Personalizing your house is one of the best parts of being a homeowner. You could replace your flooring for a new look or renovate an entire bathroom to improve its usability.

No matter what motivates your dream projects, this guide will teach you how to keep your home remodel on-budget. Work with your current savings to get the interior design and architecture you want without moving into a new home.

1. Look for Donated Supplies

Every project requires supplies. While walking through your local hardware store, you might worry about the fees adding up. Fresh pine planks or stainless steel light fixtures could eat through most of your budget before ever getting a contractor’s bid. If this starts to happen to you, don’t panic. It’s time to visit a donation center.

Many larger donation centers accept things like countertops, bathtubs, appliances, and even flooring. You could pick up everything you need at a fraction of the price. Use the extra money to expand your project or hire a bigger team to finish the job in a faster time frame.

2. Offer Your Skills

Sweat equity could keep your home remodel on-budget. It’s a term that describes the work you’ll do without getting paid. Even if a contractor says they can handle every step along the way, you could offer your skills whenever possible to cut down the final fees.

Offer to sweep the sawdust after an installation or get rid of the junk that piles up in your yard. Most cleanup fees result in an average of $662 for residential services, but you could save that cash by cleaning up with friends and family.

3. Get Multiple Bids

It’s always smart to get multiple bids from contractors before settling on a team. They’ll describe what they can do for your project and how long it will take for them to finish.

While talking about the potential timeline and hours required for the work, discuss all additional costs that could rack up during the job. The right contractor will prioritize your needs and work with your budget to create the results you want without breaking the bank.

4. Find Imitation Materials

Maybe you’ve spent years daydreaming about hardwood floors. You love the rich brown colors of mahogany and want to use the grained texture as an extra rustic element in your home.

When you finally start looking for mahogany flooring, it might be more expensive than you first thought. You can still get the appearance within your existing budget if you find imitation materials.

Linoleum is a perfect example of long-lasting flooring that can imitate almost anything. It’s easy to clean and economical for home remodeling projects. Talk with your contractor about other imitation materials specific to your project to find alternatives that work with your budget.

5. Start Planning Early

Some projects are smaller than others, but they can all require weeks or months to complete. It’s always wise to begin planning your renovation as soon as possible. Drawing the plan, finding materials, and everything in between might take months before the work starts, so talk with your contractor once you find the right team.

Your project lead or contractor will go over every potential cost and pitfall so you know what you’re getting into. You’ll end up with a manageable budget and timeline that works for both your personal life and your contractor’s schedule.

Keep Your Home Remodel On-Budget

Get the house of your dreams without ever packing a moving box. These tips reveal how to keep your home remodel on a budget so you can accomplish projects of all sizes without taking out a loan.

Whether you’re dreaming about new cabinetry, windows, or flooring, you’ll know you’re on the right track when your contractor works with you to minimize costs.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison