7 Money saving Tips when building/remodeling your home.

Teri Ann Renee Paisley, Gleaner Online Writer

It is certainly a brave soul who will tackle in this financial environment a major construction project.

In fact, many people have put off construction projects because they simply don’t have enough funds to complete them.

Everywhere I look, buildings continue to be erected so obviously construction has not been significantly stalled.
Whether you are remodeling or erecting a building, there are many things you can do in order to save money.

1. Get Professional Quantity Surveying services.
   I know this might seem to be contrary to my advice about saving money since this is a paid service.
   However if you are getting a loan, the bank usually requires that you get a quantity surveyor’s report which outlines the budget for the entire project.
2. Enlist the help of family and friends
   Ask your family and friends to provide some ‘free’ unskilled work such as dismantling or hauling materials.
3. Supervise the construction site.
   Although it would be tempting to leave everything up to the contractor, a better idea is to monitor the site to ensure that the project is on target for completion.
4. Shop around for the best price
   A number of contractors offer the same services so ask around for the best price. It is also important to determine if they have a good reputation for producing quality work.
   Materials are also sold at a variety of places so shop around for the best price.
5. Source Your Own Materials
   Sometimes if you have connections with local artisans who can hand craft unique items, it might make sense to source your own materials instead of relying on the contractor.
6. Try to do it yourself
   Now not everyone is handy with a hammer but some people are able to do simple remodel projects without hiring a professional. This is an option only for those who have the time and skill to execute it.
7. Ask Questions
   Don’t be shy about questioning anything that you don’t understand. Your contractor may have assumed that you want crown molding in your renovated space. If you don’t care about crown molding, you can save hundreds of dollars just by taking it off of the quote.

How do you save money when you are building or remodeling a home?

Tags: building, house, savings