'This Old House' Checklist for Saving Big On Home Remodeling

Have a remodel project on your mind but are unsure of just how much you can afford to spend? If so, why not rely on a bit of advice from the remodeling experts at This Old House?

Here are some great tips from a highly experienced, globally-recognized team of contractors that you can use as a checklist to make sure your house’s renovation costs don’t get out of hand.

11 Ways To Save Money On Home Remodeling

The following home remodeling recommendations are to help make your home remodeling project go more smoothly.

#1 Maximize A Space's Efficiency, Not Size

In other words, look for ways to accomplish your goals with your existing space over knocking down walls.

#2 Look for Recycled, Liquidation or Auctioned Materials

You never know what you can find, but you can be sure it will cost significantly less than buying it new.

#3 Demo Yourself

While demolition is one of the least expensive aspects of a remodeling job, doing it yourself can save a decent chunk of change that can be used on improved finished products or simply put in your pocket.

#4 Put Long-term Savings Before Short-term Gains

While certain building materials, appliances, and fixtures may cost more for improved efficiency, you’ll often find that these items provide better long-term savings. Do your math!

#5 Save On Delivery Fees

Getting building materials to the jobsite can add to the overall cost. Instead of having certain things delivered, pick them up yourself.

#6 Use the Next Best Thing

#7 Wait Until the Slow Season

It turns out that summertime and the latter months of the year, September through December, are the busiest for contractors. You may get a better deal if you contact builders during their slower months.

#8 Avoid Moving Fixtures

While sometimes a kitchen or bath remodel involves moving a sink or toilet, avoiding doing this by utilizing their positioning into the new design can save a substantial amount of money.

#9 Design Around Standard Sizing

Some items, like windows and doors, often come in standard sizes, which saves over producing anything custom. But what about making square-footage and walls specific sizes to match the sizes of the materials, such as 4-foot by 8-foot plywood sheets for a floor that’s 8-foot by 16-foot versus 10-foot by 15-foot.

#10 Don't Make Last Minute Decisions

Before you decide to break ground, know what you want and resist the urge to add to your initial plans during or after construction begins.

#11 Perform Finishing Activities Yourself

You may be able to save even further by doing some of the finishing tasks yourself. Things like painting, sealing grout, caulking gaps, and certain landscaping activities can shave a few more dollars off the final bill.

In Closing

Know your limits and leave the jobs that require an expert to the pros. The large majority of work involved in a renovation project is done more quickly and to a higher degree of quality by a skilled worker who has years of experience. So don’t bite off more than you can chew or risk botching your project and rather than adding value to your property, you wind up reducing it.