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How to Remodel a Small House Like a Pro on a Budget

It is possible to lower your remodelling costs by taking a few radical steps.

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Neutral colours give homes a more sophisticated look.
High-end materials are usually more expensive than ordinary ones. PHOTO | FILE

Remodelling a house is a great idea to improve the quality of life in a home and to raise the value of the house.

But, like all upgrades, remodelling does not come cheap. However, it is possible to lower your costs by following these easy-to-use tips.

1.) Create a budget

Before you embark on a remodelling project, it is important to create a realistic budget, and if possible adjust the budget to allow for unexpected costs. An estimate of costs helps you to make desired changes to your home without exceeding your budget.

2.) Quality of materials

High-end materials are usually more expensive than ordinary ones, and sometimes it is just the appearance of expensive materials that add to the price.

You should carefully examine the necessity of buying expensive materials while keeping in mind that cheap is sometimes more expensive in the long run.

3.) Location

The cost of products and services varies by region. For example, labour costs drop as you move away from major towns.

On the other hand, the price of materials such as cement increases as one moves into the more rural areas as distributors will pass the cost of transportation to the buyers. You should consider this factor and find a way to get around the higher cost brought about by location.

4.) Avoid moving mechanicals

When remodelling a small house, you should avoid changing the position of mechanicals such as plumbing. Moving the position of the kitchen sink, for example, will consume a significant amount of your budget.

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The cost would be far much higher if you were to relocate a bathroom. It is also more economical to supplement your current wiring than entirely redo your electrical work.

5.) Do-it-yourself

You can lower your home remodelling costs by handling some of the small tasks such as repainting and landscaping. A do-it-yourself home venture adds the more needed personal touch to your home and the cost savings are worth all the effort.

6.) Refurbishing

Before you get rid of something, consider simple fixes which will greatly help in cost-cutting. This entails repairing and making improvements to something to brighten it or make it look new again.

For instance, instead of buying or reupholstering a sofa, invest in a slipcover which is more cost-effective and easy to decorate. You can also use spray paint to bring back life into old pieces of previously painted furniture.

Joy Makena is a skilled interior designer with a degree from Egerton University. With a keen eye for detail and a natural talent for transforming spaces, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage.