Home remodeling can be an exciting experience as it gives you the chance to make your home both more functional and more personalized. No matter if it’s a simple change in décor or an entirely new kitchen, you want to make sure the job is done effectively and within your budget. Home remodeling projects can quickly go over budget but there are ways to avoid going over budget when renovating.
Keeping Your Remodeling Job Under Budget
When asking, "How can I reduce the cost of remodeling my house?", it’s important not to allow yourself to get overwhelmed. By organizing a few key steps, it becomes much easier to keep your project focused and avoid spending more money than you want to. Here are three of the most important steps to keeping your budget from growing out of hand.
A Proper Budget
Your budget has to be complete and should list all associated expenses with your remodeling project. A common error when budgeting for a home renovation project is to leave off important costs. A project is more than the cost of the materials. You also have to consider shipping, clean-up costs, permits and, if doing a total remodel, the cost of furniture and appliances. Your budget should also include a degree of flexibility as random events, such as the discovery of bad wiring, can increase the cost of a home remodel. A buffer of 10 to 15 percent in the total remodeling budget can help account for any unexpected costs.
Stick to the Renovation Plan
Before you apply a single coat of paint, you should have a detailed plan of what you want to do. Your renovation should have clear steps and a clear goal. You should already know what materials you plan to use, the scope of the project, and what the desired finished results should be before the project even starts. Making changes throughout the project increases costs and how long it takes to complete the remodeling job.
Take Your Time
Many home renovation projects can take longer than you expect. You should plan for any time fluctuation or situations that could come up. The last thing you want to do is start rushing a project just to have it completed sooner. This can easily lead to cut corners, substandard work and less than desirable results. If you can, avoid unneeded last-minute changes and allow the project room to breathe.
Final Thoughts
A home renovation project is certainly a busy project, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Careful planning, such as budgeting, planning the scope of your project and allocating enough time for it, makes the whole project easier to manage and can also help ensure it is completed correctly.