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If you are planning for your dream renovation project, you can start thinking of creative ways to work within your budget. When it comes to renovation, your biggest concern is to not exceed the budget. To avoid this, always add an extra 20% buffer to prepare you for surprises and last minute modifications. If you want to save some money, one of the best ways is to be flexible in your design. Here are some tips to help save you money on renovation projects.

1. Plan ahead

Good planning will save you both time and money along the way. You should have an idea of the kind of fixtures and appliances that you want to get and how much would they cost. List down the areas of your home that you want to re-model and have a rough sketch of how you want them to look like. If you are unsure, you can consult with your interior designer or contractor. They will then make suggestions to translate your idea on paper. Good designers or contractors will give you insight on the best brands or models to use. Some will even have discounts.

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(source: cityofwoodvillage)

2. Go natural

Instead of having framed windows in your home or recessed light fixtures that will cost more, consider going natural by installing solar tubes which slip through the roof and have direct sunshine down to your room. It is a great way for more light exposure and they are less expensive too! Another tip is to place mirrors opposite windows, to reflect natural light and make it seem like you have more windows in your home.

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(source: orionconstructioncorps)

3. Avoid moving a kitchen sink or bathroom

If possible, avoid moving gas, plumbing and drain lines as it is very costly. If you really need to move the kitchen sink or toilet area, use this opportunity to upgrade the pipes as well, saving you money in the long run.

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(source: captainec)

4. Get recycled items / ask for your contractor’s sources

Look for stores that carry discontinued or overstock items or closing stores to source for materials. These items usually go for cheaper. This means that you need to be flexible with your design, and it also challenges your creativity as to how you can re-model your house using the items you have found. For things like flooring, consider asking your contractors if they have stock left over from their previous jobs. You will be amazed at how much money you can save from using leftover items!

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(source: kingsburrypallets)

5. Don’t renovate during peak season       

The timing of the renovation can also determine the total cost. If your renovation can wait, schedule your renovation during off-peak seasons, usually after the New Year or after festivities like Chinese New Year to avoid the extra cost. Talk to your contractor on when is the best timing to do the job. If you really want to save some money, it is advisable to avoid doing renovations during September or during holiday seasons.

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(source: planiconseil)

6. DIY / Make your sweat count

If you don’t mind getting down and dirtying your hands, you can DIY things such as painting or cleaning up of the renovation mess. This will save you on labor costs and speed up the renovation project. Bear in mind, this depends on how handy you are and how much time you can put in. Also, some things are better done by experts. Tasks such as floorings and cabinets will be expensive to fix if it is not done properly the first time around.

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(source: donsmiths)

Can you share some other tips for saving your money when re-modelling your house?
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wow ... a lots of important information shared. Thank you KaoDim.
Really appreciated. Well done to you.

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Nice one!.... Just when I'm really close to having to renovate (slightly, don't get excited) my new condo in a few months!

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Hello @johnshen831 and @Gary_L33 we are glad that you found our article helpful :) you can check out our blog bengkel.kaodim.com for more articles like this! ;)

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Buying all the materials and just pay for the workmanship will save you a lot of money.
You can shop around for the best deal, your contractor will not do this for u. There is also no chance for the contractor to mark-up on all the materials cost and charge u higher price.

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@ppnnkk2011 thanks for the tip! I absolutely agree. we think finding the right contractor is also crucial for the house re-modelling project to go smoothly!

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Good article! Was actually considering some DIY work but had second thoughts as to how creative i could be! The cleaning up of a renovation mess is extremely tedious work but hey, if it saves me a couple of extra bucks then why not huh..Thanks @kaodim! =D

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thanks @andrea ! yes, it will definitely save you a couple of bucks! You can find tons of DIY inspirations online - but this depends on how much time you have allocated to be involved with the project. Sometimes we end of scrolling for hours for inspirations because everything is just so nice and we could end up being confused lol