BOULDER, CO, Apr 26, 2024—Home improvement is always a costly endeavor. However, according to Phil Boren, Broker Associate of RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc., if you plan ahead, you can save yourself some money, and a couple of headaches along the way.
1. Plan ahead. “The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to make hasty—and costly—decisions down the road,” says Boren. Choose the time of year you want to start your project and do your research on the best professionals for the job.
“You may also want to pursue your home improvement in stages, if you can’t afford to pay for the entire project at once,” says Boren. If your construction project is large, try isolating construction areas so you can avoid long hotel stays or too many take-out meals while the kitchen is being revamped.
2. Create a realistic budget. Decide on the items and materials you would like to have in a room. “Then,” Boren suggests, “choose less expensive products that will help you achieve the look you’re trying to obtain.”
3. Scrutinize your design. To save costs, avoid labor intensive design features, such as tiled floors. “You can also do some prep work or detailing yourself, like trim work when painting,” says Boren. This will save the money you would have to pay for a professional to do the job
4. Leave room for the unexpected. The experts suggest setting aside 10-20 percent of your budget to cover unforeseen problems and miscellaneous charges. While this may seem like a hefty percent, you will appreciate the wiggle room when that material you have your heart set on rises in price.
5. Find discounted material. When possible, purchase surplus, secondhand, or discounted materials from other contractors, warehouses or classified websites like www.build.recylce.net to reduce costs.
For more real estate information, please contact RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. at philboren@gmail.com, 303-441-5647, or RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc.. Phil Boren is a 26-year veteran real estate Broker and Realtor, specializing in consulting with buyers and sellers in Boulder, CO and along the Front Range of Northern Colorado. Held Real Estate Broker's license in Texas, California and Colorado; Managing Broker for over 200 agents and Brokers for Century 21 and RE/MAX franchises. Award-winning Realtor with experience in management, sales, marketing, relocation, appraisal, REO, BPO's, foreclosures, short sales; previously held the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. Experienced in both residential and commercial real estate and achieved the No. 14 individual ranking in the 5-state, Mt. States Region for RE/MAX International in 2001, based on sales volume. Received my BSBA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a 4-year starter and 4-year football letterman for Hall-of-Fame coach, Lou Holtz.