It is undeniable that the cost of many basic goods and services has risen quickly in recent years, making it harder for people to maintain their standard of living. With high-cost living, saving tips and other methods to cut costs are more important than ever—if you make a single bad purchase or investment it could ruin your budget for months.
This applies to the cost of your home-improvement projects, too! Whether you are building a house or repairing a roof, you would certainly want to make sure that you had the highest-quality building materials, but at an affordable price. You could always rely on your building contractors, but that won’t always cut it, as they may just be out to get your wallet.
So, for your sake and the sake of your family, as well as that of your wallet, we’d like to provide a few tips on how you can get high-quality building materials without sacrificing personal finances. Low-quality materials often cost more to purchase, repair and maintain than higher quality ones, and we know that better than anyone else at Roofline Supply. After you’re done with this article, you’re in the perfect spot to start shopping, so stick around and let us help you with your purchase, here or anywhere!
Keeping Cost Low
Because of the complexity and lengthiness of a renovation project, keeping your budget stable throughout is an act of both vigilance (keeping track daily) and restraint (having to say “no”, to either yourself or your contractor when it comes to building supplies!).
Even when you’re most prudent with your finances, unexpected expenses can pop up and throw off all of your financial plans. By setting aside 10 percent of your overall budget as a contingency fund, you can help offset the costs—and stress—of any nasty surprises and give yourself some extra money to splurge on higher quality products where your home is concerned.
With a lot of experience in this sort of planning, building a home can seem incredibly obvious. But when it comes to deciding on the design, interior, or exterior finishings for your new residence (and making sure they are up-to-code and fit with local regulations) the choices that must be made may not be so apparent at first glance.
If you design your own home, it’s crucial that you plan everything out in advance. Without a clear vision of the materials and scheduling required to make your dream house come true, impulsive decisions can throw off your budget—and leave no room for error, so plan first! You won’t regret it.
Senior vice president of installations for Power Home Remodeling Michael DiMartino notes that it’s crucial to make sure you’ve done your homework before beginning construction. He says, “It’s important to have a clear understanding of your end goal before you begin, otherwise what happens is that people jump in with both feet without having thought through all the steps.”
How to Start
It’s important to formulate a plan that begins with your end goal in mind. From there, you can choose how best to execute it within the confines of your budget, which will give you a good idea of what you can put towards materials. It’s a good idea to consult your building contractor about this and ask for advice, but make sure you don’t let them decide what’s best for your budget, because they might have their own interests in mind.
Don’t be afraid to intervene when necessary during the construction or repair process; it’ll help you stay on course and keep your budget under control, while also giving you more control on the construction altogether. If you aren’t proactive, most contractors have their own preferences for materials and even interior and exterior design!
Cutting Costs
Be careful not to overtax your home’s electrical system during the building process, as that can compromise its insulation and make it less energy efficient. Consider even the type of insulation you use when you’re in the middle of construction, because this could have an impact on various things down the road. Fiberglass insulation is cheaper, but foam and spray insulation is more water resistant and can even block out sound! You can also save on your electrical bill by insulating your home properly. If you have an older home that doesn’t have as much insulation, consider adding more to reduce the amount of heat escaping through walls, floors and ceilings.
Here are some simple ways to save energy at home through your material supply selection: switching out incandescent lightbulbs for LEDs, or consider adding more insulation to reduce heat loss. Inverter generators can be useful substitutes for regular gas-powered models, since they allow you to significantly reduce the amount of propane used without compromising on construction quality, so they’re a great alternative if you’re looking to protect your wallet.
It is a good idea to use “green” building practices, but also be mindful of the quality. These practices utilize sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems to save money while also maintaining cleanliness. It’s also important to consider the environmental impact of your choices. If you’re building a new house, for example, you might want to consider using environmentally friendly materials like bamboo or recycled plastic instead of concrete or lumber. These materials are cheaper and easier on the environment than traditional building materials like steel and vinyl siding.
Remember to check the quality of materials carefully before you buy anything, however, and don’t be afraid to rely on us for a great place to start. Lower quality materials will wear out faster in the end. It’s tempting to get inferior shingles for a lower price, but you’ll be regretting it the next time a storm comes around!
Hold Firm
If you’ve ever had concerns about the standard of materials used in a building project or if you’re worried that corners might be cut, make some non-negotiable demands. Priorities, rules and don’ts keep the project on track by eliminating costly missteps.
Consider style, function and materials when creating a wish list that stays within your budget. With this checklist, you and your building contractors can make sure that all details of the construction are addressed. For example, if you know you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of quality in one area (if necessary), are you willing to do it so that you can afford the best in another?
However, working with the right professionals is key to making your project a success. A right-fit contractor—someone who’s honest and passionate about helping you pull off your plan while sticking to it.
When choosing from among the many professionals who make your dream house a reality, choose those with whom you can communicate easily and without reservation. When everyone agrees on a goal, you can be sure your output will match. By avoiding the pitfalls of poor communication and failed collaboration, you can cut down on wasted time. And money!
Conclusion
Although many architects and other professionals are expert communicators amongst each other, they often fail to break down their language into everyday terms, leaving the layperson confused. It is therefore essential that everyone who will be involved in the project understand its overall approach and these language barriers so it can be completed on schedule and within budget.
Keep in mind that when you’re working with a team of professionals, listening to them as well will be just as important, if not more so, than communicating clearly yourself. Once you have a clear understanding of the entire construction or repair process, you will be able to anticipate any changes and adapt accordingly.
You may have noticed that many of these tips encouraged more communication and the careful selection of people you work with; it’s for good reason. Materials and methods may not always be the best way to keep costs down on a building project. The cost of labor will probably have more influence on your budget than you think it does, and being proactive about that will let you spend money on something a lot more substantial: your home.
So, always be communicative with your contractors, and carefully select the employees who will work on your construction project. The people you hire play a large role in bringing down the cost of renovation—think wisely about whom you choose when you’re trying to figure out what you’ll be choosing to build with.
