Home renovations are exciting, but they can also be daunting. Whether you’re doing a little DIY work around your house or hiring a contractor, you want your project to stay on budget. To do that, you need to have a solid plan going into your home renovation. You also need to find creative ways to save money during the project. If money is not an object for you, then congratulations! Have fun building the home of your dreams. For most folks though, smart planning and budgeting on a home renovation is key. Here’s how you can save yourself money.

Decide on Your Impact Pieces or Materials

When you determine the scope of any renovation project, you probably have a mental picture of what you want the place to look like after the project. Be specific with your vision and determine which pieces or materials you want to have an impact. Choosing a marble or quartz countertop for your kitchen island could make that space the centerpiece of the entire kitchen. If you’re expanding the living room and you want to refinish the fireplace, it could tie the entire space together. Choose one or two impact pieces or materials on which you’re willing to spend some money, and save in other areas.

Don’t Pay with Money You Don’t Have

Being rigid with your budget is important during a home renovation project. If you don’t do so, you may allow the project scope to expand beyond what you had originally planned. One way to help keep yourself on budget is to only pay for your home renovation with money you have. If you take the time to save some cash for your project, you’ll have a clear idea about the project scope and vision. If you can only pay for the project with money you have, it will keep you on target and save you from paying interest on a loan.

Reuse and Repurpose Items During the Home Renovation

Another smart move you can make during your home renovation is to repurpose materials you already have, or use a cost-effective base item and augment it. Maybe you can’t afford a new rustic dresser for your bedroom, but you could take a basic piece of furniture and put a new stain or coat of paint on it. Even using items from elsewhere in the house and repurposing them for the new space can save you tons of money on your project, and it can freshen up the layout of your home.

Buying a Home in Omaha? Talk to Bill Swanson

Before you complete a home renovation, you have to have a home. If you’re looking in the Omaha market, work with Bill Swanson. Bill Swanson has over 25 years of experience in the real estate business, and he’s an Omaha native, so he knows the area well. If you want to find the right home for your lifestyle, Bill can help. Start your home search by contacting Bill Swanson at his Omaha, NE office at 402-679-6566.