8 Hacks to Renovate your Home on a Budget

House 3 min read

01 Oct 2019

Want to renovate your home but don’t have a huge amount to spend? Believe it or not, it is possible to achieve on very tight budget.

With these top tips from the DIY experts over at TaskMatch.ie  you should be well on your way to making your home renovation dreams a reality.

1. Make Yourself the Project Manager for your Renovations 

If you’re trying to stick to a budget for your home renovations, the most cost-effective way is to project manage the renovation yourself. You can then choose and hire the separate trades as required.

Acting as a project manager should not be underestimated. You’ll have a lot of decisions to make and you will need to dedicate a large amount of time to the home renovation. On the plus side, acting as your own project manager means you are in control of what you spend on materials and labour.

2. Always get Multiple Quotes for your Home Renovations 

It’s surprising how many people won’t get more than one quote for work needed. Prices quoted by trades can vary by hundreds of euro! When looking around for tradesmen, you should;

• Always get at least three quotes

• Read past reviews or ask to view previous work

• Remember, the cheapest quote may not always be the best option

• If you realise you need to borrow, check out your local credit union for some of the best loans around

3. Try to Reuse old Materials 

Many home renovation projects involve the demolition of walls. Reusing the original bricks in other areas offers huge savings. Likewise, finding second hands materials online, like roof tiles and slates in sound condition, will not only save you money but will also help any new extensions to blend in with the old house.

In the case of timber windows, it is usually better to repair them rather than replace them. It is usually more cost-effective too.

4. Plan Ahead for Bargains 

Many home renovation projects involve the demolition of walls. Reusing the original bricks in other areas offers huge savings. Likewise, finding second hands materials online, like roof tiles and slates in sound condition, will not only save you money but will also help any new extensions to blend in with the old house.

5. Spend Time Shopping Around

Buying all your home renovation materials, or an entire kitchen or bathroom suite from one supplier, is definitely the simplest and quickest route. But, is it the most cost-effective?

Shopping around can really pay off when it comes to new kitchens for example. There is absolutely no reason why you have to buy your appliances and worktops from the same company that is supplying your kitchen units. In researching the many alternatives available, you are almost guaranteed to save money. The same goes for bathrooms.

6. Consider an Unfinished Look

Anything that cuts down on labour costs is good news for your home renovation plans. Finishes, such as birch-faced ply or exposed brickwork for example, will do away with the need for a plaster finish (a task which is best left to a professional plasterer).

Exposed brick walls are most suited to internal walls rather than exterior walls where good insulation will be necessary.

You can also restore your floorboards to save on flooring. Even the most horrible-looking floorboards can scrub up well! Sand a small inconspicuous area and see what the floor looks like under the years of dirt. If they come up quite nicely but it’s taken a lot of effort, it may be worth hiring a specialist. as sanding floorboards can be very laborious.

7. The Largest Suppliers are Not Always the Best 

We know it’s all too easy to be seduced by slick brochures, stylish websites and smooth-talking sales reps. So, bear in mind that just because a supplier or tradesperson has a large number of employees and impressive sales literature, it does not mean they will necessarily do a better job than a ‘one-man-band’. It probably does mean that they will charge more. Higher overheads usually mean higher prices!

8. Do Some DIY 

This all depends on how confident you feel about your skills. Completing tasks on a DIY basis is one of the top ways to save when it comes to home renovations. Some jobs are always better off left to the professionals (like plumbing, gas, electrical work and plastering). However, you can save thousands by doing simpler jobs such as painting and tiling. You might actually enjoy it too!
 
Ready to get started with your home renovation? Find expert Tradesmen on TaskMatch.ie