Do you ever look around your home and feel stressed by the sheer amount of work that still needs doing? Most homeowners have long lists of household jobs, and some of those tasks remain undone for years. Reasons for this obviously vary, but we often put off getting our houses the way we want them because we’re worried about the toll major improvements would have on our household finances.
But what if we told you that certain high-priority tasks needn’t actually cost as much as you’re expecting, even without DIY? Of course, you can ultimately end up spending a lot on any project, but here are three jobs that you might have been falsely assuming are out of your budget when they needn’t be. Let’s look at what they are.
# 1 – Kitchen Renovation
According to Google, an average kitchen renovation in Australia will set you back anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000. That’s an instant no to any cost-conscious homeowner, but bear in mind that these prices are typically based on complete custom renovations that inevitably cost more.
Luckily, there is a far more affordable option, and it comes in the form of prefab setups. Installation and basic materials for kitchens like these can be as little as a few grand if you know where to shop. Equally, you can keep costs down with new cupboards but old countertops, or by building that new kitchen around your existing appliances, all of which will knock so much from your overall budget that a new kitchen could feel a lot more easily within reach!
# 2 – Window Replacement
Our next renovation task is window replacement. According to Google, this is a job that could cost you up to $25,000 for a three-bed house. But if you’re thinking that figure seems high, you would be right. In reality, there are far more affordable windows out there, and choosing these means that even whole-house replacements needn’t set your finances on fire.
It’s also worth noting that, sometimes, you might not need window replacements for your entire home. If just one of your windows is failing, then there’s really nothing wrong with paying for a singular like-for-like replacement. Even if you need to do this for a few different window fittings, it can really keep costs down to get selective.
# 3 – Complete Redecoration
Even without professional help, redecorating a whole house can get costly. This may see you avoiding decoration altogether, but it’s entirely possible to keep costs down here, too. Obviously, tackling the task yourself instead of seeking professional help is your best first step here.
It’s also worth choosing similar colour schemes across rooms. This will allow you to buy your paint in bulk and stick with the same supplies throughout. Then, you can add individual room variations via things like soft furnishing and finishing decor touches for a fraction of the price you’d pay otherwise.
Are you putting off these tasks because you imagine they’re out of your budget? Perhaps it’s time to think again.
*Disclosure: This is a collaborative post
The Busy Papa
Also known as Aaron, The Busy Papa focuses on lifestyle, parenting and personal wellbeing content. He has two decades experience in creative writing (including several published poems) and strongly dislikes (though tolerates) tomatoes.