Monday, July 6, 2015

Thrifty Thinking: Home Remodel Tips

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 We recently remodeled our bathroom, and eventually we hope to do a few other renovations. With bathroom and kitchens being some of the most commonly renovated places, many people look for a kitchen remodeling contractor to get the job done efficiently and with expert guidance.

Whether you use a contractor or the DIY approach (we've used both), here are some things you can do to make sure you're getting the best value.

- Make sure anyone helping you is reputable. It's worth paying a little more for quality help, if you know you won't have to fix something later.
- Cheaper isn't always better. We didn't go high-end on everything for our bathroom, but we also didn't go rock-bottom. We looked at products that had a long expected life at a decent cost.
- Do what you can on your own. If you want to get a contractor to do the structure but then do flooring yourself, you have the peace of mind of knowing the remodel is structurally sound, but then can save on labor laying a floor.
- Consider salvage pieces. If they fit the decor of your home, you may be able to find a local store that sells pieces salvaged from homes at a steal. Good options to look for are cabinets, mirrors, and architectural accessories.
- If you can, trade labor for labor. My husband did tech support work for the guy who did our bathroom, and the contractor knocked off the equivalent number of hours, saving us hundreds of dollars.

If you're thinking of the DIY approach, make sure you get the local permits and inspections required. If you're dealing with electrical, plumbing, or something structural, make sure you know what you're doing before you tackle it on your own - the last thing you need is to have a remodel look great but be a danger down the road!

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