A remodel is most likely to become one of the most expensive home projects you’ll ever undertake, with many people running over their original budget. There are ways, however, to avoid overspending during a remodel, with careful forward planning and know-how.
Whether you are renovating your home completely, adding an extension or updating your exterior, it’s important to remain realistic while budgeting. Read this guide on how to avoid overspending unnecessarily for advice on everything from hiring an architect to choosing new fixtures and fittings for your new kitchen or bathroom.
avoid overspending during a remodel
Plan your big picture in good time
The more decisions you make up front, during the design phase, the smoother the project will run. It’s usually the extras for doing work that was unexpected and that comes up during the actual remodeling that causes cost overruns. To avoid these overruns, we suggest drawing up a detailed plan, either on your own or by hiring an architect, before you start any construction or demolition.
The more you can specify up front, the better off you’ll be financially. To avoid surprises, get as detailed as you can during the planning phase. For example, when planning a bathroom remodel, include the appliances, sinks, faucets, countertops, base cabinets, upper cabinets, light fixtures, backsplash tile … The more detail you can include up front, the fewer surprises and unexpected expenses you’re likely to face.
What may seem like small choices can come with big consequences for your contractor. The shower faucet choice, for example, will affect which valve needs to go in the wall. The type of flooring will affect the type of subfloor. These details aren’t intuitive for many homeowners, but a quick internet search can yield a detailed checklist for just about any project to help you avoid overspending during a remodel.
Don’t make the rooms bigger than they need to be
There’s a trend now to make rooms bigger, but they needn’t be—after all, kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive to build. Opt for functionality over size. A nice touch in a shared bathroom is a separate room for the toilet. It can be pretty small, but include a window if you can, and if not, add an exhaust fan.
Use existing plumbing locations, if possible
In the UK and Canada, plumbing is outside of the building, but in the US it’s in the walls, so changing it requires much more work. (Many houses have a crawl space or a basement, which makes plumbing and wiring more accessible. Using the existing plumbing will help you save on your remodel in Boston
Shop around for an affordable Contractor
Even if you’re an avid DIYer, you’ll eventually need a job that’s just too big or complex to tackle by yourself. That’s when you hire a contractor. But how do you know you’re getting the best deal in Boston?
Well, first, make sure you follow all the time-honored advice like asking friends and family to recommend a contractor, making sure you hire someone you’re comfortable with, and verifying that the contractor has been in business for a while and has liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Interview at least three contractors so you can compare the bids. When you meet with them to discuss the job, you should ask if there are any rooms for a bargain to be confident that you’re getting the most for your Boston countertops and cabinetry.
avoid overspending during a remodel
Forget overpriced cabinets in Boston
Renovating a bathroom? Then you can expect to spend thousands of dollars on Bathroom countertops in Boston and cabinetry. Installing new cabinets in a bathroom usually eats up a giant portion of the budget – but it doesn’t have to.
Some ideas to avoid overspending during a remodel include refurbishing the existing cabinets, skipping upper cabinets and installing open shelving instead, and checking out discount retailers for cheaper options. Blending high priced and low priced finds can look cohesive if you know how to do it.
New View Marble and Granite has consultants on site who can help you with planning and the execution of your remodel in Boston. We will help you get the best price for cabinets and countertops. Contact us today to get started.
