Taking on a home construction project is one of the bigger investments you can make for your property, regardless of the type of task. While you likely have an idea of the expenses you are facing with your next project, there are a few simple construction tips you can take that may very well reduce your overall costs.
5 Construction Tips
If you’re interested in completing your home construction project with a little extra green in your pocket, you’re in the right place. It’s true that each home project is different—but these five tips can be applied to projects both big and small.
Go Over Each Line Beforehand
If you have your project planned and lined up, you have likely already set your budget and allocated certain amounts for each part of the job to reach your overall total. Even if so, it is still beneficial to go through each line of your budget and break down each and every aspect to make sure you are spending the appropriate amount of money.
Careful scrutiny over your project’s plans can reveal any inconsistencies or factors you may have missed. This gives you the opportunity to thoroughly analyze each expense, deciding on whether it is even necessary, or if there is a cheaper way to do it.
DIY as Much as You Can
Many homeowners have at least a basic knowledge of handywork skills. If that sounds like yourself, you may as well put those skills to use. Handling some of the easier parts of the project yourself before hiring contractors can help you trim down your expenses, saving you from labor costs while also speeding up the project as a whole.
Now, you should not get carried away and convince yourself that you can handle things you are not qualified for, but there are numerous smaller tasks you can complete yourself with some basic tools. Take advantage of it. Online tutorials and videos are a great resource if you need some guidance, and there are plenty available.
Handle Preparation and Demolition Yourself
Are you having a new deck installed? Perhaps you are adding a new room to the edge of your home? Sure, you can leave everything as is and rely on your contractors to do the job from start to finish, or you can handle some of the prep work yourself.
Tearing down existing structures and walls is much easier than building them, so you may be able to do it on your own beforehand. The same goes for cleaning up debris from your project area, or even leveling off the soil as best you can. This reduces the amount of time your contractors will bill you, and also gives the timeline a head start.
Source Your Own Materials
Contractors will generally provide all the materials needed for your project, unless you specify otherwise. Supplying your own materials for your project can not only save you money, but also give you a chance to be particular. This can include everything from a simple doorknob, to an entire door itself. Surplus stores and sales at home improvement stores are great places to find deals on construction materials. Shop around, the savings will add up — especially if the project is on the larger side of the spectrum.
Trim Size
Reevaluating your project’s size may reveal some leeway when it comes to scaling back the size a bit. While it may not seem like much, reducing the size can end up saving you a significant amount of money. For example, if you are planning on having a room addition to your home, trimming a foot off of each side of the room will save on materials, and may even ensure a faster construction process.
If you can deal with smaller sizes, take advantage of it. You’ll end up with a smaller bill in the end, and may even save on energy costs over time.
Contact Dirt Connections Today for Your Project Needs!
Dirt Connections’ team of experienced contractors is ready to assist you with your next home construction project. We specialize in room additions, bathroom remodeling, and a variety of other remodeling and renovation services. Our years of experience and unrivaled expertise allows us to take on each project with full confidence, while assuring you of a perfect job each and every time. Whether you are seeking to add more kitchen space, or want to add a new bedroom to your home, Dirt Connections is here to help. Contact us today to find out how we can make your home project a reality.