Renovating your house can be a very expensive process that can burn through your savings lighting fast. Therefore, we are going to share with you some tips and tricks that can save you a significant amount of money without having to compromise the quality of the repairs.

The more work you can do on your own, the more money you save, but be careful not to get in over your head. Stick to doing things that you are comfortable with and that you can manage without risking to get hurt or to create any damages.

Here is a list of tips to consider when you renovate your house that will help you have the best results while keeping within the limits of your budget.

1. Do plenty of research and formulate a plan

First and foremost decide what it is that you wish to accomplish by renovating your house and make sure that renovating your house before selling is really worth it.

Choose some of the key elements that you want to add or to change such as appliances, fittings, materials, or finishes. Start doing your research; you can look online where you can compare prices, read reviews and articles, go to dedicated shops, or ask other people for advice.

Make a list with the most inexpensive and qualitative options that you came across and start formulating your plan. Decide what things you will do first and how many of them you can handle by yourself.

2. Stick to your renovating budget as much as possible

There is no need to say that sticking to your budget is the most important aspect and that you should pay extra attention to all the costs and expenses. If you decide to do extensive renovations that require many contractors make sure you get quotes from multiple places before choosing who you are going to hire.

Keep in mind that pre-sale renovating on a budget will not include any structural modifications or any tasks that are too intensive, that would require building permits, or that can make way for unexpected expenses.

3. Hire the most appropriate specialists and contractors

Asking for quotes is key to obtaining a fair price. Do not hesitate to ask around and to discuss your plans with more than just one construction team. Make sure you also check the contractor's’ reputation before hiring them, as rates do not always reflect the quality of their services. If you need to, you can also ask for their licenses, portfolios, references, and of course a detailed breakdown of all the estimated costs.

4. Do it yourself

This is one of the most efficient techniques people use when renovating a house, but it is not the right choice for every situation. Whether you should do certain tasks by yourself or not is a difficult question to answer because it depends on other factors.

There are certain jobs that legally require you to licensed professionals such as plumbing, electrical work, gasfitting, or in some states even roofing and concreting. Here are some examples of work that you can do by yourself: removing old carpet, removing old paint, modifying and removing furniture.

Regardless of which of these tasks you decide to work on yourself make sure you have the right tools, that you are safe, and that you have the right mindset. You can also read our article about flipping houses or check out this list of ways in which you can spruce up your home before selling.

5. Know where to buy good quality materials for a low price.

While there are certain renovation items that must be new such as anything electrical, there are others that can be bought second-hand. Gumtree, E-bay, garage sales, warehouse sales, are all perfect places to start searching for second-hand materials that can help you save a significant amount of money.

However, make sure you know exactly what you are buying, and if you can find a friend who knows a thing or two about home improvements, ask for their opinion before making any substantial investments. When buying online, make sure that the vendors are trusted sources, read their reviews and ask them everything you need to know.

6. Avoid making any big investments outdoors

In order to renovate on a budget, try to keep your outdoors as simple as possible, because excavating or extensive landscaping can be very expensive. Minimize your costs, and opt for something simpler such as lawn patches.

If you are determined to add pavement, don’t forget to check online for recycled materials. Additionally, choosing plants that require the least amount of care, such as Frangipani, Lavender, Rosemary, Roses, or Citrus Trees will help maintenence costs down.

Our real estate platform offers you the possibility to find and compare the best real estate agents in your area, so give it a try, and if you want to learn about the best techniques that can increase the value of your property you can check out our interactive tool below.

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