Homeowners

Budget-Savvy Remodels: 6 Tips on How to Renovate Your Home for Less

Home renovations are rarely just about aesthetics. They’re about solving a problem—sometimes many at once—while trying to hold the line on cost.

And in today’s housing climate, where affordability is top of mind, homeowners are rethinking how they approach remodels altogether.

The new rule? Make every dollar count.

Homeowners considering larger projects may want to consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or a cash-out refinance. HELOCs allow homeowners to tap into their home equity, using only what they need. Cash-out refinances are when homeowners take out a larger mortgage than they owe so they can use the difference to fund home improvements or other needs.

From choosing when to start demolition to knowing which upgrades deliver high style at half the price, today’s savviest renovators are trading excess for efficiency. Here are the top tips from designers and builders who specialize in cost-conscious upgrades to help you save—and keep your project on track.

Plan your renovation and order materials early

The first thing homeowners should do is have a clear design plan in mind. This way you can get bids from contractors and nail down your bottom line.

“My number one tip for renovating on a budget is this: do the legwork up front,” said interior designer Christina Kelley in San Diego, Calif.

Beyond construction, select your finishes, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and lighting. Pricing things out ahead of time gives you time to pivot—maybe you swap marble tile for something more cost-effective that still looks beautiful.

Once your design and budget are set, order everything before demolition begins.

“Too often, demo starts before a single selection is made—leading to surprise costs and rushed choices,” said Kelley. “Delays waiting on materials mid-project is one of the most expensive (and avoidable) mistakes.”

And in general, stick to standard sizes where you can.

“Avoid custom, when possible,” added Kelley. “Things like standard vanities, doors, and tubs save money and time.”

Go for bargain materials for your home remodel

If your design choices are flexible, you can also save by using salvaged materials.

“I check out Habitat for Humanity ReStores and local salvage shops,” said Todd Stephenson, co-founder of Roof Quotes. “I’ve found solid materials for a fraction of what you’d pay retail.”

Indeed, local surplus supply stores usually have name-brand materials at heavy discounts. These stores often get contractor overstock and donations from remodels, so you can find everything from flooring or tile for less than the retail price.

Another resource is Facebook Marketplace.

“You’ll find people unloading gently used vanities, lighting, and even full kitchen sets during their own renovations,” added Johannes Hock, President of Artificial Grass Pros.

Savings on materials adds up when you’re trying to get the most value out of every dollar you put into your home.

Resist changing a home’s layout during a renovation

You may be tempted to relocate your kitchen or bathroom to another part of the home, but that can be a major expense.

“Moving or adding plumbing lines can really add up and I always advise reducing the length of piping as much as possible,” said Julia Atkins co-founder at Nested Home Plans in Seattle, Wash. “Cluster all of the plumbing to one shared wall, if possible.”

Sticking to a home’s original layout not only saves on material, but labor as well. The same principle goes for moving outlets and lighting fixtures.

“Moving electrical drains the budget fast,” added Stephenson.

DIY what you (safely) can

Home renovations usually require skilled labor, but some jobs that lend themselves to do-it-yourself can save you big bucks.

“The DIY route is obviously a better fit for handy people, but even a beginner can do a decent job doing basic demolition work, or even laying tile with a little practice,” said Bar Zakheim, CEO of Better Place Design & Build in San Diego, Calif.

For those who aren’t comfortable using a sledgehammer, painting is something many people can do.

“Paint goes a long way,” said Atkins of Nested Home Plans. “Adding an accent wall with a bold paint color can define a space easily and inexpensively compared to a built, architectural element.”

Hack your kitchen cabinets

One of the biggest ticket items in a renovation project is usually cabinetry.

“It is no secret that using budget-friendly cabinets like Ikea can save hundreds of dollars,” said Atkins. “They’ve got good bones but at face value can look generic. So, the challenge is how to make use of Ikea cabinets without sacrificing design.”

Atkins suggests using companies that fabricate cabinet faces that seamlessly integrate with Ikea cabinet boxes as a solution..

“This gives you a beautiful, high-quality cabinet face, paired with an inexpensive box,” said Atkins. “One of my clients told me about this hack and now I recommend it to everyone renovating on a budget.”

Timing matters when you’re remodeling your home

If your renovation needs aren’t pressing, see if you can avoid renovating during a peak season, which tends to run May through July.

“Just like for anything else you may pay for, prices of renovation projects tend to increase when demand is higher,” said Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana Pools.

Look to winter for the best prices. And if you are flexible with when your renovation can take you place, you may get lucky.

“Contractors sometimes have gaps in their schedule and are open to cutting a deal just to keep moving,” said Stephenson of Roof Quotes.