Many homeowners want to increase the value of their homes but only have a little time or money to invest in a full renovation. Fortunately, many quick upgrades can make a big difference without breaking the bank.
One of the most affordable ways to update a home is to change out hardware throughout the house. It’s a cheap and easy way to make rooms look newer and more modern.
Paint
You should always be able to locate home improvement material savings on websites like RetailMeNot as a homeowner. It is the only way to maximize your remodeling and improvement budget. Here are some suggestions for getting inexpensive paint and other necessary home improvement items.
Choose a quality paint. It will be worth the investment in the long run. Spending more on good paint will save you money by reducing the coats needed and improving overall finish quality. You can also ask your local home contractor if they can recommend a less-toxic paint, such as a low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Shop seasonal sales. Typically, stores will have big discounts on paint in early spring and around Labor Day. This is the best time to purchase gallons of paint if you plan a major project.
Many hardware stores have a special clearance section for paints that were either returned or mixed, and the customer changed their mind. These “misfit” paints are often on sale for as low as $5 a gallon. It’s smart to buy these paints for the back of your house or other hard-to-reach areas. Another good tip is to ask for a discount when purchasing large quantities of paint. Typically, most stores will give you a price break if you purchase enough paint for an entire room or house exterior.
Flooring
Flooring is one of the most impactful changes you can make to a room. It defines the space, adds comfort, and, in most cases, increases home value. But upgrading your floors can be expensive.
Purchasing flooring from discount stores allows you to upgrade your home without breaking the bank. These retailers buy carpet by the roll, so manufacturers sell to them at a lower price because they buy in large quantities.
They also tend to stock closeout and overrun materials. Combined with their flooring expertise, this makes getting great options at a fair price much easier.
Another great option for those looking to upgrade their home without spending a lot of money is to look for reclaimed flooring. This flooring is sourced from houses being demolished and sold to those willing to do the labor of prying up the old materials and hauling them away for free or a very low cost.
This option allows homeowners to get hardwood floors that will increase the value of their home and help it stand out against other homes in the neighborhood. It’s also cheaper than installing brand-new wood floors.
Bathrooms
There’s no doubt that a bathroom remodel can be expensive. But with some creativity, you can make the upgrades you want without spending a fortune.
One way to keep costs down is to buy secondhand materials. A Missouri couple that renovated their main bathroom on a $6,000 budget used a salvaged clawfoot tub, built new cabinetry from discarded kitchen and bath showroom doors, scavenged marble scraps for countertops, and purchased a $35 etched glass mirror at a yard sale.
Another good source of bargains is to shop online. Homeowners can find everything from toilets to shower curtains at discount prices, but be sure to factor in shipping costs and installation labor.
Finally, look for building supplies on sale during the holidays. Many hardware supply stores offer discounts on cabinets and other bathroom items around Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to CabinetNow.
Another financing option to consider is a personal loan. Unlike a credit card, a personal loan comes with a fixed interest rate and repayment schedule and can be paid off sooner. Plus, it doesn’t require a down payment or collateral. Putting aside monthly money to finance your renovation helps you stick to a budget and avoid overspending.
Kitchens
Purchasing kitchens from discount stores is one of the best ways to save money on a major home improvement project. These stores purchase large quantities of building materials from suppliers and manufacturers and then sell them at a much lower cost to their customers. By shopping for kitchens at these stores, homeowners can save up to 50% or more on the original retail price of these products.
Another way to save on kitchen upgrades is by incorporating salvaged materials into the remodel. For example, instead of spending $5,000 to $10,000 on the lustrous finish of a walnut kitchen countertop, homeowners can use more affordable ash or maple for a similar look that is less expensive. This can be done by staining the wood with a dark color and then applying a water-based finish.
For those interested in saving even more on their kitchen renovations, consider working in phases rather than doing the entire project simultaneously. This will allow you to spread out the costs over a longer period, making it easier to afford. Moreover, this will give you more control over how much you spend on your kitchen upgrades, which can be helpful if you are trying to avoid excessive borrowing and credit card debt.
