Is your home in desperate need of a facelift? As you probably know, renovations don\u2019t come cheap. In fact, the average kitchen remodel tops $60,000 and bathroom overhauls can cost $18,000!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With some careful planning, though, you can find yourself saving thousands on home renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 7 ways to save:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of knocking down walls, give the outdated area a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures and some minor d\u00e9cor upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential money saved:<\/strong> $30,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find someone professional, reliable and willing to give you a decent price. Check out at least three different contractors before making your decision. Ask for references and meet with each contractor in person to get a feel for their professional conduct and character. Also, be sure to sign a detailed contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential money saved:<\/strong> several thousand dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It often makes sense to pay more now if it\u2019ll save you big down the line. For example, if you\u2019re installing clapboard siding, you\u2019ll save in the long run by paying more for pre-primed and pre-painted boards. Using the prefinished boards means you\u2019ll need half as many paint jobs in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Money saved:<\/strong> $1,250 (for a 10\u00d740 area).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When long-term functionality is not a criterion, choose the midgrade option. One area where you\u2019ll see this at play is in carpeting. Olefin and polyester carpeting will run you $1 to $2 per square foot, while wool costs upward of $9 to $11 per square foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Money saved:<\/strong> $400 (for a 40-square-feet area).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking to bring a splash of sunshine into your kitchen? Instead of adding a window, consider installing a \u201clight tube.\u201d It slips between the rafters on your roof and works to funnel sunshine down into the living space below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding a double-pane window can run you $1,500; a light tube costs $500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Shop around for a contractor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Consider long\u2013term benefits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Pick decent but midgrade materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Bring in natural light without windows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n