Let’s face it: house renovation projects are notorious for budget blow-outs that spiral out of control! The good news is that this doesn’t have to happen to you: with a good team, homeowners can stand back and see the ‘big picture’ – understanding each area where costs are involved helps to minimize and control overspending. Home renovations and/or extensions are the ideal way to increase the value of your home and create that extra living space, without the hassle and expense of moving to a new house.
The key to a successful home renovation experience is choosing a team that you can trust. So, what are the secrets to reducing house construction costs? This is a common question, and Combit Construction Company, North London decided to share some of their top tips with you here:
Plan, plan, plan.
As the old cliché goes, “a job well planned is a job half done”. Planning and research are essential to avoiding budget blow-outs – if you’re prepared to spend the time finding out exactly what’s involved in your house renovation project, you’ll understand what costs will be incurred at each stage. As they say, forewarned is forearmed: if you understand what’s involved, you won’t be caught out with “hidden” costs. You can also hire residential construction estimators and prepare a budget beforehand at cheap costs.
As your trusted builder, we think it’s only fair to warn our clients that your renovation project is bound to come with some surprises – it happens every time! However, with detailed planning and a can-do attitude, the unpredicted extra costs can be minimized and overcome successfully, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
Avoid Structural Changes Where Possible
You’ll save yourself a pretty penny if you can achieve your renovation within the existing footprint of your home. Some structural changes may be necessary to improve the layout and functionality of your home, but where possible, avoid moving load-bearing walls.
You may wish to consider a loft or garage conversion as an alternative to a full home extension: this is a great way to create that extra living space, study, utility area, or guest bedroom, without having to change the size of the existing structure.
Avoid Moving the Services
Shifting plumbing and electrical works can come with a hefty price tag. To cut construction costs on things like construction site supplies, and to save on time in your renovation, we recommend that you avoid moving the services wherever possible.
If your house renovation project involves a new kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, try and plan the layout of your new space around the existing plumbing. Of course, you can still upgrade tap fittings, etc, just leave them in the same spot to avoid a budget extra cost.
Re-wiring the electrical works of your home can also be expensive. If possible, avoid shifting power points and light fittings: by all means, upgrade them, but leave them where they are.
Level of Finish
This is a bit of a no-brainer: the level of finish you choose will dramatically impact the bottom line of your project. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of your renovation without sacrificing the overall aesthetics of the build. For example:
- Opt for an engineered stone countertop rather than solid granite or marble
- Vinyl flooring instead of solid timber
- Ceramic tiles rather than porcelain
- Standard cabinetry instead of custom-made items
- Standard hardware compared to ornate hardware
Many homeowners choose to keep their costs down on the bulk of renovation, then spend money on specific items that really make a statement: a beautiful cooker, fancy lights, custom cabinetry … whatever it is that really appeals to them.
Re-use Wherever Possible
You can save a considerable amount if you plan to re-use materials wherever possible. For example, a window that must be removed in the process of renovating may be able to be re-used elsewhere, rather than buying a new one. Bricks can be cleaned down and re-used. Think in terms of re-painting and re-purposing cabinetry, doors, and anything else that’s still in reasonably good condition: get your imagination and creative juices flowing and see what you can do!
Think Long Term
When planning your home renovation project, it’s important to think long-term, i.e. don’t be tempted to try and cut costs by opting for cheap and nasty alternatives. Sometimes, it’s actually better to spend a little more upfront and purchase products that are going to last. Consider the warranty terms on appliances, look at reviews and make informed decisions. Think about how your choices will impact on the overall re-sale value of the home.
