| To begin with, don't assume that you have to have a | | | | wallpaper in kitchens that most potential buyers hate. |
| general contractor to get things done. Many DIY stores | | | | So then the houses don't sell. Stay away from |
| can help you learn to do things yourself and they offer | | | | wallpaper. |
| good prices to regular customers, too. | | | | Plain paint is easier and cheaper, and it can be touched |
| Don't turn over your project to a contractor along with | | | | up or changed any time you want, too. |
| an open checkbook. If you do this you will pay top | | | | Do your own painting. It's not really difficult and your |
| dollar for everything. Your contractor will reserve any | | | | DIY store can help you with the details. It's a good way |
| savings for his own wallet. | | | | to make a big change for a little money. |
| Do the buying for your projects. Some contractors | | | | See if you can build in storage into your space |
| hate it because they can't cheat easily. But it makes it | | | | yourself. It's really easier than you might think. Old TV |
| a lot easier for you to control costs. | | | | armoires can make great closets or pantries now that |
| Another thing you can do to save money is to look at | | | | TV's are smaller and take up less room. |
| your plans and see if there is anything you can reuse. | | | | Pick basic neutral colors for permanent fixtures so you |
| For example bathroom cabinets are pretty standard | | | | can change your style any time you want. Hotels and |
| but the current fashion is for cabinets to be 36 inches | | | | apartments generally install white bathroom fixtures |
| high. Consider raising the existing cabinet on some sort | | | | and change the décor around them when |
| of platform or legs and painting it. It can save you | | | | necessary. You can do this, too. |
| hundreds of dollars. | | | | It's pretty easy to finish sheetrock, too. But because it's |
| Kitchen cabinets can be either refaced or painted for | | | | messy many people think it's a lot better to hire pros |
| a new look. | | | | for this. |
| Stone slab counter tops are really expensive. But | | | | Hire plumbers and electricians for specific things and |
| stone tiles that are usually used for flooring are | | | | pay them when you see that things are working |
| cheaper. Butcher-block counters are both cheaper and | | | | properly. It may be easy for you to put up a new light |
| really functional. They would be a great option for | | | | fixture or set a new toilet, but if you need a new |
| practical remodeling. | | | | electrical or plumbing line run it's good to get a licensed |
| For flooring look and see what's on sale. There might | | | | pro. |
| be a perfectly acceptable option that would save you | | | | On a recent job we bought all the supplies to refinish a |
| lots of money. Avoid plastic or vinyl. It is really bad at | | | | bath for $220. We still have to buy a couple of gallons |
| resale. | | | | of paint, but our old bath will soon have a new look |
| Don't add on to your house. Any addition that you | | | | from floor to ceiling. We are keeping the cabinet, the |
| make will add ridiculous costs to your project. You will | | | | old white toilet and the shower. We are getting a new |
| also have to get more permits and regulators involved, | | | | floor, new paint, and new lights. |
| too. | | | | Anyone can make this happen and they can do it for |
| Try to avoid wallpaper. It shows its age fast. There | | | | a lot less money, too. You can get value if you try and |
| are lots of houses in this country that have dated | | | | have the space and décor you want. |