Repairing rather than replacing damaged elements in your home can lead to substantial savings. This approach preserves original features and reduces waste and labor costs. When considering your renovation, always evaluate if repair is viable before committing to a total replacement. With a few of the tips below, you can tackle your next home improvement project while controlling costs.
Repair Rather Than Replace on a Remodel
In the East Boston project house featured on This Old House, the stucco siding was in dire condition due to harsh winters and invasive ivy. Instead of a complete replacement costing $50,000*, the team opted for strategic repairs. The process involved removing the ivy, patching the worst sections with new stucco over the wire lath, and filling the remaining cracks with caulk. They then cleaned the surface using grinders with wire wheels, primed it, and coated it with an elastomeric paint. This comprehensive repair approach cost only $10,000, resulting in a remarkable $40,000 savings.
Other examples include fixing a leaky faucet instead of replacing the whole unit or refinishing hardwood floors rather than installing new flooring.
*Unless otherwise noted, costs in this article reflect an average of prices that our team found from hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot, and on Amazon.com.
Roll Up Your Sleeves for the Remodel
Taking on some of the work can lead to significant savings in your remodel. Do-it-yourself projects reduce labor costs and give you a sense of pride and accomplishment in your home improvement efforts. In the East Boston project, the homeowners Chris and Liz demonstrated this by tackling the restoration of the original front doors themselves.
The doors, stored in the basement for decades, were in poor condition. However, instead of purchasing new doors for $2,000*, Chris and Liz stripped the original finish. Then, with the help of professionals, the doors were reglued, patched with epoxy where needed, and fitted with new tempered and insulating glass.
The total cost for materials was only $480, resulting in a savings of $1,520. This project showcases how a combination of do-it-yourself effort and professional assistance can breathe new life into original features at a fraction of the replacement cost. To boost your budget, consider taking on simple projects such as painting walls, installing light fixtures, or assembling furniture.
*Unless otherwise noted, costs in this article reflect an average of prices that our team found from hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot, and on Amazon.com.
Limit Demolition When Remodeling
Strategic demolition can save time and money during a renovation. In the East Boston project, while the entire house needed new wiring and insulation, the team made a smart decision regarding the first-floor ceilings. Instead of completely removing the plaster and lath, they only removed the cracked plaster ceilings to access the necessary updates.
By leaving the original wood lath in place and then wall boarding over it, they saved on labor costs associated with debris sorting, clean-up, and nail removal from the joists. This approach also reduced dumping fees. The selective demolition resulted in a $600 savings. This method demonstrates that sometimes less destruction can lead to more cost-effectiveness in a renovation project.
Moreover, limited demolition minimizes disruption to the home, allowing you to maintain a more livable space during the remodel.
Creative Problem-Solving During the Remodel
Creative problem-solving can turn potential expenses into opportunities for savings. In the East Boston project, when they removed the walls to enlarge the kitchens in both apartments, the team faced the challenge of mismatched flooring. Instead of opting for expensive new flooring or labor-intensive patching, they devised an innovative solution.
In one kitchen, they cut the flooring at an angle to echo a corner cabinet and relaid boards on a diagonal. In the other, they uniformly relaid boards that originally turned in the wrong direction. This approach saved approximately $16,000 compared to replacing the floors with equivalent reclaimed heart pine.
The additional cost was two and a half hours of labor to remove and reposition the existing boards carefully. This strategy showcases how thinking outside the box can yield substantial savings without compromising aesthetics or quality. When faced with a similar dilemma, consider how to repurpose existing materials creatively to solve remodeling challenges.
Use Luxuries Selectively When Remodeling
Incorporating high-end materials strategically can add a touch of luxury without breaking the bank. In Liz’s kitchen renovation, instead of installing a glass-tile backsplash throughout the entire kitchen for $1,500, they focused on the most important area—above the stove. By tiling only this 2-by-3-foot space, they achieved the desired effect for just $250, saving $1,250.
