Home Remodel Tips: 19 Ways to Keep Costs Down

You save space in the landfill, collect a charitable tax credit for the donation, and help a good cause. But another universal truth about home improvement is that every little thing adds up. So another important consideration to start with is to decide whether or not to demolish the whole house and start from scratch. "People often make the mistake of picking the wrong paint for whatever particular project they may be working on," says Carmen. "You don't realize that there is paint for just about every surface."

To fund your project, consider getting tax-free funds for your remodeling project with cash-out refinancing. When it comes to renovating the inside of a home, you have to factor in the cost of demolishing the interior. This typically costs $1,200 – $4,700 with a high end of about $10,0004. The Home Renovation total price includes the removal of debris, dumping fees, permits and tear out. Once everything is cleared out, you have to factor in the costs depending on the specific project. Depending on the type of house and project, the average recommended spending for remodeling projects will vary.

Many peel-and-stick flooring options are thin enough that you don't have to remove existing flooring to give your room a budget-friendly upgrade underfoot. Even if the floor must come off because you just can't stand it any longer, a new floor can be a long-lasting project that, on its own, isn't too expensive. Plus, plenty of DIY options exist to help you save on labor, too. Stand-alone tables or cabinets can be a cost-friendly feature for an island-less kitchen. The more extras you add the more it will cost, so if a super-low budget is your goal, start with a simple table.

Save the floors for last so your new floors don't get damaged or dirty. If renovating you whole home is out of your budget, focus on things that will increase your home's value the most. This includes updating your kitchen, replacing your HVAC system, and renovating your bathrooms. Look up the cost of the materials you’d like to use for your renovations such as flooring, siding, appliances, and countertops. Work out the costs for each room, including structural work and finishing touches like paint. Get quotes from contractors and put together a budget for your project.

Make sure you check with any local building codes before you make your own renovations. You can live in the house, but oil-based polyurethane is the best material and it smells. Also it will probably cost much more for the contractor to keep coming back, rather than having him do the house all at one time. Projects like redoing your roof, replacing siding, and replacing windows are highly visible and can boost the value of your home without having to do major renovations. Realtors estimate that homeowners can recover 57% of the cost of a bathroom renovation if they sell their home.

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty ImagesIf you're looking for a quick remodel idea that you can accomplish in less than an hour, install a programmable thermostat. Murray LampertIf no one is interested in using your home's kitchen island, it might be because the island is not interesting. Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. She has almost four years’ experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List). "Ninety-eight percent of the time, allowances are too low," says Tom Silva. For instance, you may have had a glass-tile backsplash in mind, but your contractor's bid was for ceramic.

Elaborate custom upgrades may appeal more to you than to potential buyers. It’s best to make small, décor-neutral renovations that improve the functionality of your home. And remember, even with the real estate renovations that are known to add value, the chances are good that you will spend more money than you will get back at resale. Curb-appeal projects make the property look good as soon as prospective buyers arrive. While these projects may not add a considerable amount of monetary value, they will help your home sell faster—and you can do a lot of the work yourself to save money and time. On the other hand, while you do want your house to stand out from the competition, you shouldn’t make upgrades that greatly exceed the neighborhood standard.

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