5 Way to Be Cost Effective With Home Improvement Projects

When you own a home, there’s no getting around home improvement projects. You will most likely always have that “honey-do-list” that never seems to get done for one reason or another. So whether you want financial return on your investment or you just want to pretty up the place you live, saving money while adding value is never a bad thing and there are almost always cheaper solutions to whatever project may be at hand. Here are five ways that will help you be more cost efficient and perhaps provide you with an extra motivation to work on your long list of never ending house projects.

Adding Natural Light

Artificial light just isn’t the same as the sun flowing in but adding windows can be pricey, especially if you’re having to cut through the wall, the house’s insulation, and the siding to put one in. Alternatively, consider a light tube that’s installed between roof rafters and shunts light down into the space. This is especially useful for windowless hallways or dark bathrooms. Adding a light tube can save you around $1000.

Fore-go Recessed Lighting

Recessed lights can be pretty pricey so consider skipping them altogether or limiting how many you put in. If you’re wanting to update your lighting, you don’t have to choose recessed lights to get an updated look and it saves you the cost of labor to cut and drill holes into your ceiling and insulate the lighting properly. Opting for surface lighting versus can lighting can save upwards of $600.

Don’t Spend Too Much on Wall Prep

If your walls are pretty gnarly and the only way to salvage them is to pay a contractor to fill and sand them, think again. There’s a product on the market called Texturglass which is made up of fine glass filaments that gives it a similar look and texture to the fiberglass matting that’s used in auto-body work. You can choose a variety of surfaces and it can be installed on top of existing walls. The average cost of redoing the walls of a 15×20 room can run about %1500 while Texturglass is only around $1000 to install.

Hire a Contractor in the "Off Season"

Most home improvements take place during the summer months or around Christmas time. Experts suggest waiting until around the New Year. During peak remodel season, contractors and suppliers are busier, slower with deliveries, and slower with turn around time. Some contractors offer a discount during their slow times in an attempt to attract business, which can save you upwards of $1500.

Opt for Resistance Welding

Resistance welding is different from traditional welding in that it uses electrically generated heat to meld the materials together. It’s often more quick and time efficient, meaning whoever you hire spends less time at your house which means less labor costs. Resistance welding is also more cost effective,  so if your project is going to require a lot of welding, opt for a contractor who uses this type.

Don’t let the high costs of home improvement keep you from creating the home of your dreams. Having a clear-cut plan before embarking on a task can save you time and money while still getting the same end result.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie found the information for this article from Deringer-ney, a company that specializes in cost effective resistance welding.