Smart Cents: How to Budget a Remodel Without Cutting Corners

A remodel can make your home more enjoyable today and more valuable down the road. But when the budget is tight, it can be tempting to cut corners in ways that cost more later.

The good news is there are plenty of smart ways to save without compromising on quality. Here are our team's best tips for stretching your remodeling budget the right way.

1. You Don't Have to Remodel the Whole Room

You can make a room feel new by keeping elements that still work and replacing only the key pieces. A few high-impact, lower-cost updates:

• Paint: Fresh wall color is one of the best-known updates, and painting kitchen or bathroom cabinetry can cost far less than replacing it.
• Hardware: New knobs and pulls refresh cabinets and drawers instantly.
• Lighting: Updated fixtures make a space feel more current.
• Floors: Refinishing existing hardwood, or keeping flooring that is still in good shape, reuses what you already have.

2. Use Standard Manufacturer Sizes

Custom-built materials are beautiful, but they come at a premium. With a little research into common sizes, you can often choose products that don't need to be specially made. Cabinetry, for example, typically comes in stock, semi-custom and fully custom price points. Stock options cost less, though you may give up some control over design details.

3. Let a Design-Build Firm Plan Your Budget

A design-build firm manages your project from start to finish. We coordinate the trades and schedules for you and plan costs upfront rather than in the middle of the project. Because this is what we do every day, we know the materials, processes and quality standards inside and out.

We can also narrow down material choices to options that fit your budget, so you aren't endlessly searching or falling in love with something out of range. Talking openly about budget and priorities early (say, splurging on a marble vanity top while painting cabinets that are still sturdy) lets us plan a project around both your vision and your numbers. Learn more about our process and how a design-build firm can save you money.

4. Don't Move the Big Stuff

Relocating plumbing or load-bearing walls adds significant cost. Keeping the same or a similar layout often lets you put more money toward finishes. A refresh within the existing footprint can still make a room look dramatically different, and the savings might let you upgrade materials elsewhere.

5. Professional Workmanship Is the Corner Not to Cut

Some small projects can be tackled with a good online tutorial. Most renovations, though, should be handled by experienced professionals. They finish faster, they do it right the first time, and fixing an amateur's mistakes can be costly and stressful.

Reputable contractors also stand behind their work. If an unexpected issue like mold, rot or failing pipes turns up, it helps to have knowledgeable pros on hand to recommend the most cost-effective fix. If you want to save, ask your contractor which services cost more so you can plan wisely. Our post on knowing when to DIY goes deeper.

6. Make Use of Your Resources

If you don't have materials to reuse, check places like Habitat for Humanity's Hall County ReStore or building material auctions. Salvage hunting takes time, but it can pay off when the pieces you find are standard sizes or match what you're replacing.

Remodel Smart

Saving money in the short term can mean spending much more later if the work isn't done right. Spending a little more to get it right the first time is almost always the better investment. Our design-build team has experience with projects and budgets of every size, and we'd love to help you plan yours. You might also find our guide to financing a home remodel helpful.

Let's build a plan that fits your budget. Call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact us today.