Cost Savings Ideas
- Prioritize your wants and needs - make a list of what is most important to you to what is least important - this is a very useful tool for this process.
- Finalize your decisions (as much as possible) and provide final specifications and plans to the builder to estimate upon. It is impossible to get to a tight number until all details are finalized.
- Let the builder bring the subcontractors in to survey the project and provide written estimates on the final plans and specifications. Their numbers will be tighter at this point.
- Can you phase the project? A project may be separated into two or more logical phases that can be accomplished in a sequence over time.
- Reuse existing materials where possible (and feasible)
- Plumbing fixtures (low flow alternative may be better)
- Windows & Doors (if energy efficient)
- Wainscoting & moldings (if not covered with lead paint)
- Install energy efficient systems and look at the payback in savings over current systems - a new high efficiency boiler, energy efficient windows, extra insulation can save on energy bills in the long run
- Reduce the size - square footage reduction of total work area including new space and renovated space
- Reduce the scope - eliminate specific areas of work such as a bathroom, a porch or a deck
- Eliminate excavation and new foundation work - work within the existing footprint, go up, cantilever out
- Alter materials selections - there is often a less costly alternative, investigate options.
- Eliminate unnecessary details that add finishing steps:
- Pre-painted or primed materials can save on painting
- Each individual piece of molding adds finish time and materials
- Cathedral, tray or coffered ceilings add cost over flat ceilings
- Homeowner direct responsibilities - ask the builder if they are willing to let you handle these end of project tasks directly:
- Painting
- Landscaping
- Final cleaning