Renovation is almost always an expensive undertaking; between materials, labor costs, and repairing issues that inevitably come up, it can feel impossible to manage the expenses. However, there are always a few corners to cut and easy ways to save when looking at home improvement options. Use these hacks, tips, and tricks to save on your home repairs and renovations both in the short term and later on down the road.
Consider Concrete
Did you know that a minor kitchen remodel has an average ROI of 82.7%? So, if you’re planning on redoing your kitchen or bathroom and are looking for an affordable countertop option, consider going with concrete. This sleek, modern option has been showing up more frequently in design, and with a bit of know-how it can become an easy DIY project as well. It can also be a great choice for flooring that stands the test of time, rather than just countertops. Due to concrete’s excellent durability and performance, polished concrete flooring has quickly become a popular alternative to marble, granite, tile, and linoleum for many commercial facilities. But before you rip up your carpeting, make sure you give it a good cleaning. Even carpet that looks clean can house up to one pound of dirt in a square yard.
Don’t Forget Drafts
If you’re looking for home renovations and repairs that will really help you save without making too many changes to your existing home, check your windows and doors. According to the U. S. Department of Energy, air leaks around your windows and doors can add 10% to your heating bills. When heating and cooling already make up the bulk of most home energy bills, this 10% addition can quickly pile up. Replace older, less efficient windows and doors with newer alternatives, and they’ll ultimately pay for themselves in energy savings.
Treat Your Water And Yourself
People nowadays are drinking more water than ever, which is great for hydration. However, lots of people rely on disposable water bottles for this, rather than just using their tap water. Global consumption of bottled water goes up 10% each year, but you can save money and reduce the amount of water bottle waste in the world by using tap water. If your home’s water has a slight taste that bothers you, consider adding an extra water filter to your kitchen faucet – this will end up paying for itself in how much you save by avoiding bottled water.
Don’t Fear DIY
Plenty of people think that they don’t have what it takes to truly master the skills to manage their own home projects. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Plenty of home upgrades can be done more affordably and just as effectively by doing them yourself. This mostly applies for cosmetic updates or things that don’t involve heavy construction. If your project involves electrical work or plumbing, however, you’ll probably want to call in a professional. This is also true of doing renovations in homes that are part of a larger neighborhood association or community association. U.S. homeowners paid approximately $88 billion in assessments toward community associations in 2016, many of which were due to homeowners not paying attention to neighborhood guidelines when attempting their own home renovations. Every location will have different requirements, so check before you start doing it yourself.
Saving money on renovations for your home can be tricky, but going about fixing your home in the right way can help you set aside some cash both now and later. The global art market might be worth almost $64 billion, but a little DIY could do yout home and art skills some good! Just make sure you’re practicing safe DIY habits. You don’t want to be one of the 3% of people who visit urgent care only to be redirected to the ER for the severity of your injury. Between choosing materials correctly, focusing on energy-efficient fixes, and doing some of the repairs yourself, you’ll be putting you and your family on track for a healthy safe home with some extra savings on the side.
