Plan ahead to save
We bought our current house four years ago. We chose to buy an older home that needed a facelift: 1) to save money and 2) to inject our own character into the decor. Each year we budget and plan for one major project (e.g. painting the kitchen cabinets, regrading the front lawn, planting our flower garden, painting the fence, etc). The list is long but we maintain sanity and cash flow by tackling our home improvements one small step at a time.
This year’s project is planting a cedar hedge along the back fence to guarantee some privacy as the trees mature. The planning phase of this project started last autumn when researching cedar species and making inquiries to local nurseries. Father Miser and I were both interested in the Degroot cedars because they grow in height more than in width. Unfortunately, each one cost $150 at our local nursery. Given that we needed a minimum of 15 cedars, it was turning into quite a hefty financial investment. So we shelved the project over winter to consider the alternatives.
I continued to research and discovered that emerald cedars also grow in height more than width (therefore requiring less maintenance) but cost $60 per tree instead. Excited by the promised savings, we realized we could afford to install our hedge this year after all. Then last Saturday morning as we sat eating breakfast, perusing the weekly flyers, we noticed a sale for emerald cedars: one day only, while quantities last, $15 per tree! SCORE!!!
We literally gulped down our breakfast and ran out to buy them. We were able to buy 25 cedars, instead of 15 because of the significant savings. We hauled them all home in a $20 truck rental from the store and now have beautiful emerald cedars waiting to be planted as a hedge.
Planning our project allowed for thousands in savings. Instead of spending $2,300 on 15 cedars, we spent less than $400!!! No matter what improvements you want to make at home, researching and planning can allow for more savings because you can keep an eye out for what you need in featured sales, instead of rushing to buy and paying full price. By mauling over plans and projects, you also have time to evaluate exactly what you want and identify the best way to attain your goals.
What was the biggest home improvement you have undertaken? What was your saving strategy?
MM
In anticipation of selling my home within the next 6-7 years, with two teenagers who will be ready to fly the nest by then, I undertook major kitchen and bathroom renovations this year. I am of the school of thought that renos should be enjoyed for a while before selling the house! Here are some of the lessons in savings I can share from my experience.
(1) If you are going to replace your counters with granite, go directly to the granite seller and ask to see the remnants pieces they have. Remnants are usually almost 50% less expensive then regular granite, for exactly the same product. You just have to be willing to choose your colour based on what remnants are available. It is well worth the compromise, as granite is quite expensive. In my case, I saved over $1,000 for two bathroom counters! I was extremely happy with my seller, Mountain Granite, with sale, installation, and after sale service.
(2) Laminate flooring in upstairs bedroom requires a much more modest investment then hardwood floors, while also updating and freshening up the look of aging carpets. Since many homebuyers still prefer the warmth of carpeting in bedrooms, I did not want to invest too much in new flooring which may not be seen as desirable to future homebuyers. Laminate flooring, which can be installed by most DIYers, provided me with the non-carpet feel and look I wanted for my remaining years in my house, without breaking my budget.
(3) Investing in beautiful faucets is actually one of the luxuries of home renos which I think are worth the extra money. For $100-$200 more then a regular standard faucet, you can get a really beautiful faucet that truly brings both style and the wow-factor to your kitchen and bathroom.
(4) Paint remains the cheapest and easiest way to freshen the look of any room. Accesorizing the room with items in similar colour tones as the new paint is also very affordable and a great deal of fun. It is amazing what can be found at places like HomeSense for very reasonable prices.