04 Nov Home Renovations on a Budget: Big changes on a tiny budget

Your home should be a place of relaxation. But it can quickly turn into a headache if your maintenance and utility bills keep skyrocketing.

We’ve got all the tips you need for an affordable home renovation that leaves your home better looking and more cost-effective without you having to break the bank.

Do-it-yourself home upgrades that can save you a fortune

Hiring contractors for a home renovation can be expensive. Here are some DIY upgrades you can do yourself that will, in the long run, save you more money than you think.

• Give your home a fresh paint job. A fresh coat of paint is the easiest and cheapest way to boost the aesthetics and value of your home. The best part is you can do it yourself or with your family. Also, giving your house a new coat of quality paint protects it against the elements, saving you the cost of some expensive repairs.
• Upgrade appliances. Your home will benefit from upgrading appliances such as the heater, air conditioner, fridge, and other high energy consumers to more energy-efficient models. By trading your current appliances for more energy-efficient models, you reduce your energy bills and increase the value of your home.
• Fix leaky faucets. If you are wondering why your water bill is so high, it’s probably because of your leaky faucets. Upgrade from your old faucets to ones that better conserve water.
• Switch to energy-efficient light fixtures. This move makes for a simple yet extremely valuable DIY upgrade. By switching out your indoor and outdoor bulbs to LED bulbs that are more energy-efficient, you will over the years save more on utility bills.
• Upgrade landscaping. If you’ve got a yard, consider upgrading by replacing your shrubbery or grass with plants that require less water and maintenance. Artificial grass means one less thing on your water bill and no more gardener bills. Plus, it lasts for years.
• Seal leaky doors and windows. Leaky doors and windows let out air conditioning and heating. That’s money flying out the window or door. By sealing leaks with caulk or insulating foam sealer, you improve your home’s insulation and how much you spend on cooling or heating.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Other changes you can make in your home that save money include reducing waste by reusing or recycling. Instead of throwing out old stuff, consider repairing or repurposing them to serve other functions in your home.

For example, you can reuse plastic items such as plastic bags, plates, and cutlery after cleaning them. Clothes or shoes can be repaired and reused. Computers, TVs and other electronics with faults can be repaired and used in other rooms of your home or sold. The limit to what you can reuse is only limited by your imagination.

You can also save money by shopping second-hand instead of buying brand new. You can get excellent second-hand purchases at yard sales and on sites like Craigslist and eBay.

Energy-efficient upgrades – Savings that go a long way

The number one energy-efficient upgrade you can make is changing your electricity provider. Compare electricity providers in your area to discover if your current provider offers the best services and the cheapest electricity.

If there’s a better option, then it’s time to switch and save money. You can also save money by switching to a light company with no deposit, meaning fewer upfront costs, which saves you hundreds of dollars on switching providers.

You can also save money by installing smart, energy-efficient appliances that are designed to help minimize how much power you consume. For instance, a programmable thermostat like the Nest is affordable but saves hundreds of dollars by keeping energy consumption to a minimum while delivering optimal heating.

With these budget-friendly renovation ideas, you improve the comfort of your home and add more money to your wallet in the long run.