improvements with savings, it’s better than trying to fund the whole project with a loan.
