Room additions are some of the most expensive home improvements you can make, and it’s easy to get swept up in all the different things you could add. But it’s essential to keep your budget in mind. There are many ways to improve the look of your home without going into debt and adding tons of expensive extras.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your space without going over budget.
1. Plan and Prioritize
Before you even begin your addition project, you should clearly know your budget and the amount of space you need. It can be very tempting to get carried away with the possibilities and add too much to your home.
Professionals recommend looking at your whole house and figuring out the areas you need to improve. From there, make a list of your priorities.
You should also figure out the correct space for each room instead of simply making it more prominent. Remember that you’ll need more than just square footage—you’ll need to add things like closet space, storage, and appliances.
When it comes to planning and prioritizing, consider the following:
- Which rooms are essential and which are luxury rooms?
- Which rooms can you downsize to save money?
- How will your family use each room, and how much space do they need?
- How much time do you have every day to spend in each room?
- What kind of design style do you want to incorporate, and how much will it cost?
2. Consider Renovations
The good news is that rather than building a whole new room, it’s possible to remodel the space in your existing home. This is always a less expensive option and can be a great way to give your living spaces extra functionality without breaking the bank.
Things like converting a garage into an additional room, expanding a deck or patio into a space that can be used year-round, and opening up walls to open up your living spaces are all renovation ideas that you might consider using instead of adding on.
3. Look for New Design Ideas
You can often find new ideas from homeowners who have used similar room additions. Always make sure you look through many different design websites, home magazines, and books for inspiration.
You may even want to visit a showroom of dream homes to see what other homeowners are doing with their home additions.
Once you’ve figured out how much space your existing house has and how many rooms your family will need, it’s time to consider alternative designs that work within your budget.
4. Have a Set Budget
Once you know exactly how much you want to spend, it’s important to create a budget and stick to it. It’s okay to change your mind about certain things, but you must remain realistic from the beginning. Setting aside an exact amount of cash will keep things organized and make it easier for you to save for future projects that arise.
It’s always a good idea to add on more than what you initially project because there are always extra costs. Add on extra cash just in case something unexpected pops up in the middle of your addition project.
5. Buy Materials in Bulk
Certain materials are always cheaper when you order them in bulk instead of buying them individually. If you usually buy these items individually, order enough that you won’t need to restock them anytime soon. This will keep your spending low and add up over time.
6. Contact a Professional
Professional contractors will help you determine the cost of materials and the exact amount of labor involved and estimate how much it will all cost. Then you can go back to your budget and determine how much to spend based on your original goal.
Getting a small room addition may seem like a great way to get the extra space you need, but it can also be expensive. So you must have a good idea of what you want in terms of design and functionality; it will be much easier for you to find a home that can accommodate your needs.
Contact a professional contractor for an estimate on how much the project will cost, and then work with your budget from there. This way, you’ll avoid any unexpected costs along the way.