How to save on Renovation Costs (6 Realistic Tips)

3 min read

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Key Takeaways

Homeowners can save on renovation costs by finding renovators who can work within their budget instead of firms with higher minimum budget requirements.
Costly renovation works usually include carpentry, masonry, and finishing touches, so homeowners should prioritise necessary features first.
Cheaper alternatives, renovation packages, main contractor services, and sub-contractors can reduce renovation costs, but each option comes with trade-offs.

Tables of Content

1. Find Renovators that Can Work Within Your Budget

This is the most important step and one which most homeowners are unaware of.

Some Renovators have minimum budget requirements while others prefer to work with a smaller budget. As such, those who perceive your budget to be too low often try their luck by jacking up their quotations.

This is usually not stated upfront as Renovators may not want to lose the opportunity to meet or persuade you. Renovators also tend to be indirect when it comes to rejecting homeowners.

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How do I meet Specific Renovators who can work within my budget? Use HomeMatch, it’s free! 😉 This may come across as a shameless namedrop but… we’re super confident about our product.

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2. Identify the Costliest Aspect and Prioritise Accordingly

Based on our analysis, the most expensive components of most renovations are carpentry (kitchen cabinets, wardrobe etc.), masonry works (tiling, reconfiguration), and finishing touches (Painting, Windows, Doors, Bathroom fittings, False Ceilings, Lighting etc.).

Knowing this, you can prioritise on what’s necessary. Focus on pressing features like kitchen cabinets, bathroom works, and flooring.

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3. Consider Cheaper Alternatives

Most carpentry features are likely optional and can be substituted with off-the-shelf items which are ~20% more affordable in general e.g. built-in tv-consoles, shoe rack, wardrobes.

You can also seek your IDs’ advice on areas you can save costs on without over compromising on quality e.g. vinyl flooring is cheaper and yet often more durable.

Try our reno cost calculator

Get a detailed renovation cost estimate based on the exact works you need. Backed by "real-world itemised pricing"

Get Cost Estimate

4. Look for Renovation Packages

Some Interior Firms offer affordable renovation packages that helps homeowners move in at a relatively low cost. However, there’s little room for customisation and you shouldn’t expect top-notch materials.

❗ Warning: Bad actors might initially lure you into signing a low-cost package; then… jack up prices by surfacing excluded items during the renovation e.g. omission of costs such as dismantling, manpower, and, additional materials etc.

If you’re considering renovation packages, read about the pros and cons here.

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5. Opt for Main Contractor Services

If you only require straightforward works that doesn’t involve design expertise e.g. simple kitchen and toilet works, you might be able to save on the design fees by opting for main contractor services only (only some interior firms might agree to this).

However, do not underestimate the value that an Interior Designer (ID)can bring. Beyond aesthetics, an ID can value-add in areas such as space planning, material selection, pros and cons of different renovation features, cost-saving tips etc.

Find out the differences between an Interior Designer and Main Contractors (+ pros and cons)

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6. Hire your own Sub-Contractors

You can choose to coordinate the entire renovation yourself by hiring Sub-Contractors. But... if you’re uncareful, you might end up spending more or delaying your renovation timeline.

If you’re performing a major renovation, we highly recommend working with IDs or Main Contractors unless: 1) You have the time and expertise to coordinate the renovation yourself and 2) You're super confident with the technicality and sequencing of the renovation process.
If you’re considering outsourcing minor aspects to a Sub-Contractor, we strongly recommend reading up to make an informed decision.

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