On a Budget: How to Renovate Without Going Over Budget

1. Electrical Wiring and Outlets

Professional electrician services with recommendations and guarantees will have almost no impact on the overall renovation cost. However, attempting to do everything yourself without proper qualifications or hiring a cheaper worker may result in a disaster. Unreliable wiring and poorly designed access to electricity can lead to the need to repair walls after destructive consequences from drilling.

It's best to contact a company that provides an engineer’s services—someone who can assess the existing network’s functionality, design it from scratch if needed, and guarantee work quality under contract.

2. Construction Crew

Poorly executed renovation work often becomes one of the most expensive issues. Serious technical errors can result in additional costs for materials and labor, plus demolition expenses. Choosing a crew and foreman should be done with the utmost care—experienced builders are not just laborers but also valuable advisors.

If you can’t get recommendations from a reliable source, check the crew’s portfolio, sign a contract, and pay after work completion, dividing the project into stages. Refunds for advance payments are rarely possible.

3. Flat Walls and Floors

These are essential for high-quality finishing, easy furniture installation, and proper appliance operation. While leveling walls and floors may seem expensive, it’s worth the investment. Smooth surfaces make DIY or hired work much easier: painting, wallpapering, laying linoleum, laminate, or parquet becomes far less problematic. Use a professional level to determine if the work is necessary.

4. Quality Windows and Doors

Durable front doors and properly installed thermal windows typically last many years without losing performance. Even minor failures here cause major inconvenience, and poor quality reduces energy efficiency, increasing heating costs. Cutting corners on door security is a risk that’s hard to justify. Interior doors, even budget models, perform well if installed properly and used carefully. Replacements are easy without major damage.

5. Kitchen Furniture

Keep in mind: very low prices often hide poor quality of hardware and materials. Such purchases may result in peeling finishes, water-resistant surfaces, sagging doors, broken handles, and other issues. But overpaying for expensive wood or natural stone under a tight budget is equally unwise. The easiest way to cut costs is to reduce spending on dining areas.

7 Tips to Save Money Without Regrets – Important Details You Should Know:

1. Use high-quality washable emulsion paint for walls. This finish is easier and cheaper to renew than plaster or wallpaper. Remember: the cost per square meter of good paint is significantly lower than that of cheap paint.

2. Don’t buy expensive light fixtures or chandeliers. Budget models illuminate rooms just as well.

3. Ready-made curtains cost much less than custom salon orders. It only takes a little time to find a suitable option by length and design.

4. If you love frequently changing your interior—don’t buy expensive furniture at all. Many manufacturers (e.g., IKEA) produce items with a 3–5 year lifespan, designed for users who don’t need furniture to pass on as heirlooms.

5. Choose soft furniture with removable covers. This is especially important in homes with pets and children.

6. To reduce your bed purchase budget without sacrificing comfort—buy a low-cost frame (often sold separately) and pair it with a high-quality orthopedic mattress.

7. Feel free to buy discounted items if they’re from a trusted brand. In other cases, there’s a reason to suspect the seller of misleading marketing, so spend more time checking product specs.