Using luxurious materials in small, high-impact areas allows homeowners to enjoy premium finishes while decreasing overall costs. Consider applying this strategy to other areas of your home. For example, use high-end hardware on kitchen cabinets or install a small section of designer wallpaper as an accent wall.
It’s also wise to invest in quality finishes in frequently used or easily noticed areas, such as a statement light fixture in the dining room or luxurious tiles in a powder room.
Adjust to Your Remodeling Circumstances
Adapting to existing conditions rather than making extensive changes can lead to significant savings. In the East Boston project, the team faced a challenge with windows in the first- and second-floor bathroom shower areas. While not ideal, removing these windows and closing the walls would cost $800 per window.
Instead of this costly option, they created an all-weather protection for the existing wood sash. They painted the windows with exterior latex paint and used waterproof PVC for the window trim. This solution costs the same as wood trim but provides better protection against moisture.
Working with the existing layout and focusing on weatherproofing saved $1,600 while guaranteeing the bathrooms remained functional and protected from the elements. Making adjustments to present layouts can help in other areas of your remodel.
Add Detail With Paint During a Remodel
Paint is a powerful and cost-effective tool for transforming spaces and adding architectural interest. In the formal dining room, the walls’ existing top rails and battens feature a dark stain finish that didn’t highlight their potential. Instead of installing expensive wood or MDF paneling, which could have cost up to $4,000, they used a clever painting technique.
The moldings are white, while the spaces between them boast a coordinating warm beige, different from the pale blue field above the rail. This created the illusion of actual paneling at a fraction of the cost. The paint job cost only $700, resulting in a savings of $3,300. This approach demonstrates how the strategic use of color and paint can dramatically change the look of a room without the need for costly structural changes.
Additionally, consider using paint to create visual interest, such as color blocking, geometric patterns, or a faux wallpaper effect.
Stick With Stock Items During a Remodel
Opting for stock items instead of custom pieces can lead to substantial savings in kitchen renovations. The team achieved a charming seaside-cottage look in the kitchen using off-the-shelf components rather than expensive custom cabinetry and appliances. Stock white cabinets, beadboard doors, and white appliances created a cohesive, stylish look.
To add custom-looking details without the custom price tag, the team used stock cabinet doors to create panels for the side of the refrigerator and the island. This clever use of readily available materials achieved a high-end look at a fraction of the cost, saving $1,025. When planning your kitchen remodel, consider how stock items can help you achieve your desired look without the premium price of custom work.
Selecting standard off-the-shelf options, which are often available immediately, can help create a timely renovation process.
Be Open to Open Shelves and Doors During Remodel
Embracing open concepts in storage areas can lead to cost savings and a more spacious feel. A small, doorless room that previously housed the refrigerator was transformed into an efficient food pantry in this renovation. By lining the space with open shelving and forgoing lower cabinets, they saved $1,000.
Additionally, they decided not to install a pantry entry door, saving another $350. To make sure the visible alcove blended seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen, they lined the walls with beadboard. This approach not only saved $1,350 but also created a more open and accessible storage space.
Consider where to implement open shelving or doorless entryways in your remodel to achieve similar savings and spatial benefits. Open shelving can also be a great way to display beautiful dishware or kitchen essentials, adding function and a personal touch to your space.
Renovate While Reusing Existing Materials
Repurposing existing elements of your home can lead to significant savings and add unique character to your remodel. In the East Boston project, a built-in china cabinet lost its original location due to the kitchen expansion. Rather than discarding this attractive feature, the team repurposed it as a linen closet in the third-floor laundry area.
The team moved the leaded-glass cabinet front and added sides and a back to create a functional storage piece. This creative reuse costs only $200 in labor, compared to the $3,700 for new cabinet doors and drawers with similar detailing. By thinking creatively about how to repurpose existing elements, you can save money and preserve the character of your home during a renovation.
Our Conclusion
Remodeling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or style. You can achieve significant savings by employing strategies like repairing instead of replacing, doing some work yourself, and creatively repurposing materials. Remember, thoughtful planning and a willingness to think outside the box can lead to a beautiful renovation that doesn’t break the bank.
