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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > December > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPro and Con(tractor): Is Saving Money Important With Home Renovation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark is a contractor who renovated one of my bathrooms and will soon tackle the other. He is also a pal, so I trust him to do top-flight work at a fair price.
With many of us postponing the purchase of new homes amid the stagnant real estate market, we are sprucing up our current residences. So, we crave accomplished contractors who will charge us as little as possible.
When I sought his advice for such tips, Mark scratched his head and said, “Saving money should be the last consideration.”
Gee, thanks.
Pressed further, he offered a few ideas.
Simplify the job as much as possible. The more complex, the higher the price.
Choose cheaper — not cheap, but cheaper — materials. If your contractor is selecting them, emphasize that you prefer on-sale items.
If you are assembling materials, have them ready on time for your contractor to keep the task from being delayed. Otherwise, the cost could rise.
If you are adding a room, line up an architect, a framer and other workers yourself. It will set you back more if you turn over those duties to the contractor.
Accommodate your contractor as best as you can. A happy contractor might cut you a break if problems surface on the gig or submit a friendlier bid for the next chore.
Here is a web site that is more generous than Mark with its suggestions. And here’s another.
This site promises to help you find a contractor.
What dollar-sparing advice do you have based on your experiences with contractors?
Do you believe there is a correlation between knowing your contractor and saving money?
Mark and I may disagree on the importance of reducing expenses. But we concur on something else: He’s the best man for the job.
To find ways to help make you way through a bumpy economy check out Your Money.
Comments
By Tim
December 11, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Many folks would seriously benefit from picking up all the clutter and putting a new coat of paint on the walls. If there is any money left over from the few hundred dollars in paint supplies, work on the flooring. Replace carpet, vinyl, etc…
By clyde
December 11, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
I took three large ash sticks from my firewood pile to a gentleman with a bandsaw mill.I gave hinm one,he sawed two for me.I took the lumber home and dried it,and turned in it into a complete kitchen renovation.Pantry,base cabinets,wall cabinets,all ash.I tiled the walls and put down a tongue and groove tamarack floor,same sawmill,same deal.I purchased about $600 worth of material for this kitchen.All the pantry and cupboard shelves are on rollers for easy access.I like doing things the way I want to and I LOVE THE MONEY IT SAVES.
By steve
December 11, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
The best way to save money is to do everything you can do, yourself.
When I finished my basement, I framed all the walls and hung the drywall. I tiled the floor and I did all the painting. Basically, any thing that was either glued or nailed or sawed.
But, then I hired an electrician to run the electricity.
You’d be surprised what you can if you try. If I can do it, anyone can.
By Mike D
December 11, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
I put a stripper pole in the master bedroom for my wife. We did the work ourselves and saved hundreds of dollars, and as a by product I don’t spend money at strip clubs any more - and my wife earns grocery money.
By Blogfather
December 11, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Home renovations? Lanscaping is important too! The cheapest landscaping job I ever saw was when my neighbor leaned up his xmas tree against the mailbox in february last. It looked cool till the dogs started trying to revive it. He claims he didn’t spend a penny on it.
Also, you can do wonders for the ambiance in your bathroom if you squirt some of that blue toilet bowl cleanser in the bowl and then just leave it there. The deep blue reminds me of a tropical island. People just love that.
That dont cost much neither.
By lwa
December 11, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
I want wrought iron ballisters for the steps and can’t afford them right now. So, I am going to paint them black.
I plan to re-do the tile in the bathrooms. I will demolish the job and buy the tiles on sale. Then, pay someone to lay new tile.
By Do it yourselfer
December 12, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Like everyone else has mentioned….when possible do it yourself. Hire the Pros for special items, like electrian or plumber. Only use a contractor for big projects like adding a second floor or laying a new foumdation for an addition. Then, opt to do some of the finishing work yourself, like painting, flooring, light fitures etc.
By zbvpqfiaj zhbfrji
January 22, 2009 1:56 AM | Link to this
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