When you sit down to begin planning a home renovation, it can be easy for the costs to add up. No matter the budget you set, you will always end up going over (make sure you add that 10 to 20 percent cushion!), so the more you can save in various costs, the better off you will be. It is possible to renovate your house reasonably affordably if you are willing to invest a little bit more time and effort. Here are a few tips for renovating your home on a budget without sacrificing quality.

Increase Efficiency, Not Size

It is costly to completely redo a room to gain square footage when often the problem is a lack of storage. If you can reorganize and equip the room for maximum utility, you will not need to blow out the walls. It can be expensive to shell out the money to upgrade things like cabinets and shelves, but you will save a lot more by skipping the addition you thought you needed.

If it is vital to increase the size of a room, see if it is possible to remove a wall instead of creating an addition. It will make your house feel brand new and improve flow without costing too much. Make sure to check if the wall you want to remove is load-bearing since those are much more complicated projects to navigate. If it is a non-load-bearing wall, it will be easy to remove, and the cost will be minimal.

Refinish Instead of Replace

Homeowners often get bogged down in their homes looking drab when the problem is just cosmetic. When a part of your home looks old, it can be tempting to rip it all out and start over, but don’t underestimate the effect that refinishing can have on a space. A very easy way to refresh any space is with paint. You can add an accent wall with a fun colour or paint them all for a fresh look. Don’t stop at walls – furniture and cabinets can also be updated easily with a fresh coat of paint.

Other refinishing projects are equally easy and will go a long way in giving your house a new look. A new backsplash in the kitchen is increasingly easy for homeowners to install themselves and looks very stylish. A runner down the hallway or on stairs can hide large marks and give new life to high-traffic areas. Fresh caulking around a tub can go a long way in making your bathroom look new. Old furniture can be spruced up by refinishing the wood or reupholstering the material. The possibilities are endless.

Reuse and Recycle

Just because you are tired of your furniture in one location does not mean it can’t be given new life elsewhere. Some of those old kitchen cabinets can be set up to create a downstairs kitchenette. Knobs and light switches can be easily changed to another location. Even simply rearranging furniture can completely change the look and feel of a room without costing a dime.

If you are willing to put in a little time, you can reap big savings with recycled or lightly used fixtures and other materials. Search online or thrift stores for items at a fraction of home center prices. The caveat if you choose to recycle: many contractors will not work with salvaged items, or homeowner-supplied items in general, because they don’t want to assume the liability if something goes wrong. However, if you are doing most or all of the work yourself, you can find plenty of materials simply by looking around a little bit.

DIY When Possible

Unless you have a strict timeline for your renovation, it is always worth doing at least some of the work yourself. There are plenty of jobs that can be done by the average homeowner, such as demolition, painting, sanding, or insulating. Instead of paying someone to do tasks you can easily do yourself, save money and contribute to your renovation.

Before all else, make sure you have a plan for your renovation. If you are not specific about what you want both with yourself and any contractors, you will end up costing yourself more money by potentially performing renovations that you don’t end up loving.

Source: RE/MAX Canada https://blog.remax.ca/how-to-renovate-a-house-on-the-cheap/?rmxv=1687378628&fbclid=IwAR36N2VinjK4V94edIfxc9SgZ3w6N3U-4Rwte7dm74OdErsTTQ4QPU_HaNI

If you are a handyperson, or simply love old houses, then the idea of buying a fixer-upper home could be very alluring. Fixer-uppers often go for way below market price because of their condition, and you can invest time and money into renovating it exactly as you want. However, buying a fixer-upper is not for the faint of heart. Read our guide to buying a fixer-upper to learn more.

Your Life is Going to Be Disrupted During Renovations

No matter how large or small the renovations are, there is going to be some inconvenience while they are happening. You should also expect the project to take longer than anticipated since supply chain issues and other factors could hinder your renovation’s progress. Consider your lifestyle while you renovate: Are you ready to live in the home while it’s being remodelled? Can you live without things like a bathroom or a fully functioning kitchen while they are being updated? Living in a house under construction could be a dealbreaker if you work from home or have young children.

Know What Projects to Prioritize

The ideal fixer-uppers are those which mostly require cosmetic improvements like paint touchups, drywall repairs, or floor refinishing. However, most fixer-uppers are going to have some large projects like redoing a kitchen or bathroom, creating an extra bedroom, or even adding a complete addition to the home. Knowing what projects need to be done before moving in, as opposed to what can be done while you live there, will make a difference in your quality of life. It is also possible to fold cosmetic improvements into a structural repair, such as installing a skylight while redoing the roof, to kill two birds with one stone.

It’s Very Possible to DIY…

Many parts of renovating a fixer-upper are possible to do on your own. With a bit of research and a lot of hard work, you can learn to do tasks like laying tile or carpet, hanging cabinets, building a deck, replacing windows, and more. If you are not the hands-on type, be prepared to devote considerable time and money to contractors, which could completely wipe out your budget and cause delays.

But Know When to Hire a Pro

While many tasks in renovating a fixer-upper can be done on your own, a professional should always do certain jobs. At the very least, plumbing and electricity should be left to the pros, as messing up those parts can ruin your fixer-upper and cost you a lot of time and money; (and be dangerous!). Be realistic about what you can and cannot do, and don’t be afraid to hire help when necessary.

You’re Going to Go Over Budget

When you create the budget for your fixer-upper, factor in a 10 to 20 percent buffer, and beware of relying on premade budgets since they may not accurately reflect market prices. If you are changing anything structural, ensure that your budget includes a section for permits since those can be expensive.

Delays are Inevitable

Never have an end date when your fixer-upper must be completed. The reality is that you will go over your allotted time, and it helps to have no pressure. Remember to include time for any licenses and permits you may need in your plan because these can sometimes take longer than expected.

Invest in Comfort

You want to fix your house up right the first time, so take the time to plan around beautiful focal points and invest in quality pieces that you want to look at each day. Avoid cutting corners on second-rate materials. Although it may initially help your budget, it could be more costly in the long run if hardware breaks or tools are insufficient for the task. And always order more material than you think you need since it can be challenging to get another gallon of paint exactly the same colour or find a piece of stone or wood that matches the original.

The beauty and challenge of fixer-uppers is that each one is different, and your renovations will depend on your budget, timeline, and lifestyle preferences. With this guide, you can be realistic about whether you are willing to take on a complete fixer-upper

Source: remax.ca