Home Renovation for the DIY Homeowner

The cost of a home renovation can add up quickly and as a frugally conscious couple we had to be creative.

Nothing says home more than when you make it your own. I remember when my husband (then boyfriend) and I moved out of the college dorms and into our first apartment together, I was so excited to go furniture shopping and start decorating. We’ve come a long way since then from our first home purchase and as homeowners we have more freedom to really make our home work for us, both functionally and aesthetically.

Plus, who likes spending a bunch of money if you don’t have to?

What is a home renovation?

To renovate is: “to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding) or  to restore to life, vigor, or activity.” (Merriam Webster)

Did you know there is a difference between a home renovation versus a home remodel?

According to Bob Vila, a renovation can be something as simple as painting walls or replacing hardware while a remodel can be more labor intensive like tearing down or building up walls. Remodels are much pricier and often require a design plan, contractors, and city permits to get the job done.

A home renovation is much simpler than a remodel. Updating your home could totally change the look and feel of a space without spending all the extra money AND time to get the job done. If an area of the home is looking or feeling a little outdated, renovating is a great alternative changing up the space and may also offer a better return of investment if you’re planning on selling your home.

We renovated our entire kitchen for under $200 with just paint and had multiple offers and pending offers when we listed it for sale!

Learn the 7 Secrets to Painting Cabinets Like a PRO!

How to get started with a home renovation

Before we go into the budget, we need to do a little work that may save us some money when it’s time to start the renovation.

1. Evaluate your space
2. Research
3. Identify your resources
4. Gather your tools and materials

Evaluate the space

First, we need to evaluate the space that we want to renovate. This process is to encourage creative thinking in prioritizing what is essential to repair or replace, identify what you already have that you can work with, and what you would really love in that space if you could have it.

To get a better idea of what you’re working with, declutter the space. This alone can make the space feel and look better. A clean area will allow you to check the condition of anything that needs to be repaired or replaced. In terms of functionality and aesthetic, make note of the things in the space that are and are not working for you.

Research

Now that we know where you’re at, we need to have a vision of where we’re going. There are many ways we can go about this. I personally love using Pinterest and YouTube. Both of these sites offer a visual aid that will help later in determining the look we’re going for and also give us ideas or creative solutions we didn’t think about.

If you’re not sure what to research, you can also look at houses for sale online and check out their photos. This is a great way to find a color scheme or design style that you like and may want to replicate in your own home.

Depending on the home renovation, window shopping is another way to research and you can do this online or in stores. I like to visit my local hardware store to check out what my options are, do a little price shopping, and I can even learn something when talking to the employees. Checking out home décor and craft stores can also provide ideas for the look you’re going for in your home.

Remember this is just the research step, we’re not buying anything yet!

Determine your resources

Alright, so now that you’ve made a list of what’s working in your space and what’s not and you’ve done some research on what you would like your space to have, now we need to check our resources.

Time

Depending on the complexity of the home renovation it may take days, weeks, or months. Consider how much time it will take to complete the renovation.

Space

Sometimes renovations may mean we lose the space that is under renovation so we have to consider if we have alternative areas that we can use. For example, we only had one bathroom while we were doing some tile work so our neighbors kindly let us borrow their spare until we were done. Another scenario is if you plan to paint or stain your kitchen cabinets then they need a place to be worked on.

Supplies

Home renovations come with hardware, paint, and tools to get the job done. Check the supplies that you already have that can get the job done and make of list of the supplies that you still need.

Money

Take everything into consideration to determine the amount of money you feel comfortable spending on your home renovation. You will save more money doing the work yourself than hiring someone else. There are creative solutions to change up a space on a budget.

Gather your tools and materials

Now we finally get to make this home renovation a reality and it’s time to gather up your supplies! Take everything that you think will work for you and set aside all the things that won’t (but don’t toss them out). You may be able to upcycle the things you have by painting them or covering them up in some way.

Are there supplies that you don’t have and need? Try your local Habitat for Humanity for hardware, paint, tiles, wood, light fixtures, and even tools! Search online for a shared tool library or check the local hardware store for tool rentals. Some of the hardware stores may also cut materials for you for free or for a fee. Another alternative is to ask a friend!

Tips for Success in Home Renovations

• Check with your local city ordinances for any restrictions or requirements such as permits before doing the renovation.
• Reuse or repurpose what you already have
• Shop at second hand improvement stores like Habitat for Humanity 
• Shop at second hand thrift stores for home décor you can upcycle
• Be patient in the process
• Be open to possibilities and think outside the box
• Have fun! This is your time to change up your space the way that you want!

Common Questions/FAQ About Home Renovations

• How do you renovate on a budget?
  • Do little changes around the home that can change the look and feel of the space. The cheapest and less permanent way to create a new look is to change out the home décor. This can be a great opportunity to experiment with your style.
• Can painting increase the value of my home?
  • Paint is an affordable renovation that anyone can do that can drastically change the look and feel of a space. Neutral colors like beige, grays, whites, and earth tone colors are timeless and easier to style with furniture and décor.
• What is the first thing to do when renovating a house?
  • You can do the floors first but that can be costly depending on the size of the area. Painting the walls is more affordable and can be done quicker. This is personal preference and can also depend on what will make the biggest impact for your space.
• Can I renovate or remodel my own house without a permit?
  • A permit may be required in your home renovation. Usually if it is related to plumbing, electrical, or structural it may require a permit. Check with your local city building and planning department for their code and regulations.
• Are contractors responsible for permits?
  • The homeowner is responsible for any work that is being done on the home. Some contractors may offer to apply for city permits for an additional fee; however, homeowners may have to apply for their own permits before any work may be started. Check local ordinances to see if a permit is needed and ask your contractor what their service includes.
• Is it cheaper to refinish, reface, or replace cabinets?
  • Personally, we found it was much cheaper to refinish our existing cabinets. We painted all of our kitchen cabinets for under $200 dollars and had a little paint leftover. If your cabinets are in good condition and serve their purpose then you can refinish them with paint or stain. In terms of cost from least to most expensive it would be refinishing, refacing, and replacing. 

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Home Renovations

The home is a place of rest and recovery and where we spend time with our loved ones. How it looks and feels to you can affect your mood. Renovating your home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It can be as simple as upcycling what you already have, using some paint, or changing out the home décor. 

By evaluating your space, researching, and identifying your resources you’ll be able to renovate your space in no time!

Read More:

• 7 Secrets to Painting Cabinets like a PRO!
• 21 Ways to Update Your Home on a Budget
• 10 Things You Must do BEFORE Buying a Home
• 9 Best Need-to-Know Tips for the First-Time Homebuyer

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