Working with a budget can make you cringe and run away or you can embrace it. Embracing the budget will give you the freedom to indulge in the things you really want while managing the things can save you money.
"A budget isn't restricting its empowering"
Know your numbers
There is nothing worse than finishing your house or renovation and you have spent too much money on stuff you can't see and have no money left over for what you can see.
Working with a construction budget will give you the power to see where your money is going and make sure you get what you want without skimping on what you need.
Whether its a small do it yourself project or a large construction project make a budget so you know where you are and where you can save. Large projects will provide a construction budget for you but always check it and know where you are and examine each category.
When we build our own house I know there are areas where I can save so I can add those extra details at the end that I love like a new table or special light fixture.
Here are 5 surprising areas where you can save on your construction budget
First up your Roof - This isn't to say you want a cheap roof just make sure you are not adding extra design details you can't see and that might eat up your construction budget. Before you splurge on a design detail think to yourself can I see it or can I see it only in a drone shot. Sometimes a metal roof is on the drawings but you have to think that while you love the look when looking at overhead pictures on Pinterest you might not even see your roof and metal can cost two to three times as much. An asphalt roof is the least expensive but provided from a reputable company with a warranty it can last 25 years for half the cost of other materials.
Secondly your Windows - bigger isn't always better. During the design stage its important to think about the sizes and styles of your windows; bigger can be better but it can also be very expensive and remember to add to in the cost of window coverings too. Again like your roof you don't want cheap but a reputable company can provide a wide variety of standard options without getting into custom sizes. The placement not the size is key to whether you capture light or not, architects at the turn of the last century were famous for sitting on ladders watching the sun move across the site to anticipate where they would place the windows to capture the best light. Try to choose standard sizes and always think about how you are covering that window later. Choose a reputable company with a warranty to ensure longevity and peace of mind.
Bonus tip unless you have purchased windows that are meant to be stained or painted, painting your vinyl white window frames black can nullify your warranty.
Choose Easy, the third area where you can save is on complex framing. During the design process work choose easy lines and save. Exterior curves, angles, and bumps outs can cost money and affect your construction budget. You have to decide whether you need it or can you achieve the same architectural interest with changes to exterior materials and simple lines.
Bonus tip when in the design phase try and make it stacked ie line up the structure so the top floors match the bottom floors, don’t cantilever wider top floors over lower levels.
Number 4 is often a forgotten area, its site prep and landscaping - these are generally places where you can make your budget too skimpy and results in overages. Or you can spend too much on site prep and regret taking out too much landscaping and have to put it all back at the end.
Site prep and landscaping go hand in hand because when you prepare the site for a new house or extension it directly impacts how much you landscape at the end if the project. Don’t have a team come in and clear everything and then have to replant at the end for landscaping. Choose carefully where your house is situated and how it will impact the natural environment. You might be able to save on digging or blasting by altering the design or placement of the house. Remember lots of places now have fees for remove rock and materials off your site, talk to your city about these fees and don't forget about trucking fees too. Taking time to think about the site will ensure you don't overspend on site prep or landscaping.
Bonus tip: Reducing site impact is better for Mother Earth and better on your pocket book.
And finally Be the Leader. Lead the budget where your vision takes you, don't get caught up in every tradesperson's or contractor's opinion. Your contractor may have fallen in love with a new product or the tile sales person could have a winning way but unless it matters to the quality of your build or the design vision you have don't get lost in the sales pitch.
Your final result is not necessarily how much you spend but how you manage your construction budget; finding ways to save so you can splurge will ensure you love what you see when you are all done!