Whether you choose to do everything yourself or hire a professional, there are ways to cut costs on your home renovations.
1) Tester
Testers vary quite a bit in price, so shop around; sometimes manufacturers can help you find where you can buy them at the cheapest price. For example, Dulux testers are £2.45 each at Homebase and B&Q, and £1.99 on the Wilko website, but all three companies charge a few pounds for home delivery. On the Dulux website, testers are £2.38 each, with free postage and packaging if you order three or more. If you live close enough to get free click and collect, Wilko is your best option price-wise, but if not, Dulux has the best offer.
2) Wallpaper
Look for wallpaper samples that you can upcycle, or look for leftover wallpaper or rolls on sites like Freecycle or Etsy. Some companies will charge for samples, while others will provide a limited number of samples for free and charge you for shipping.
3) Do some research
Most wallpapers, fabrics and carpets aren't only available at one retailer. Once you find a retailer you like, type their name into Google and explore their different offers. Make sure you're comparing like for like – take into account shipping costs and, in the case of curtains, make sure they have the same lining. Also, if the item wasn't made to order and you want to return it, consider how easy it will be to return it and how much it will cost.
4) Paint
Unless you're really good at judging how much you need, consider buying lots of small cans instead of one big one. It will cost more at first, but it may be cheaper in the long run if you return the unopened cans. It will also help keep your cans cleaner, as when you open a can the paint can start to harden on the lid and crumble back into the can, especially if you're doing several painting jobs over the weekend.
5) Documents and emails
Keep your receipts in a safe place. It's easy to lose things in the hustle and bustle of work, but having a place to keep your documents and saving your emails will help you get refunded for things you don't need.
Before you shop, check out Screwfix, Toolstation and Builder Depot, which have a great range of tools and materials at great prices. You can also check their stock online, and Screwfix and Toolstation offer additional discounts on their apps and accounts.
7) Accessories
When buying items that require accessories, don't buy them all from the same place. Take doors, for example, it may be cheaper to get them from a shop like Screwfix than to add hinges and latches when ordering from a door company. Similarly, the place you buy your sink may not be the cheapest supplier of the tap you need, but don't forget to factor in shipping costs when comparing prices.
8) Brush
Don't skimp on brushes. Cheap brushes tend to shed and get tangled in paint, making them difficult to remove. Good brushes will last a long time if properly cleaned after use. Check your paint can before use for proper cleaning instructions. Oil-based paints require a solvent such as white spirit, methylated alcohol, or a similar brush cleaner.
9) Sandpaper
Coarse sandpaper can be made less rough by sanding it with other sandpaper. There are six main grades of sandpaper “grit” from coarse to extra fine. If you have medium “80 grit” sandpaper, you can quickly make it 100 grit or higher by simply rubbing it with another piece of sandpaper. If you only need a few pieces, this will be cheaper than buying an entire roll or pack.
10) Bathroom facilities
Avoid buying the cheapest taps, traps and shower bars you can afford – buying from established manufacturers who use or sell standard spare parts such as ceramic tap cartridges, thermostatic shower valves and other consumables will save you money and hassle in the long run.
11) Ready-made options
If you would rather hire a carpenter to assemble your wardrobe or cupboards, you can save money by buying pre-made. Drawers, for example, are expensive to make, but a search for “internal drawers for wardrobes” will reveal a range of options. Before throwing out your old furniture, see if you can reuse or adapt it. Instead of building cupboards from scratch, you could use an old sideboard as an alcove and build a shelf above it.
12) Insurance
When you store your things, the company you use will usually require you to buy insurance. Don't automatically sign up for that company's insurance; there are usually separate policies that offer more protection for less money. For example, Surewise and Store Insure will insure your belongings while they're being transported to the storage location, but Access and Big Yellow's policies don't. Get quotes from storage companies and compare them with third-party quotes before you buy. You can arrange it online at the last minute.