For almost a decade in the 1990's, we were entertained by the standup comedy turned TV show starting Tim Allen called Home Improvement. Tim played the stereotypical American male doing all the manly things with his 'tool man' belt, sports cars, and watching sports. Who can forget the funny projects turned bad on the Binford sponsored Tool Time show within a show and the Tool Time girls including Pamela Anderson and Debbie Dunning. All jokes aside, home improvements are a big part of our lives. Often, we make impulse decisions on new projects or additions to the home. I put together my 10 Your Smart Money Moves tips when it comes to saving on the bottom line for your next home improvement project.
- Look for natural light- Surprisingly, cutting a hole in a particular part of the house an installed a quality window or sunlight can be relatively inexpensive and cut down on overall electricity costs.
- Use a 'how to' on You Tube- Even if you aren't a home improvement expert, you may be able to do a small project or install by watching someone else on You Tube.
- Do Your Own Demolition- You must be careful on this one so you don't take down piping or electricity in the house. If you pay attention, you can shave some dollars and cents while also releasing some stress.
- Ask for a GC's resources- General contractors make their living by finding high quality lower cost sub-contractors. If you have a painting job or possibly a bookcase build out, you might be able to go right to the subcontractor and negotiate a person to person deal.
- Borrow The F-150- It really could be any kind of truck with a flatbed, but by moving your own materials like stone, wood, etc., you can cut down on the cost to get the materials to your house.
- Limit Your Rearranging- Moving items like showers, toilets, or sinks that totally change the plumbing system can be very expensive. Only rearrange items that will not soak up your entire budget.
- Bid The Job-It will usually be best to get three bids to make sure you are getting the best deal for the best quality.
- Consider Purchasing Remnants- Some lots that sell a fair amount of stone will have remnants or leftovers for sale. If you don't have a big project, this could be a good way to put a few more bucks back in your pocket.
- Try Refinishing First- You would be surprised that if you get bored with your current rooms, just changing a few small things may make a difference. Change the cabinet knobs, paint color, or add a new slipcover to the couch. These will all be cheaper than buying new.
- Get The Gutters To Work- All of us that own homes know that water is the one damage that drives us crazy. Make sure your gutter system is working correctly because poor drainage or overflow could cause flooding that will cost you money. Moreover, ensuring an adequate gutter supply is paramount. Gutters play an essential role in directing rainwater away from your home's foundation, preventing potential structural and internal water damages. Investing in good-quality gutters can save homeowners significant repair costs in the long run.
These are just 10 of my smart money move tips. What have you done to save money on your home improvements?
Written by:
Ted Jenkin
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