5 Ways to Save Money on Home Improvement
Today more than ever, saving money seems to be a top priority whether you’re buying a home or improving the home you already have. If your general finances are in a slump, it’s really important to ensure you’re only spending money on what you need, rather than on what you want.
This is especially true when it comes to making home improvements, some of which need addressed right away and some that can wait until a more convenient time. Either way, it’s always ideal to save as much money as possible in order to get the most bang for your buck. Here are 5 helpful tips on how to stretch your home improvement funds as far as they’ll go.
1. Upgrade to new Energy Star appliances
Occasionally, waiting to make certain home improvements until you have a bit more available cash is okay. However, if your appliances are old and worn, they’re literally draining your wallet since they’re wasting energy day after day and racking up your monthly utility bills. Switch out the old ones to energy-efficient compliant Energy Star appliances to save money, energy, water, and time.
2. Shop for project materials yourself
Don’t simply leave it up to your contractor to shop for all your materials. If possible, shop for them yourself. If you wait for the contractor to shop for the materials, the chances of you being charged for his or her expenses will go up. It also goes without saying that it will be more money out of your bank account. There are many ways in which you can find the equipment and materials that you will need. You can surf online to find great deals and negotiate with local retailers to get the best price. Also, consider buying reclaimed or recycled materials whenever possible. You can also go to your local hardware or home improvement store for their recycled materials.
3. DIY: Use your own tools and machinery
Homeowners today are doing more DIY home improvement projects than ever. Consider using your own tools and machinery in areas where you’re confident instead of paying a contractor to use theirs. You can get your own tools and machinery through local home improvement stores or places like Machinery Masters Corp LLC.
4. Check rebates
Don’t overlook any manufacturer’s rebates. Quite often, many home improvement projects can mean big savings in the form of rebates, especially if they relate to energy-efficiency improvements. You especially want to take advantage of these deals when they come up as most home improvement projects can be very expensive. You could use that extra money to either save for another project or invest it in more equipment and materials for your current one. After all, it never hurts to have more than enough material just in case you find that you underestimated the amount you needed for the project.
5. Think ahead, negotiate, and plan
Whether you’re working on a big or small home improvement, collect as much information as possible regarding your particular project so you can save money. Talk to various contractors and compare each of their quotes and ask them where the best deals are in your area. Look over the contract and try to negotiate the best deal possible. However, you should really only consider using a contractor when you can’t do the job yourself or if you don’t have the time. If you can do the project yourself, you will save mass amounts of money and you can work on the project on your own time.
By establishing your priorities first and deciding which projects to do now and which ones to do later, overall you’ll save a great deal of money. Creativity and identifying what’s most important to you will eventually pay off.
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Category: Home Improvements
