Even with a budget, the cost of renovating your home can spiral out of control quickly. You will find yourself buying things you had not planned for or over the budget. It is even frustrating when you tell people about your home upgrades, and they inform you that they got certain items or services at lower prices. Here are a few tips on how to save money on home upgrades.
Rent Equipment to Work With
Even with a garage full of tools and equipment for home renovations, there are some construction tools that you may not have. Purchasing some items can be a smart move if you plan to use them from time to time. However, there are several types of equipment that you may only use once; hence, renting is a more practical solution. If you are doing a one-time renovation project, buying the equipment for it is impractical. An example is pouring the foundation. This is something that you will only do once, plus the equipment used might be expensive. You should also rent equipment than buy if they require servicing from time to time to remain efficient.
Motor-powered equipment like generators requires a tank of fuel and oil change. When you rent such equipment, it is the rental company that undertakes the burden of service, setup, and maintenance. Some equipment is too big, and if you do not have the storage space for it, rent them out. In the end, equipment rentals will bring down the cost of home upgrades, and you can use that money on something else.
Have Your Roof Inspected
Another way on how to save money on home upgrades is by having your roof inspected. Maybe you have noticed a leak or missing shingles on your roof. Instead of rushing to have the whole roof replaced, first get a roofing contractor to inspect it. They will see its condition and tell you whether it needs replacement or repair. On top of that, they will give you the cost estimate of roof replacement vs. repairing. Most likely, repairing is cheaper. Another advantage of having your roof inspected is that roofers are thorough. They will check beneath the shingles if there has been mold or water damage and advise on the next best step. A good roofer will give you an estimate on how long it will take for your roof to be repaired and the chances of you needing to reroof your house in the future.
Make Small Repairs Yourself
Not all renovations have to be done by a professional; some of the repairs you can manage yourself. This is one of the most effective ways on how to save money on home upgrades. It is also an ideal time to put those DIY skills to use. Something like painting the walls is not that hard, and it can save you a lot of money. Get some few friends or relatives to help you if possible.
With the right fence supplies, you can also repair your fence using an online tutorial. You are probably paying contractors by the hour, and the less time they spend at your house, the less you will pay them. Prep a place by cleaning it up or preparing surfaces such as scraping mastic off the floor. However, know your limits of what you cannot do. A licensed person can only perform electrical work or moving utility lines. If you want to tear down walls or install load-bearing beams, get a permit to not get into trouble.
Keep Up with HVAC Maintenance
Another way on how to save money on home upgrades is by maintaining your HVAC system from time to time. Some tips on home air conditioning maintenance include:
- Inspecting the air filters for dirt and clogs and replacing them every 30 to 90 days. If your household has more people or your pets, you will often change the filters.
- Clean the vents as often as possible. Dust and dirt from your home can build up, obstruct airflow, and reduce the HVAC system’s efficiency.
- Your outside unit needs cleaning just as much. If there are any twigs, leaves, and debris, remove them. Also, any plants and shrubs that have grown around the unit should be cut to at least three feet.
- Schedule annual maintenance from an HVAC technician. This ensures that your air conditioner is operating efficiently, and they can also detect damages earlier before they get out of hand.
Repair Small Pavement Cracks ASAP
You can save money on home upgrades in the long run by simply repairing small pavement cracks immediately they appear. Small cracks will increase and extend to an entire length on your driveway or become wide if not fixed immediately. Not only are you likely to trip and fall, but you may have to replace your driveway entirely. This becomes a new project of replacing your driveway, which is costly. If you call paving contractors immediately after the cracks appear, you can avoid bigger problems and extend the lifespan of your driveway. A well-maintained pavement increases your home’s curb appeal and is also one of the ways on how to save money on home upgrades.
Take Steps to Prevent Pest Problems
You will want to prevent pests from getting inside your home by dealing with the problem before it starts. A pest control company can help you deal with them when they have invaded your home, but you can also put preventive measures to avoid dealing with pests in the first place.
Start by sealing all cracks and crevices on the windows, siding, door frames, and brick interiors. Those spaces are what pests use to get inside your home. It is common to find gaps and holes on the
walls due to plumbing and wiring; seal them too. It is also important to empty the trash as often as possible. Cockroaches and ants get attracted to bins for scraps of food. You can make your home pest-free by cleaning up household clutter. Pests tend to hide and breed in any clutter around your house. Make a habit of dusting and vacuuming the house regularly to reduce pests’ chances of settling in your home. Pests also use your pets as a breeding ground, hence the need to clean them periodically and take them to the vet for flea and tick treatments. The most effective way to prevent pests is by practicing proper hygiene.
