The last three years have seen noticeable price hikes for home remodeling projects. According to the chief economist at HomeAdvisor, Mischa Fisher, the average cost has ballooned from $9,000 all the way up to $13,000.
There are multiple reasons for this unwelcome hike. We’re seeing issues with supply chains driving up prices of materials. Demand for labor is such that many have to wait months for decorators, builders, and other renovation professionals to have a spot in their schedule.
For the average family, it’s just not doable. But don’t worry, there are several small changes you can make that will make a big difference to your home. And with most of these, you won’t need to shell out more than a few hundred bucks.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the room we spend most of our time in. It deserves proper attention:
· All About the Details
Small details can change everything. For example, change out your old cabinet hardware. It’s super easy to do, and can totally change the look of your kitchen. It’s also very inexpensive, generally speaking. Just make sure you get that screw alignment right!
You can also change the tapware of your sink faucet, for example. You won’t need to replace the whole vanity (which is expensive!). All you need to do is pick high-quality tapware, and it will do all the heavy lifting, aesthetically speaking.
· DIY Refurbishment
If one of your appliances looks like it’s about to go, consider the refurbishment route before sending it to the landfill. Companies are becoming increasingly eco-friendly when it comes to this, which means parts are more readily available and modern kitchen appliances are built with refurbishment in mind.
Bathroom
The bathroom is generally second on the list for most expensive renovation projects. All the more reason to implement small changes and save while you do it:
· Go for Cheap Lookalikes
You want your bathroom to look like that 5-star hotel you once visited, but can’t exactly afford wood plank flooring. But don’t worry, low-budget secondary options are now just as good as the ‘real thing’.
For instance, luxury vinyl flooring can fool you at first glance. Most people won’t even notice. And considering the room will be getting plenty wet, it’s actually a superior practical solution.
· Repair, Don’t Remove
As per the refurbishment point we made for the kitchen, it’s best to try and repair existing elements, rather than go for replacement. We’ve been taught to live in a never-ending landfill world, but things are changing. That’s good for the low-budget crowd, as there are an increasing amount of options to repair.
For example, bathtub and shower refinishing can make these look just as new. Yellowed surfaces, no problem. Even cracks and little nicks can be fixed without a problem. You can use products like Super Glue White Porcelain Repair, for example, as a miracle do-it-all for your bathroom.
Generalist Small Changes
Now to our final entries on the list. These changes can be made throughout the house, or in whichever room needs it most. Quick and dirty, or top to bottom, it doesn’t matter. You won’t need to take out a loan to make these happen:
· Paint Job
The easiest DIY skill you can master is painting. Professional painters are probably good bets for the exterior of the house, but if you want to give the inside a fresh injection of life, grab a brush or roller.
It’s a fantastic way to turn an ugly room into something more palatable until you have more funds to renovate. For some, it won’t even be necessary. Paint can be that effective to a room’s aesthetic.
· Lighting is Everything
Lighting is one of the most important aesthetic elements you can use. Just think about how restaurants and bars spend a huge amount of effort to ensure the lighting is perfect. Or how candles can suddenly give a room a warm and romantic atmosphere. And conversely, why that super bright artificial light can just ruin the vibe no matter where you are.
· Give Wood Floors an Upgrade
This one will only work if you have wood flooring in your house (erm, duh!), but if you do, it can work wonders. It’s one of the best bang-for-buck upgrades you can make to your house. All you need to do is refinish that old and tired wood flooring to give it a modern feel. Easy.
Final Tip: Don’t Do It All!
The biggest mistake you can make as a would-be DIY expert is to think you can do it all yourself. The best DIYers know exactly what they can and can’t handle. It’s a skill in and of itself.
This warning isn’t just to save you time, but also a bunch of money. According to Realtor.com, for example, exterior paint mistakes cost 1.1 hours and $447. Flooring installation fails? 13.8 hours and $829. And the list goes on. The lesson here is: stick to what’s within your limits, and call the experts for the rest.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
