6 Unique Tips to Save Money on Home Improvement
If you think you can’t afford a beautiful home, you may be wrong. Update and improve your home for less thanks to the following six tips to save money on home improvement projects. You’ll have the house of your dreams and stay out of debt.
Group Discounts
The next time you need to start a home improvement project or service, find out if your neighbors would be interested in sharing the resources for their own projects. You will generally wind up with a discount, and maybe even some neighborly help in the process.
This works well for large equipment rentals and home services, such as painting or landscaping.
Home Improvement Incentives
From tax breaks to utility incentives and home insurance rebates, there are many money saving incentives available that can reduce the cost of your home improvement project.
For example, currently, many states offer up to $7,500 toward the installed cost of solar panels, and federal taxpayers may also be eligible for an additional tax credit of 30 percent of qualified expenditures.
Bundled Products and Services
Bundling products and services can often save you money on the final cost of your home improvement project. Contracting multiple projects at the same time or purchasing materials for several improvements at once can be very cost effective. Since multiple projects occuring simultaneously can be overwhelming, consider staggering project start dates.
Discounted Appliances
The cost of appliances can take a big chunk out of the kitchen renovation budget, so saving money in this area should make a big difference. There are several ways to get discounted appliances.
“Scratch and dent” appliances are often in perfect condition but for one reason or another cannot be sold as new. They may have been returned when the owner changed her mind, or have had their boxes accidentally opened in the warehouse. Still, check these appliances carefully for possible cosmetic damage before you buy.
DIY Your Accessories
You may love that designer light fixture, but do you really want to pay hundreds of dollars for it? Browse the many do it yourself home decor articles, images and videos, to create your own accessories for pennies on the dollar. Get inspired to craft a one of a kind accessory pieces that family and friends will admire for years to come.
Not only will you save money, but you will have fun as well.
Bartering
Bartering is an ancient skill that still works today, believe it or not. This is especially true when you contract local professionals who may be willing to work with you on price in exchange for something that you can provide to them, whether it is goods or services.
For example, I once traded a 40-foot ladder, that we were not using, for painting services. A friend of mine exchanged a month of free hair cuts in exchange for professional carpet cleaning.
Figure out what goods or services you might have to offer and then simply ask if you can make a trade.
money saving tips, home improvement, home value