Look for Deals on Necessary Home Purchases
There are periods where you will find items on sale. It can be around major holidays or when a store is celebrating occasions like its anniversary. This is one of the ways on how to save money on home upgrades. During such periods some stores slash their prices and you can find an appliance sale easily. You should research local stores near selling items at a discount before making any purchases. Some apps let you track changes in prices. When the price for certain items drops, you get an alert on your phone. You can also get a good deal if you know how to negotiate. Remember to compare prices for the same item from different stores to see which one has lower prices.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
This is also another way on how you to save money on home upgrades. Occasionally, you can prevent damages like a cracked wall foundation and basement leaks by cleaning your gutter and downspouts. Leaves and dirt can accumulate in your gutter, clogging it, especially during fall. Get a ladder and cleaning supplies for cleaning your gutter. When your gutter is all clean, you can see any damages that need repair. Do not ignore them, as they will escalate as you continue using them, eventually costing you a lot of money. Clean the downspouts, too, and fix any repairs. If both the gutter and the downspout have been detached from the roof and the house siding, reattach them. When you properly maintain your gutters, you will not be calling a gutter service company any time soon to repair them.
Don’t Skip Plumbing Maintenance Checks
You can save money by properly maintaining your home plumbing system from time to time. If you want to have an easy time with your drainage system, here are a few maintenance tips you can use:
- Be careful with what you allow down your drain system and clear any clogs immediately you spot them to avoid a blockage.
- Every time you dispose of something, run cold water for about 15 seconds.
- Check under the sink for leaks or moisture and inspect the pipes for corrosion.
- Check whether water from the sink or shower is taking longer to drain completely.
- Occasionally clean the lint traps of your washing machine.
- During the cold season, shut off the valves, and disconnect hoses then insulate the pipes.
- During warm weather, monitors all appliances with a drainage system and check for leaks. Do not forget to clean the sprinkler heads.
- Schedule occasional inspections from a plumber to check your system.
You can also maintain your plumbing system through water treatment and purification. High amounts of minerals like magnesium and calcium in your water easily affect your plumbing system’s efficiency. They tend to build up, clogging the pipes. Water treatment will soften your water, preventing the pipes from getting clogged.
Be Smart About Hiring Help
While looking at how to save money on home upgrades, consider being smart about the help you hire. You will need someone who will do a good job to avoid spending more money on repeating some upgrades. Research on a few contractors before narrowing down. Rather than looking for general contractors, find one that is specialized in a specific area. If it is the roof that needs repair, then get a roofing contractor. Online reviews are also a great source of information on what people say about the contractors you have chosen. Recommendation from relatives and friends comes in handy too when looking for someone reliable. Hiring a friend of a friend can be tricky unless you have heard of them or know someone who has used their services before and gotten satisfied. Even friends and family who are contractors might not give you satisfactory results, which can strain your relationship. Something else to factor in is the season.
Most people do home renovations before summer or after holidays. You will find professionals are busy and uninterested in small projects during that period. They might also take the job but give you bad results as they are handling multiple clients at the same time. If you wait for the off-season, you might get your work done at a lower price.
Sell Items You Don’t Need
Some home upgrades come with replacing an item. Maybe you no longer want your ceiling lights, or you are upgrading to energy-efficient tools to save on bills. Consider selling those items. Kitchen cabinets, doors, appliances, and gadgets may interest someone else. There are also several online sites where you can post items for selling that you no longer need. Be honest about the conditions they are in and price them reasonably. You can top that money and get a more upgraded item.
Stay on Budget
Another way on how to save money on home upgrades is staying on budget. Start by making a budget for every upgrade you will be doing. Put aside the amount of money you can comfortably spend and add a certain amount for emergencies. Almost all the time, there will be an emergency. Organize how you will be spending the money by writing down all expenditures and keeping your receipts. You will also need to be accountable for everything. If you find your budget depleting and cannot account for where the money went, you will get easily frustrated.
As you plan on how to save money on home upgrades, note that if most things are properly maintained, they can save you a ton of money in the end. As much as home upgrades can be exciting, it can also be a trying time budget-wise. To avoid any anxiety and frustration, make a plan from the start and try to stick to it as much as possible.