With fuel prices skyrocketing and the cost of living soaring, many people are struggling just to make ends meet, but for those who have been wanting to renovate their homes or offices, it needn’t spell the end of those dreams! We’ve put together a few handy tips to help you save on those renovations you’ve been putting off.
Don’t increase size – increase efficiency!
If you can reorganise your kitchen for maximum utility, it might not be necessary to blow out walls to gain space. Start by replacing shelves that take up space with cabinet-height pull-out drawers containing racks for things like cans and other items.
It could easily cost you thousands to equip cabinets with dividers, pull-out trays and “lazy Susans”, but you’ll save a lot more by skipping all that.
Cost to expand a kitchen by 50m2 = R50 000 – R100 000
Cost of efficient, custom-designed cabinets = R35 000
Saved = Up to R75 000
Admit Natural Light Without Adding Windows
Before knocking holes in walls and spending thousands, why not try something less invasive? And less expensive.
For example, to brighten up a dark bathroom or hallway, a “light tube” can be installed instead of a window, which slips between the ceiling and the top of the roof to let sunshine into the living space below.
Cost to install a window = R15 000
Cost for a light tube = R5 000
Saved = R10 000
Visit your Local Recycling Centre
DIY-ers can save big money with recycled or lightly used fixtures and building materials. Salvaged materials can cost between nothing or half of the new thing!
One thing to remember though: Some contractors won’t work with salvaged items because they don’t want to assume liability if something goes wrong.
