There’s no sugarcoating it: home improvement projects can be costly. For some homeowners, it might require months of budgeting and saving for their project to turn their house into the home of their dreams. Before starting your project, consider what you’re looking to get out of the project. Are you looking for a small upgrade to give your home a quick refresh, or are you looking to make a major change to your home’s layout? No matter the project you choose, it’s important to be aware of the potential cost of your project to ensure the price is within your budget. So how should you create the budget for your project? Our home improvement experts are here to help.

Determine Your Goals

Before creating a budget, it’s important to consider your goals for your project: are you looking to boost your home’s curb appeal? Lower your energy bills? Expand your living space? Keep in mind the larger the goal, the higher the cost. Some projects may seem small on paper, but they could require major changes to your home’s layout that increase the costs. For example, you might want to knock down a wall in your kitchen to open your living space, but that could require changes to your plumbing and electric. To keep costs low, consider smaller renovation projects instead of major remodeling projects. Upgrading your tub or kitchen appliances might be better than remodeling your entire bathroom or kitchen. You might also consider breaking up your projects into smaller, more manageable projects – for example, if you’re looking to replace your windows, consider replacing a few at a time instead of replacing all the windows in your home at once. You’ll ease the burden on your wallet while still achieving your home improvement goals.

Do Your Research

Materials

Research is key before starting your project. Be sure to consider all options for your project before making any final decisions. Keep an open mind when looking at all the options for your project: while you might love the look of wood windows, you might find vinyl windows are a better fit for your home. Some materials are also more expensive than others. If you’re looking to keep costs low, consider using cost-efficient materials instead of high-end materials that will cause the price of your project to increase.

Return on Investment

Return on investment, or ROI, is key to the decision-making process. Be sure to look at the potential return for all the projects you’re considering, particularly if you’re looking to put your home on the market. While the cost of your project might seem high, you may be able to recoup some of the money you spent when it comes time to sell your home. Garage door replacement, vinyl window replacement, and vinyl siding replacement offer some of the highest return on investment at 94%, 72%, and 75% respectively. Most remodels, however, offer significantly lower returns, averaging just 55% return on investment.

Get Quotes

Once you’ve identified the best project for your home, it’s important to get quotes from licensed contractors get an idea of how much your project will cost. Experts recommend getting three quotes for your project to get an idea of how much you will be spending. While the cost may seem high at first, many companies offer attractive promotions and financing offers to help lower the cost of your project. In order to get the best deal, we recommend starting your project during an off-peak time, as many companies offer major deals to generate more business. For most companies, summer and winter are the best times to buy, as demand increases in the spring and fall. When collecting quotes, it’s important to note that the company with lowest price might not be the best fit for your project. Though the price might be a better fit for your budget, it might result in a lower quality product, poor installation, or spotty customer service.

Want to Learn More About our Windows?

When you’re ready to start your home improvement project, schedule an estimate with one of our exterior design consultants. Our team will discuss your project with you and go over your options so you can find the best windows and  doors for your home. You’ll then receive a quote good for up to six months. Schedule your in-home estimate today at WindowNation.com.