9 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Next Renovations

Updating your home does not have to be expensive.  There are ways to save money on renovations and not have to binge on a ramen diet like your college days.  And here are nine of them!

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I have been through renovating my last home pretty much in its entirety.  When we sold it we still had a list of projects we wanted to do, but we had done plenty!

So much so that we made over 30k off the house in just shy of 4 years of being there.  Which also allowed us to fulfill our goal of moving out of state.

Remodeling your home can quickly get expensive if you’re not careful. In addition to the upfront costs associated with building supplies and fixtures, there are also unknown costs that pop up throughout the project.

Luckily, there are a few ways you can save money on your next remodel without cutting corners. Here are some simple ways to save money on your next renovation.

9 Ways To Not Break The Bank When Doing Home Renovations

Upcycle and Reuse

One of my favorite things to do is turning old things into something new.  Upcycling old things to make them new or even something completely different is exciting and resourceful.

Keep your budget intact by using items you already have. Whether you keep your current cabinets and reface them or move a light fixture from one room to another, making use of items you already have is a great way to save money.

And if you need something new for your space, consider reusing something from someone else’s home. Like I did when I turned an old dresser a friend gave me into a dining room buffet.

Check out your local salvage store (my favorite is the Habitat for Humanity Restore) or your favorite buy/sell website, like the Facebook marketplace, to find items you need for your home at a fraction of the cost of buying them new.

And just in case you don’t know, here is  The Difference Between Upcycling and Recycling.

Create a Budget

Starting any project with a set budget in mind is one of the simplest ways to save money on your renovation. I wish I could tell you I am good and this suggestion.  But I know that this is a good (and responsible) way of saving money when doing home updates.  Having a plan is almost always better than not, especially where there is money concerned.

Knowing exactly how much money you have to spend on the project will help you stay within those guidelines as the project progresses.

And if an unexpected expense comes up, be sure to stick to your budget by adjusting your spending on other aspects of the project accordingly.

Watch for Sales

Sometimes you need a big-ticket item and you have no choice but to buy it new.

If you’re in need of appliances or furniture for your renovation, keep an eye on sales to get the best deal on your big purchase.

American holidays, like Labor Day or Memorial Day, are great for purchasing new appliances and Black Friday is a wonderful time to purchase new electronics for your home.

Sell What You Don’t Need

If you’re removing appliances or fixtures from your home that are still in good condition, consider selling them and adding the profits to your budget.

If you don’t feel like going through selling them, a place like a Habitat for Humanity takes donations which are tax deductible.  

There are several ways you can unload your unwanted items, including listing them on sales websites like Craigslist or holding a yard sale one weekend outside your home.

Get rid of old stuff you no longer want and/or need to make room for the new!

DIY

Another simple way to save money on a renovation is to do as much of the project as you can yourself.

Have you met me?  You had to know this was going to be on the list.

DIY’ing will allow you to allocate money that would have been spent paying a contractor to complete the work toward purchasing building supplies and fixtures you need for your project.

Some simple aspects of a renovation that most homeowners can tackle are the demo process, clean-up, and painting. And depending on your experience and skill sets, there are a variety of other renovation tasks you could handle before hiring a professional to help.

Choose What You Want To Splurge On

There are some items that you can not get around spending money on quality.  But where there are opportunities to save, take them.  You don’t always have to pay high-end prices to get a high-end look.

My countertop makeover is a perfect example of this.  I get so many questions on how I changed it from that dark black to a light brown with texture to fully brighten the room.

Get Extra Hands

There are some projects you will need help with.  Not for lack of skill, but sometimes you just need someone to hold something in place while you screw in screws, or to help so you can squeeze the most hours out of the day.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  Preferably, from someone who has the skill set to get the job done.

Know When To Hire Help

Sometimes you have to think about how much is your time worth.  This is something that I have to explain to my husband often.  I love DIY’ing.  Probably more than him.  BUT sometimes the time it will take and will require your to sacrifice might make it worth hiring out to a professional.

Additionally, don’t overestimate your skill set.  Some times taking on projects that are over your head can end up costing you more money in the long run.  I wish I did not have a story or example of this of my own, but when I epoxy’d my countertops I almost broke the bank and ended my marriage.  Not good.  Not good at all.

Be Patient

Sometimes it can take a lot more time to Do Things yourself but it is well worth it in savings.

I have sacrificed many evenings and weekends to do work around my house.  Ultimately because I get an extreme amount of satisfaction from not only getting the job done.  But also saving money doing it.

There is a special attachment to my home when I have literally put some of my own blood, sweat, and tears into the design and decorating of it.  And yes, my home projects have made me shed a tear here and there.  I am not afraid to admit it.

Why You Should Renovate Your Home

Updating your home is not only about aesthetics.  But also about holding or increasing the value of your home.

In all three times that I was home shopping, I went into homes that were priced with the market, but not updated like the others to warrant it.

Some people shy away from home ownership altogether for fear of updating or having to do repairs.  But I am here to tell you that updating your home doesn’t have to break the bank and can be quite enjoyable to see unfold.

Need some project inspiration?  Check me out on Pinterest to see all the things I am swooning over these days.