Remodeling an Old House on a Budget: 5 Tips for Success
You bought the fixer-upper, but how do you actually afford the renovations? Learn about remodeling an old house on a budget here.
You bought the fixer-upper, but how do you afford the renovations? It may seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry, here are some tips to update your home and not kill your finances.
Learn about remodeling an old house on a budget here.
1. When Remodeling an Old House on a Budget, Do the Big Changes First
When you are trying to stick to a budget it makes sense to commit to changes that will have the biggest impact on your space first. Painting the walls, replacing the flooring or updating the appliances will be the most important changes you can make first.
A new color coat of paint will change the appearance of the space and make the biggest impact on your home. Changing out the old carpet and replacing it with hardwood floors can also be a great enhancement. Once these main renovations have been done then you can focus on updating the smaller details.
2. Small Changes Come Next
Once you have finished with the big changes in your remodel, its time to think about what small updates you can make that will help spruce things up.
If you aren’t in a position to do a full kitchen remodel yet, then you can do something simple like resurfacing the cabinets or countertops. Even just replacing the hardware on the cabinets can make a big difference.
If painting the whole house is outside of your budget at this time, consider putting a fresh coat of paint on just the trim until you can move onto the walls.
Update light fixtures to provide more light and a fresher look, or repair instead of replacing items when you can.
These are all small ways for renovating on a budget and not feel stressed about doing a total overhaul.
3. Become a Do-It-Yourselfer
Most of the improvements to your home can be done yourself, unless of course if you need electrical or plumbing assistance, then it is best to hire a professional.
It is much cheaper to do renovations yourself and these days its really easy to learn the additional skills you may need by watching tutorial videos online or borrowing a do-it-yourself book online. Be sure to take your time and even start with smaller projects to gain a little experience and the confidence to attempt the bigger projects.
4. Take Advantage of Recycled Items
Most towns have a thrift store or recycling center that offers all sorts of items from clothing and furniture to appliances and doors.
Take advantage of your local recycler or thrift store where you can find some really good salvaged materials for a much more reasonable price. You might also find some unique items here that can change the look and feel of your home and make it into something special.
5. If You Don’t Need it, Don’t Buy it
Sometimes when shopping it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and you might blow your budget purchasing something you don’t have to have at that time. Would it be nice to have that rain shower head? Sure! Do you really need it right now? No!
Make a list of all the things that are necessary to your renovation at this time and stick to it, this will help keep you on task and on budget.
Ready to Get Started?
Remodeling an old house on a budget doesn’t have to be a scary thing. Get creative and utilize what you have, and don’t be afraid to tackle the projects yourself. Stick to your goals and you will be loving the results and not the bills.
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