On a Budget? 5 tips to lower your costs when remodeling.

A lot of prospective home remodeling customers are worried that they will not be able to afford their project. Here are 5 tips for helping work with your budget when it’s time for your remodel:

-buying materials yourself. See exactly what you want at some discount store? Grab it! While your contractor most often can get better prices (due to larger purchase volume), sometimes you really see a deal that is unbeatable. Just make sure you check with your contractor to make sure the product will work for what you were planning.

-painting. Got a free weekend? Why not get the family together to paint that new addition. Most contractors will leave drywall finished and ready to be painted. This is an easy thing to do if you have the time.

-keep existing cabinets, countertops, etc. Are your cabinets in need of some minor work? Consider repainting or staining them to make them look fresh and help cut costs on a bath or kitchen remodel.

-don’t just take lowest bid. Wait, you got that backwards don’t you? No, actually I’m serious. The lowest price is always intriguing, but make sure this prospective contractor has experience in the type of work you’re looking for. Lack of estimating experience can lead to much more costs down the road when the contractor realizes he completely underestimated his time on the job. Having a new contractor come and fix the old ones’ mistakes is never cheaper.

-make a list in 3 categories ‘must have/wants/dreams’ and plug and play to find what fits in your budget. Want your cake and eat it too? You’re not alone, but when you are working on a budget lists like these help you prioritize function over form. Plus, you could always use your list to help you plan the projects you want done in phases over several months or years.

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