Building Smart: Part 3
HI, FRIENDS!!! 👋🏼 This is the last installment of my home building/renovation savings series. I did hours of research to put together these lists based on many, many current and recent home build experiences/stories. I surely hope these tips have helped you with your planning and preparation 🤞🏼
If you find yourself at the end of the process with a depleted bank account, these ideas are meant to help you limp to the finish line (and get your Certificate of Occupancy 🙌🏼). It’s a list of finishing ideas that will help to keep your costs as small as possible. I have heard so many stories lately of folks getting to the end of their build and not having the money to finish what they had planned for the spaces. We are just living in a C R A Z Y {home building} world! Hang in there, guys 🤗
Here’s 7 very specific ways to control costs with your finishes:
Use hollow core doors
Use 6’8” doors (instead of 8’)
Utilize prefab drop-in showers (instead of tile work)
LED disc lights (instead of can lights) (this is actually the more popular choice anyway)
Buy prefab vanities complete with tops (instead of custom cabinetry and countertop install)
Stained concrete flooring (instead of adding LVP or engineered wood, IF you are on slab)
Purchase formica or lower tier granite (instead of higher-end, pricey stones)
Hollow core doors are less expensive and can be swapped out later for a different style if you so desire. Depending on how many doors, closet doors, etc you have, choosing the more standard size doors (6’8”) could save thousands. I hadn’t really considered this, but I’ve read multiple stories of homeowners who saved money in the short term by using a drop in shower instead of paying for custom tile work. It would be a renovation that can be done down the road, if you’re patient enough to wait. Disc lights are quickly becoming more popular than can lights and they are also less expensive. Purchasing pre-fab vanities with countertops already installed is almost always more budget friendly than doing custom cabinetry and countertops. (And I think it seems like a much faster + easier option, too!) I am seeing several current builds doing stained concrete flooring to save money with a plan of laying down their preferred flooring later on. Of course, this only works for a slab-built home. Lastly, many folks who have completely busted their home building budget and who are in the final stages have made the decision to use butcher block, formica, or lower tier granite for substantial savings on countertops in their new home. This is also something that can be upgraded down the road as your finances allow.
It’s not fun to talk about budgets and such, but in this current economy with rising inflation and costs of everything, it really is wise to save in every aspect that you can. We don’t know what the future holds, but you certainly don’t want to be upside down if this huge bubble bursts 😳
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