It might be time to upgrade your southern Maryland home, but a lack of budget is limiting your options. There are some useful strategies that can help you maximize your budget. While you might not have the luxury of doing a full-scale remodel, you can still achieve impressive results. The key is knowing how and where to spend what you do have available. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Set Expectations

Start by getting clear on what your budget is, realistically. After that, set some expectations for the project(s) you’re taking on. Factoring in your budget, and the strategies you plan to use to complete the work, allows you to get a sense of what’s actually possible. Beginning with practical expectations helps you stay within your budget and helps you avoid disappointment later on.

Be Strategic

Think about where you can get the most return on your investment. If the goal is an all-over home facelift, surface upgrades like fresh coats of paint and new textiles can make a big impression. If you want to make your home fit your family and lifestyle better, prioritize the updates and improvements you want to make, then work down the list as your budget allows.

Go Thrifting

New furniture can be expensive, but if you’re willing to put in the legwork, thrifted furniture can be a terrific option. You can find unique pieces that will really stand out or pieces that you can refurbish to meet your needs. This also goes for doorknobs, cabinet and drawer pulls, artwork, lamps, and outdoor furniture. Visiting your local flea markets and thrift stores can save you an impressive amount of money while also giving you the opportunity to find quality, one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.

Be Realistic About DIY

The key to successful DIY-ing is knowing when to do it yourself and when to call in the professionals. If you want to update the paint color, create some artwork, or sand and paint furniture, these can all be achieved with minimal skill and carry relatively little risk. If you don’t have the experience or knowledge to do a specific project, DIY-ing can often become very expensive. Factor this into your budget. If you need to do electrical or plumbing work, for instance, and don’t have the experience, get a quote from a few local professionals to see what’s possible. You should DIY when you can, but don’t risk damaging the house or creating more expensive, budget-draining problems to contend with.

Utilize Your Community

Finally, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Maybe a professional paint job isn’t in the budget, but a cookout for some friends and family with paintbrushes is. Reaching out to your community for a little assistance and rewarding them with a home-cooked meal is almost always more affordable — and a lot more fun — than stretching your budget to the limit.

 

With some strategic planning you can do any number of renovations within your budget; whatever that may be.

 

If you’d like to talk more about any of these ideas, or if you’d like a recommendation for an experienced, local handyman or contractor, please reach out. I’m always happy to help.