Cost Saving Ideas

Save money by planning ahead. Go through the design process first and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), from appliances to light fixtures. This will define your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in the project.

Be sure to include all your product and material selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary change orders. Include the model, size, color, and other specifications. It is also wise to save 10-20 percent of your budget to allow for items added to the scope of work.

The number one way to decrease the cost of your remodeling project is product choices. Look around to determine whether you can achieve a similar look with a less expensive product.

In addition, very labor-intensive design features like custom woodwork, intricate tile designs and custom products may increase the cost of a job. There are many ways to save money using less expensive products to achieve similar results, such as laying ceramic tile on kitchen countertops and the backsplash which can update a kitchen for much less than new granite countertops.

Compare products and their prices carefully before you make final decisions. Keep an open mind when you discuss product and design ideas with your contractor. Make decisions based on value and quality, not just price.

Think about staging the work being done to minimize the initial financial impact. It is often easier to create a more manageable budget by starting small and adding to the project at a later date. This will break the work into several jobs instead of one large project. The down-side of staging a remodel is that you may end up paying more in the long run. If all the room really needs is a facelift, make the most of changes with paint, as opposed to structural changes. Changing the color of a room can revitalize it. This is the easiest way to bring life to a room on a budget.

Heavy or textured wallpaper can work wonders as well. You can save money by wallpapering a slightly damaged wall rather than replacing it. If the wall has grass cloth wallpaper on it, consider whitewashing it for a totally new look. Several layers of whitewash (in various shades of white) produce a clean, sophisticated look in any room. Faux finish painting or other textured decorative painting techniques also can hide minor damage or irregularities that flat paint won't.

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