Building a new home is an exciting event. Many people save for decades before building their first house. It’s a great investment, and it’s the place where you’ll raise your family.
It’s also very expensive. Especially when the builder suggests items that will make your home even more luxurious. But these features don’t come cheap.
This article takes a look at builder upgrades to avoid in order to save money on construction costs. Keep reading to learn DIY home upgrades that you can do yourself at a fraction of the price.
1. Cabinet Hardware
High quality hardware in your home is an easier way to make your cabinets look amazing. Few things class up the look of a kitchen or bathrooms as quickly as door pulls, etc.
Fortunately, cabinet hardware requires zero skill to install. All it takes is a screwdriver and a little time.
This is an area of home construction where you can save money in the short term, and then make the upgrade down the line when you have the funds to invest in something a little fancier.
Basic, inexpensive hardware will still look good. So there’s no shame in saving a few bucks now. The key is to focus on buying what you need, and then indulging in upgrade bling when finances aren’t as tight.
Hardwood flooring is a another DIY project that will save you money when you’re ready to renovate. Check out this link to learn everything you need to know.
2. Kitchen Appliances
When you’re building a new home, it’s easy to get distracted by all the fancy appliances at your local home improvement super store.
There’s never been a better time to find amazing products with mind-blowing features. Advances in technology have truly taken kitchen appliances to the next level. And yet this is also an area where you can cut costs by investing in more budget-friendly appliances rather than top of line options.
Try to resist being seduced by all the shiny toys and cool features. Stick with what you need. Save your money.
Keep your eyes on the fact that appliances are designed to do simple tasks like keep your food cold and wash your dishes. Everything else is unnecessary and expensive.
That space age washer and dryer combo at Home Depot might be calling to you, but you’ll spend a fraction of that amount on a set that will do the same job without putting a strain on your bank account.
Fancy appliances are fun, but so is saving money. So be smart and stay focused on cutting costs rather than buying toys.
3. Interior Paint
Everything a building contractor implements costs you money. And yet not every job on a new house requires the skills of a construction professional.
Painting the interior of your home is one of those tasks. Painting is relatively easy and fun. Thus you really don’t need to hire a professional crew or invest in a top quality paint when starting out.
This is actually a fairly simply DIY job. All you need is a few supplies and the willingness to invest your own sweat equity. And don’t feel pressured into buying expensive paint when a moderately-priced product will look great.
Even if you don’t want to do the job yourself, you can save money by selecting an economical brand of paint, and then simply upgrade to something you like better at some point in the future.
4. Lighting
Lighting is another area of your home where you can save money now and worry about upgrades later.
Again, it’s easy to find yourself dazzled by all the amazing light fixtures at your local super store. There’s literally no limit to the amount of money you can spend.
The problem is, those dazzling light fixtures tend to be expensive. And yet they add very little to your quality of life. They might add visual appeal to a room, but the cost-benefit ratio is rather low.
Lights can easily be upgraded. You don’t need a professional to do the job, so start with basic fixtures, then do the upgrade yourself once the cheap versions have lost their luster.
5. Fixtures
Other fixtures you might want to upgrade at a later date include ceiling fans and bathroom fixtures such as faucets.
Many people make the mistake of sinking lots of cash into items that they don’t really need, which could have easily been upgraded long after the construction of their home.
Luxury bathroom fixtures certainly help make a home look amazing, and yet you shouldn’t be afraid to start small and work your way up when you’re better able to afford it.
6. Countertops
There’s no denying that gorgeous countertops in your bathrooms and kitchen can add aesthetic beauty and increase the value of your home. In fact, this is one of the top ways realtors suggest boosting the price of a house when you’re preparing to put it on the market.
And yet this is another opportunity to save money at the time of construction. You might love the look of marble or granite, but starting with a more affordable material might be the better option.
7. Landscaping
Now let’s discuss landscaping. You might want your lawn to look perfect the minute you move into your new home, but you can save money by taking your time and doing the work yourself.
Landscaping professionals are great at what they do, but there’s no reason to hire a pro when you can handle this DIY job yourself. After all, you’ll be able to take pride in getting your hands dirty and turning your yard into the kind of colorful paradise you’ve always dreamed of.
Expensive Builder Upgrades to Avoid
Building a home is exciting yet expensive. That’s why learning ways to save money on construction costs is so important. This list of builder upgrades to avoid will help you save money while building your dream home.
If you found this article informative, be sure to check out the rest of our website for more home improvement tips.
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