Spend vs Save Home Renovation Edition
Renovations can be expensive; there is just no getting around that. Unfortunately, this is something that leads people to try and save as much money as they can as they renovate their homes. The problem is that cutting costs in some areas can end up being a false economy and end up costing you more money over the long term. Happily, you can find out exactly where to spend and where to save during your renovation in the detailed guide below.
Spend on kitchen cupboards
Due to the nature and expense of fitted kitchens, the cupboards that you choose during your renovation are likely to be with you for a long time. That means it’s worth investing a little more money in this area.
Additionally, the kitchen, and in particular the cabinets that it contains, are something that potential buyers will scrutinise very heavily if you do decide to sell your home. To that end, making sure your kitchen cabinetry is as high quality as possible makes a great deal of sense.
Spend on worktops
The clue is the title here. Worktops are part of your decor that is going to get a lot of use, especially as they tend to be in rooms where water is used, like the bathroom, kitchen, and utility room, and that gets used multiple times a day. With that in mind, investing in some high-quality materials in these spaces is a smart idea, as it will help them stand up to such constant use.
Concerning worktops, this means choosing the most robust materials you can afford. This means it is best to avoid laminate, as it tends to blister and peel when it gets wet over a sustained period. Granite and stone are much better options.
Save on lights
Choosing the right lighting is critically important when renovating your property, so you are probably wondering why I’m suggesting trying to save in the area. You can achieve some excellent results without having to shell out a fortune for designer light fittings.
Indeed, many high street stores that stock homewares have excellent lighting options, with supermarkets like Sainsbury’s even stocking Habitat-designed items. If you want to save a fortune, wait until the new season’s items come in and the sale hits, and you can get some great pieces like lamp bases and shades for a bargain price.
Save on fittings
One thing that can get out of hand very quickly when you are renovating your home is the fittings. I’m talking about the small items like door handles, and cupboard and drawer pulls which you will use multiple times a day, and also have an aesthetic impact on the overall look of your renovation.
The thing to do here is to only end up paying what you need to. To help you with that it’s a good idea to remember that while the price for one may seem OK, you will need multiple items that can add up quickly. Also ordering these types of items online can be a mistake as you’ll have to buy in packs of specific multiples and you may not need that specific amount, and you’ll have to pay for postage.
One of the best approaches is to go for very simple door handles and cupboard pulls and source them from your local trade counter store where you can pick them up in person.
Spend on plumbing
If your renovation includes plumbing work then it’s best to spend rather than trying to save and cut corners on this. That means choosing quality components like these stainless steel compression fittings, as well as getting a professional to fit them for you. Remember, good plumbing may seem expensive at the time but you are protecting yourself and your family from unwanted leaks and floods that could seriously inconvenience you in the future.
Save on painting by DIY
Another smart option is to save when you paint your home during a renovation by doing the work yourself. This is because employing a professional can be incredibly expensive costing thousands of pounds for just a basic repaint.
Of course, you’ll need to fully know what you are letting yourself in for before you sign up to paint your home. With that in mind, remember that there may be work to be done to get your walls, ceilings, skirting boards and even floorings into the right condition to paint including tripping off old wallpaper and layers of paint, moving furniture and sanding walls and surfaces to ensure a high-quality finish. The good news is there are pieces of equipment you can use to make this type of task easier such as a heat gun or steamer.
Spend on woodworking by getting a professional to do it
While painting your own walls may be well within your abilities most of us don’t have the cabinetry skills needed to complete furniture or fitting woodworking tasks. That is why it’s best to get a professional to do this for you.
Yes, it will be more expensive than buying a few planks at your local DIY store and having a go yourself, but a professional will have the experience and equipment needed to ensure a good result that will not only look great in your home but last over the long term as well.
Save on soft furnishings
Soft furnishings like curtains, rugs, cushions, and throws used to be something that was incredibly expensive to buy. However, since budget stores like Primkar and George at Asda came into the mix, you can replace an entire room’s soft furnishings and transform its look for a very reasonable price. In particular, be sure to look out for bedding sets in bold patterns with matching throw pillows for under £20 each!
Spend on flooring
Last of all, when it comes to spending over saving, it just makes sense to pay out for durable and good-quality flooring. This is because it’s an aspect of your home that you will use and see every day, yet it’s hard to change it quickly. To that end, making sure you pick a floor that not only looks great but also stands up to the daily wear and tear it will receive is the best approach.
With that in mind, choosing a hardwood floor is a good idea, as these are the most robust. However, if you would rather go with carpet picking, one that is designed to be easily washed can help to keep it looking as good as new for the longest amount of time.
*This is a collaborative post
