Around half the cost of a remodel is in materials, so try to be mindful of potential downfalls.

If you’re a DIY’er, avoiding some minor and major mistakes can help you make the most out of your investment. I hope you already know it’s best to buy quality materials from trusted local vendors and to install classic, long-lasting materials that will be around for generations. Below are a few more tips on shopping and getting ready for your remodel…

1. Know the downfalls of buying off the shelf. 

Check the box. Does it look like it has been opened or returned? Don’t buy it. Returned items may have damage and missing parts.

2. Get recommendations of showrooms and lumberyards. 

A good builder should have established relationships with reps he or she trusts, so use the recommended suppliers if you can. If you’re a DIYer, try asking around for some good suggestions. When all else fails, add 30 percent to any delivery time frame you’re told and build a healthy contingency fund into your budget, just in case.

3. Just because it’s cheaper… 

A lot of houses are still piped with copper, so repairs and remodeling will generally be done in copper as well. Half-inch copper pipe is 5/8 inch in diameter, but the thickness of the copper depends on the type. Many stores sell type M and L. Type M is cheaper because it’s thinner — but saving money in materials now could mean tearing open walls later to find a pinhole leak that has sprung.

4. Sometimes you don’t get what you thought you were paying for.

Some brands spend more on advertising than on making quality products. Do your research and make sure the product you’re buying is current. The situation is always changing, but make sure you know what you’re getting and who you’ll call if it turns out to be a dud.

5. Let someone else be the guinea pig.

I have tested materials and products on my own house over the years so I can vouch for them in my work. If you are not in the business, you should be buying products that have been well regarded for many years.

6. Buy local.

There are many reasons to buy local and support your region’s economy, but two big ones have to do with shipping. Make sure to factor in the cost of shipping when pricing out materials. A local vendor will usually not charge extra for shipping, and you can schedule the delivery. Shipments of online purchases can result in headaches if no one is around when a big, heavy delivery shows up.

7. Buy salvaged. 

You can often get better-quality building materials with more character for less money by buying salvaged. You will pay more in labor, but once again, this is an opportunity to support your community.

8. Buy extra.

“Waste” is the term we use for extra materials ordered, because the cutoffs usually end up as just that (unless they’re recycled). The best way to figure out how much waste to order is by following a manufacturer’s or installer’s recommendations.

9. Have someone else check your work.

Before you approve a special order, especially for windows and doors, have someone else familiar with the job look over the order. You can’t send a custom door back because you didn’t notice they got the door swing wrong or because the window is designed for 2-by-4 walls, not 2-by-6.

10. Buy early.

Stopping work to wait for materials to arrive is costly. Double the lead time you were told and you’ll usually be safe. Delays happen all the time. If the materials are onsite, the contractor can check measurements and answer questions that the spec sheet doesn’t address.

If you’re thinking about building a new home give this a read: https://parkerscustombuilders.com/the-cost-to-build-a-new-home/

Do you hate the idea of moving out of the area just because your home lacks the space or quality your family really needs?

7 Reasons Why Homeowners Choose Renovation Over Relocation

Renovating your home can be a hassle. But so can packing up and moving. If you’re unhappy with your current home, you may be trying to decide between investing money into improvements or buying a new home that might already offer your desired amenities.

It’s not an easy decision to make, but a new study by Houzz reveals some of the top reasons homeowners are choosing to renovate rather than relocate.

Here are several that could influence your decision.

1. Wanting to stay in the same home

This one’s not groundbreaking — most homeowners who opt for renovating over moving do so because they want to keep the home they’re used to. But there’s a financial angle to consider here as well as an emotional one. When you buy a new home, you open the door to a world of unknown, potentially costly upkeep and repairs, whereas if you stay in the home you’re used to living in, those costs are more predictable. And there’s certainly some value there.

2. Wanting to personalize a home

Renovating offers a great opportunity to personalize your home and enjoy features that may be hard to find elsewhere. If you move in an attempt to capture those features, they may not end up being exactly what you want, at which point you’re paying for something you don’t fully benefit from.

3. Wanting to stay in the same neighborhood

There’s something to be said for getting used to a specific neighborhood, with its amenities, shops, and traffic patterns. Moving means dealing with a host of changes, some of which may be easier to adjust to than others. Furthermore, if you’re a family with school-aged kids, moving to a new home could mean leaving your school district and having your young ones start fresh in a new one. That can be extremely disruptive, both socially and academically.

4. Renovating is more affordable

Many homeowners find that paying for home improvements is more affordable than buying a new home. Whether this rings true for you will depend on the specifics of the work at hand, but keep in mind that there’s always a cost to moving, as well as closing costs associated with taking out a new mortgage. And if you use a real estate agent to sell your home so you can move to a new one, you’ll likely be on the hook for a sizeable fee. As such, it’s easy to see how renovating can often be the more cost-effective option.

5. Renovating is a better return on investment

If you’re planning to enjoy your home for a number of years, you may not be so concerned with its resale value — but you should be. You never know when you might have to move unexpectedly, so it also pays to be mindful of return on investment — and in many cases, renovating an existing home offers better value in that regard.

6. Wanting to be involved in a home project

Some people can’t wait to get their hands dirty and dive into home improvement projects. Others, however, would much rather throw money at the problem. If you’re in the former camp, then renovating could prove far more enjoyable — and much less stressful — than embarking on a full-fledged house hunt.

7. Needing specific features

If you’re in need of specific features, a new home may not offer them. For example, if you’re after a certain brand of kitchen appliances or want a sauna in your basement, which is hardly common, you may have no choice but to renovate yourself. If you attempt to find those features elsewhere, it could make for a very long, frustrating home search.

Ultimately, cost will likely play a big role in the decision of whether to renovate versus buy new. But if you’re struggling with that choice, consider these upsides of renovating, especially if you mostly enjoy living in your home and agree that it has the potential to be upgraded into your ideal living space.