Home Sweet Home: How to Reduce Remodeling Costs
Remodeling – especially when you do your homework and choose smart, realistic projects – can give your home a fresh new look and feel, can add value when it comes time to sell and can help you feel at “home” in your house.
The challenge is that home remodeling projects can be a major investment. For example, major upgrades, such as a bathroom remodel or a family-room addition, tend to run $100 to $200 per square foot, according to recent statistics.
So whether you’re bored with your abode or want to increase its value with various upgrades or improvements, how can you shoot for the moon, but also keep costs down?
One way to ensure your home dreams become a reality is through the work of a professional home remodeler.
Once you’ve hired your designer and/or contractor, together, you must determine a project estimate based upon precise specifications. Don’t forget to expect the unexpected and always pad your budget. Why? There are a number of reasons, such as increased material costs, or maybe you decide you want to rethink your design after the project has been started. And always add at least 10 percent to the estimated cost of your project so you have enough money to cover unexpected expenses.
Finally, after reviewing the specs – which should illustrate all of the materials and labor that will go into your project – then you can start discussing what can be done to tweak or reduce your costs.
Before You Begin
Ask yourself if you are truly ready to remodel. For example, is your bathroom falling apart? Is your toilet leaking? Does your bathtub have so chips you can barely look at it anymore? Do you have money in the bank so that you can afford to get a new kitchen or master bath? Or, maybe you are just fed up with your home appearing the way it does and are ready for something fresh and new.
Know What You Want
When it comes to home remodeling, some people know exactly what they want. And by working toward a goal, you can focus on your priorities, know exactly what you need and know what you can actually afford. Along the way, of course, you can adjust the budget, perhaps by choosing alternative materials that are more wallet-friendly. Examples include making the project smaller by trimming that bathroom addition from 100 square feet to 80 square feet or by purchasing a more affordable range of appliances or kitchen fixtures.
Understand Your Budget
It’s close to impossible to plan a renovation project without having a budget, especially because you simply don’t know what you are going to get otherwise. However, knowing your exact budget – and sticking to it – is key in any home remodeling project.
Discuss Your Budget with Your Contractor
Share your budget with your designer or contractor from the very start. Do this ahead of time, and hopefully your contractor or professional designer is familiar with all of the costs involved. It’s important to hire someone in your area who has professional industry contacts – people who can perhaps get things for trade prices – and who thoroughly knows the market.
The number one remodeling challenge for most homeowners is the affordability factor of whatever project they’re working on. But that’s no reason to give up completely. Republic West Remodeling is here to help, and we constantly strive to keep home remodeling costs down for our clients, yet leave you fulfilled with the best Phoenix home remodeling project possible.