9 ways to reduce the cost of your renovation project

Renovating or upgrading your home can be an exciting prospect and the supplementary space, modern-day appliances and fresh new appearance can all improve the comfort and value of your property. However, major renovation plans can unquestionably feel a little overwhelming and can come up with unexpected and unpredictable challenges including delays and going over budget which can ultimately lead to frustration when all you really want is your project finished so you and your family can settle in. If you are planning on renovating or remodelling your home read on, as we some essential tips that will be useful for you.

At Roofers Nottingham we have experience not only in the roofing department, but also in other home improvement jobs. We have come up with 9 solid tips that we believe every renovator should look at before going ahead with any work. They are outlined below, and we will go into further detail on each one as the blog continues.

1.     Consider ROI (return on investment).

2.     Create a budget

3.     Consult with professionals

4.     Visit the recycling centre

5.     Consider alternative designs to reduce cost

6.     Recycle materials vs binning them

7.     Create a schedule

8.     Consider the value of repairing over of completely replacing.

9.     Have fun!

Consider ROI (return on investment)

When it comes to a renovation project it is essential, if you are planning on selling your home, that you concentrate on projects that give you a great return on your money! Renovations can cost thousands of pounds, but if they won’t enhance the value of your property then is this really a great investment? If you are planning on selling your property and are renovating purely for that sake, then we suggest getting into contact with a local real estate agent and enquiring about the return you may receive from a home restoration project.

Create a Budget

Establishing a budget for your project is crucial and this cannot be emphasised enough! Creating a practical budget and ensuring you have the discipline to stick to it will guarantee your project is successful. They key thing when planning a renovation project is the budget, as you don’t want to recklessly falter into a renovation project without a plan of exactly how much you are willing to spend. It can be tricky to get the figures right, as with any project, you will experience unforeseen costs that you had not prepared for. To help set a realistic target, we recommend building a 15% - 20% contingency into your budget. This will act as a backup plan if you do experience any unexpected costs. Another tip for budgeting is to make sure you track every single penny. Minor purchases may feel unimportant at the time, but these can add up and could be the ultimate difference in you going over the allocated budget.

Consult with the professionals

For any big jobs, we recommend outsourcing to the professionals. If you are not willing to pay a professional, at least consult them to make sure you can do the job yourself and you are aware of what the project entails. We always recommend DIY the things that you can and pay others to do the jobs you cannot. The last thing you need is working on a project that you cannot handle, and it leads to failure and ends up costing you more than you had initially planned. If you do go with a professional for certain jobs, make sure you get the agreement in writing and cover all the basics with them.

Visit the recycling centre

A good way to save some money on the cost of resources is by using a recycling centre. Recycling centres accept contributions of raw materials and then sell them at a small percentage of the price you would be expected to pay normally. Nevertheless, one point to note is that if you are using a contractor, some of them may not be willing to work with recycled materials in case of liability in the event something was to go wrong. If you do plan on recycling in your project, give Roofers Nottingham a call and we will discuss this with you.

Consider alternative designs to reduce cost

New extensions are common amongst restoration projects. Creating more space and modernising your home can breathe new life to your property, however, these renovations can come at a huge cost. We advise anyone who is looking to extend their home to consider whether you could enhance the existing space that you already have. An instance of this would be to remove an internal wall to create an open space living plan, or maybe convert an unused garage space into an office. If you avoid the large additions and focus on making smaller, practical changes, you can save a lot of big bucks!

Recycle materials vs binning them

When renovating your home, try and focus on recycling old materials instead of throwing them away. There are many materials used throughout the home that can be put to use elsewhere. Timber, tiles, roofing felt – all these are great examples of materials that can easily be reused which will save you money on purchasing new materials and also help to save the planet!

Create a schedule

We recommend creating a schedule to include a list of every single job involved in your renovation project and the order in which it is required. It should also include exactly who is carrying out each specific task, the estimated cost and the estimated time it will take to be finished. The perk of this schedule is it can be given to everybody who is partaking in your project so that they are all on the same page. This will help to minimise delays and misunderstandings.

Consider fixing instead of completely replacing

It’s highly probable that your home has a lot of unique charm of its own and why waste unnecessary money on replacing stuff which can easily be restored and fixed. An example of this can be when you pick up your carpets, they may reveal wooden floor which needs to be sanded instead of completely replacing your flooring. This will save you money and time. Another example would be your interior doors. Do they really need a complete revamp, or can they benefit from a fresh coat of paint and some filler? Furthermore, recycling roof tiles and roof slates that are in good condition will not only save you money, but they will also help your new add-ons with blending in with the old. Timber sash windows can also be easily restored rather than being replaced and the bonus with that is you also save lots of money.

Have fun

Renovating your property can seem overwhelming however it is also rewarding and an enjoyable experience. It can enhance the value of your home, give it a wow factor, and impress all your friends and family. Produce a realistic budget up front, have the discipline to stick to it and use our money saving tips for a successful restoration project. Lastly, enjoy the process, as it gives you a chance to be creative and bring your vision to life.

For expert home renovation services, get in touch with the team at Roofers Nottingham!