Home Improvement costs have gone up drastically over the last few years. If you are working within a strict budget but still want to improve your home, this can affect your efforts. The True Cost Report by HomeAdvisor in 2021 showed a 10% increase in home improvement project costs from 2016 to 2021. It cited the factors as being inflation, higher costs of materials, labor costs, and increased demand for professional services.
The pandemic played a big factor during some of this time as well. Disruptions in the supply chain and shortages of material were driving causes that we still feel now. The examples below are only averages; your cost will, of course, depend on the project you choose to undertake.
Combine these costs with the current state of the economy in early 2023, and you may be looking for ways to save money while still greatly improving your home. Here are some recommendations.
Overspending on a home remodel is easy — be smart instead and carefully plan what you really need and realistic ways to pay for it. Saving and paying cash is the absolute best way to pay for a home remodeling project. How much can you save each month to get the amount you need? Of course, you will need to price materials, labor, and other costs for the projects you need. Ask yourself some questions to determine your priorities?
On average, half your budget will be spent on materials. With so much at stake, take the time to shop around for the best prices and deals.
Thinking green can sometimes save you money. Salvaged or recycled materials can easily be 30-50% less than new, and with few to no blemishes. Scratch-and-dent articles, extra materials returned to a supplier or salvage yard, area recycling centers, and even construction project dumpsters may be nearby and offer significant opportunities to get great materials free or at reduced prices. Ask around and see what you can find to help stretch your materials budget.
If you have the skills and time, do what work you can yourself. Be sure you know how to do the project or aspect of a project you choose. Often, chores like demolition, minor trim, painting, and other smaller chores can be handled more cost-effectively yourself. You should also be aware that getting too deep into something you know little or nothing about can end up costing you more money and time.
Some items will need to be replaced; but you may be surprised what can be professionally cleaned and resurfaced to look new again. Hiring a resurfacing pro like Revivify Surface, LLC can be more affordable than replacing materials, especially in the current economy and with supply chain shortages driving up material costs.
Many tile and stone surfaces in your bathrooms, kitchen, family room, and other spaces can look like new again and be protected for even longer use with professional cleaning, refurbishing, and sealing from Revivify specialists. They can offer you significant value and save money in the long run.
Contact Revivify today and ask about their cleaning and resurfacing services near you.