If you’re like most people, the best renovation advice that you’ve heard and remembered is “always over-budget.” In light of this, many homeowners start renovations by figuring out how much money they have to spend. It’s a smart strategy. Here are some tips on renovating your house AND staying on budget.

1. Prioritize renovations

Many people are left wondering if they should test the waters of home renovation, only to see how much money is available for them. While some renovations can be more fun than others, it’s important that you have a good idea of what you’re working with before you start trying to design your kitchen or bathroom. For example, roofing repairs are generally inexpensive and easy to add to the renovation budget. If you want to have an estimate on how much it will cost, the team from Bison Roofing in San Antonio says you can always contact a roofing company and get a free estimate. Sometimes you need a good deal and some extra help.

Replacing a few windows, however, is usually more expensive and requires that some existing walls be opened up to accommodate the new ones.

If you’re having trouble finding room for an extensive renovation, consider boosting the value of your home with simple tips instead of major overhauls. Cleaning up the clutter in your garden can make it look bigger and brighter, and a fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward making your home look its best.

Replacing the appliances in an outdated kitchen or simply installing hardwood flooring under an old carpet can totally transform how your home looks, and both renovations require only a small investment and work well with any sort of budget.

2. Planning ahead

Homeowners who plan ahead tend to enjoy a smoother renovation process than those who jump into renovations blind. This means having a list of renovation ideas in mind (or at least on paper) when you begin the process, so you can steer clear of impulse buys.

Your renovation ideas list can also include things like how much money you plan to spend total, the street address of your home, square footage measurements, number of bathrooms…pretty much anything that will help make things easier on you down the road.

It’s important to have a budget in mind while planning your renovations because it makes it simpler for contractors and suppliers to give an accurate warranty or quote on their services. Plus, with a set budget in place, you’ll have a better idea of what you can and cannot afford to do. This makes it easier to choose your renovation ideas wisely.

3. Look up the cost of things before you go shopping

If you don’t want to hire a contractor or interior designer, make sure that at least one person present knows the cost of whatever they’re proposing. Whether this means a relative or a friend doesn’t matter as long as they know how much the chosen items will cost.

Even if you’re hiring a contractor, it’s smart to know how much things cost before you go shopping. If you don’t, and the contractor is looking at finished fixtures or finishes for your renovation ideas, he or she will end up overcharging you. If possible, try to shop on Wednesday afternoons or Saturdays. During these times, you’ll be able to avoid the big crowds that come with Saturday shopping, and some suppliers will offer deals on certain items only on these days of the week.

4. Explore your options

Other than hiring a contractor for renovation projects or having an experienced eye present, this is probably one of the most important things that you can do to plan your budget without overspending. Depending on how big your project is, you may want to invite several contractors (or interior designers) over for bids at different stages of your renovations. Even if they give similar quotes at first, it’s possible that there are hidden costs in the other quotes. Shopping around gives you peace of mind because you know all your options before spending money.

A renovation can make a huge impact on a home’s value and should be included in every homeowners’ long-term plan. However, too many homeowners rush to begin renovations before they have a proper list of renovation ideas or a clear budget. Taking the time to create an idea of what you want your finished renovation to look like and creating a budget before you get started can save you money, time, and frustration while improving the value of your home. For example, when considering renovation ideas, you might explore the option of adding glazed internal doors to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your living spaces. If you can’t do it by yourself, you can always ask for help. Happy renovating!

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