Bonjour lecteurs! Because of the global economy right now, 2023 has proven to be tough. And the housing market is not great at the minute. Like many others, instead of moving house as we originally planned, we decided to renew our mortgage and do some renovations in our house. Taking a projet similaire? Do you plan to Renovate Your Home On A Budget? Here are 7 Ways To Keep Costs Down.
1. Create and Stick To a Budget
When renovating a home, preparation, and planning are keys so that you can save up money.
Be honest with yourself and see what you can objectively achieve without your budget. Having a financial plan does not mean it has to be cheap.
Work out what rooms you want to upgrade and set a specific amount of money you are prepared to spend on each element. This way, you will keep close to your initial plan.
You can also save up by choosing cheaper materials or dropping unnecessary items.
2. Find A Local Workforce
Before heading for big enterprises that will always end up charging you more, see if the local workforce can do the job for you.
Nowadays, it’s so easy to go online and find some painters and decorators near you in a few clicks.
Or do you know a handyman that can do the work for a cheaper option? I rely on my friends and word of mouth has always been un succés.
From a cleaner to someone to put up our fences last year, we often relied on local people to do handy jobs in our house.
Or rally a couple of friends and do it yourself if you can! Make it fun, order pizzas et voilà! You would be surprised to see what you can achieve on your own!
3. Get at Least Three Quotes
Not a queen of DIY? I don’t blame you! I am not much either and quite frankly, I don’t really want to get my nails damaged! ?
So if vous décidez to ask an expert to help you renovate your house, get at least 3 quotes. So many people go for une option without looking around first.
But you can save up so much simply by looking around for the best option! And don’t forget that the cheapest quote may not always represent the best value for money.
4. Project Manage Yourself
Even if you end up not doing the work yourself, you can still keep costs down by being your own project manager.
However, be aware that it is a demanding job and it might take longer than you initially thought. You would have to take beaucoup de décisions and you might even have to adapt and change plans along the way.
5. Pay Cash
Paying cash is quite common to renovate on a budget.
It will save you a significant amount of money in loan interest and credit card charges. It depends on the nature of your project.
Par exemple, if you are renovating a home for sale, taking a loan to fund the project is financially sensible as you will get a return on your investment and pay the loan quickly.
Otherwise, a cash payment will probably be the cheapest option.
6. Buy Materials In The Sales
This requires more planning bien sûr, but so worth it as you can save up so much.
Be organized and leverage on sales like Black Friday for items like power tools or electronics, or even end of seasons sales to purchase key materials.
You will get the same qualité as the latest range for up to half the money!
7. Get Inspired Online
Need more help and inspiration? Pas de problème!
From blogs to Pinterest and Youtube, there are so many resources out there for you to be inspired and get the best money-saving hacks.
Here is une liste of my fave Interior Design Blogs to Follow:
J’adore aussi browsing Country Living because I am dreaming of a Frenchie cottage someday. Or if in need of Frenchie inspiration, I enjoy checking out Elle Décor. It’s part of my French roots.
What’s your favourite place for home and interior inspiration? Sometimes, it is just around us, when we visit hotels, or even when we go for a walk or read a book, listen to a podcast… Inspiration is everywhere!
So go and get after this dream home of yours!
I hope you enjoyed reading my latest home post, Renovate Your Home On A Budget? 7 Ways To Keep Costs Down.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
Love a bit of DIY
thanks for your saving tips
we have done our bungalow which was previously owned by an old and infirm couple who had let everything go. To keep costs down we just painted over all their 70’s wallpaper, same colour throughout Simply Walnut by Dulux for a good flow from room to room especially being all one level, also cheaper as we could buy big pots of paint. We have also just painted the old wooden kitchen cupboards in light grey paint from B&Q called V33 absolutely amazing stuff! kitchen looks brand new, also did our sideboards & tables in living room in same paint V33. So refreshed whole house including kitchen for only a few hundred pounds!
I think it is also good if you can try to do the easier tasks yourself by watching online tutorials on YouTube. Jobs like painting, or even if you’re buying your own materials so they won’t charge you extra.
I love a bit of DIY and doing up my home myself. I love going to the ideal home show exhibit to get ideas for my home and how to renovate it.
Some great advice, its also worth asking friends & family if they are having a clear out. We painted the spare room with our own mix of our unused paint & that of my parents neighbours!